bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Características físicas e químicas de ovos comerciais de codornas das linhagens japonesa e americana
Authors: Da Costa Santos Dyego , Neto Alves de Oliveira Emanuel , De Mendonça Mota Jeane Karla , Targino Dantas Renilson , Nascimento Peixoto Joana Paula
Published: May 2018

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a qualidade física e química de ovos de codorna japonesa e americana. Cem ovos de codorna (50 unidades de cada linhagem) foram analisados quanto aos parâmetros de massa individual, diâmetros longitudinal e transversal, cor (luminosidade e cromaticidade), pH, acidez, atividade de água e proteína, com avaliação da clara, gema e mix (mistura da clara e gema). Verificou-se que as maiores massas individuais foram encontradas nos ovos de codorna americana (13,56 ± 0,91 g) e, consequentemente, também os maiores diâmetros transversal (26,79 ± 0,77 mm) e longitudinal (35,18 ± 1,20 mm). Quanto à cor, a maior intensidade de luminosidade (L*) foi constatada na clara e as maiores intensidades de vermelho (+a*) e amarelo (+b*) na gema e mix, respectivamente, com diferença significativa entre as linhagens. Os maiores teores de acidez e pH foram observados nas gemas e claras, respectivamente, com diferença significativa entre ambos os ovos. Além disso, verificou-se atividade de água superior a 0,98 nos ovos, evidenciando sua necessidade de refrigeração. Os maiores teores de proteínas foram revelados na gema e os menores na clara, para ambos os ovos, com diferença significativa a 5% de probabilidade entre as linhagens. Diante dos resultados, conclui-se que existem diferenças significativas entre as características físicas e químicas de ovos de codorna japonesa e americana.
Estratégias de tratamento para lesões traumáticas de teto de vacas leiteiras
Authors: Starke Alexander , Ahlers Dirk , Ollhoff Rüdiger Daniel , Roque de Barros Filho Ivan , Hoedemaker Martina
Published: May 2018

As afecções do úbere de vacas leiteiras estão entre os maiores motivos de perdas e descarte das vacas. As lesões traumáticas do teto em vacas de leite foram superficialmente abordadas pela literatura médico-veterinária brasileira nos últimos anos, apesar da crescente tecnificação e especialização do rebanho leiteiro. Os médicos-veterinários que assistem vacas leiteiras não possuem literatura técnica em português à qual possam recorrer. Esta nota técnica reúne as experiências europeia e brasileira sobre o assunto e descreve, de maneira ilustrativa, as possíveis condutas e estratégias de tratamento diante de uma lesão traumática do teto bovino, complicada ou não por uma mastite.
Qualidade de ovos de galinha comercializados em Barreiras, BA, estocados em diferentes condições de temperatura
Authors: Gusmão de Quadros Danilo , Ribeiro de Jesus Thiago , Hideo Kanematsu Carlos , Magalhães de Sá Alberto , Vieira da Silva Guilherme Augusto , Rocha da Silva Anderson Luiz , Pereira Andrade Alexandro
Published: May 2018

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade interna de ovos vermelhos de galinha de granja comercial e de tipo caipira, mantidos sob diferentes condições de refrigeração e comercializados em supermercados, mercados de bairros e na feira livre de Barreiras, Bahia. Foram adquiridos, semanalmente (sempre no mesmo dia), 60 ovos, simulando um consumidor padrão, sendo 24 ovos vermelhos de granja comercial de dois supermercados, 24 ovos vermelhos de granja comercial de dois mercados de bairro e 12 ovos tipo caipira da feira livre. Os ovos obtidos nos diferentes estabelecimentos foram estocados sob refrigeração no fundo e na porta de um refrigerador doméstico e em temperatura ambiente. A avaliação da qualidade dos ovos foi realizada pelas determinações de peso médio do ovo, altura de albúmen, unidade Haugh, percentual do albúmene da gema. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância segundo delineamento inteiramente casualizado, considerando como significativos os valores da probabilidade do valor de F menor que 5%. Com base na qualidade interna dos ovos, concluiu-se que os mercadinhos foram os locais com a menor qualidade dos ovos comercializados, enquanto os supermercados e a feira livre mostraram maior qualidade. O ambiente refrigerado mostrou-se como o local mais adequado para a manutenção da qualidade de ovos armazenados por um período de até 14 dias.
Utilização de um antígeno comercial para o teste ELISA indireto na detecção de anticorpos contra a brucelose ovina
Authors: Coelho Greve Iuri , Costa Alves Silva Maurício , Trindade Soraya , Silva Diógenes , Mascarenhas Maria Teresa , Cerqueira Bahia Robson
Published: May 2018

O estudo avaliou o antígeno comercial Reo 198, composto de fragmentos de lipo polissacarídeos da Brucella ovis com vistas ao diagnóstico de anticorpos contra a B. ovis utilizando o teste ELISA indireto. O antígeno foi diluído a 1:200 e submetido às amostras oriundas de animais com histórico e sem manifestação clínica da enfermidade. Noventa amostras foram empregadas, sendo 45 provenientes de animais com histórico de aborto e epididimite e 45 de animais sem histórico da doença. Após padronização e determinação do ponto de corte, 448 amostras de soro ovino com histórico clínico de outras enfermidades foram submetidas ao teste visando detectar possível reação ao teste. As mesmas 90 amostras foram submetidas à Imunodifusão emgel de agarose (IDGA). O estudo da sensibilidade e especificidade demonstrou um bom desempenho do teste com percentuais de 100% e 95,6%, respectivamente. Das 448 amostras submetidas ao ELISA padronizado, 11 foram reagentes ao teste, mas não reagentes ao IDGA.
O FUTURO DAS PRÁTICAS DE INTERDISCIPLINARIDADE NA ESCOLA
Authors: Garcia Joe
Published: May 2018

Este artigo apresenta um estudo analítico sobre possíveis direções futuras das práticas de interdisciplinaridade na escola, no contexto da Educação Básica. Para essa finalidade, exploramos um conjunto de proposições conceituais encontradas nos textos de alguns dos principais teóricos da interdisciplinaridade na atualidade, tais como Gusdorf (1977), Lenoir (1997), Fazenda (1998, 1994) e Klein (2010), bem como analisamos as práticas de interdisciplinaridade descritas por Katz e Chard (1989), Klein (1990, 1998), Beane (1997), Fazenda (1991) e Lenoir (2006). Para o desenvolvimento metodológico do estudo proposto, utilizamos uma forma de análise conceitual baseada em uma abordagem proposta de Coombs e Daniels (1991). Essa forma de análise derivativa permite distinguir, com base em uma leitura interpretativa de textos teóricos ou descrições de práticas pedagógicas, proposições e representações articuladas a um determinado elemento conceitual - neste caso a noção de interdisciplinaridade. Entre as considerações finais do artigo, destacamos o papel dos conceitos de integração e de transdisciplinaridade, como fontes de proposições para pensar possíveis direções futuras das práticas de interdisciplinaridade na escola.
Estágios Básicos: como as práticas profissionais e as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais repercutem na formação e atuação do psicólogo
Authors: Worciekowski Carla Fabiane , Pizzinato Adolfo Pizzinato
Published: May 2018

Atualmente, a perspectiva de educação continuada pressupõe uma formação profissional permanente em sintonia com as “práticas” profissionais. Este artigo discute o reflexo das modificações propostas com a abertura das Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais (DNC) na formação do psicólogo brasileiro, mediante projetos pedagógicos que enfatizam a formação generalista a partir de uma experiência na formação. Ao propor a capacidade crítica dos fenômenos socioculturais inseridos em diferentes campos de atuação profissional que ampliem as possibilidades de circulação e construção de saberes e práticas do psicólogo, investigam-se os desdobramentos destas diretrizes ao desenvolver práticas psicológicas em contextos de atuação coletiva para além dos já tradicionais. Partindo da experiência de supervisão em um curso de Psicologia em implantação, pesquisa-se quais desafios e alternativas se apresentam e são ofertadas, e a inserção dos estudantes em estágios básicos de formação, antecipando a prática e entendendo que esta modalidade faz-se necessária diante das novas demandas da profissão, muitas vezes entrincheirada entre o tradicional e o ampliado.
Glycosylceramide modifies the flavor and metabolic characteristics of sake yeast
Authors: Ferdouse Jannatul , Yamamoto Yuki , Taguchi Seiga , Yoshizaki Yumiko , Takamine Kazunori , Kitagaki Hiroshi
Published: May 2018

In the manufacture of sake, Japanese traditional rice wine, sake yeast is fermented with koji, which is steamed rice fermented with the non-pathogenic fungusAspergillus oryzae. During fermentation, sake yeast requires lipids, such as unsaturated fatty acids and sterols, in addition to substances provided by koji enzymes for fermentation. However, the role of sphingolipids on the brewing characteristics of sake yeast has not been studied. In this study, we revealed that glycosylceramide, one of the sphingolipids abundant in koji, affects yeast fermentation. The addition of soy,A. oryzae, andGrifola frondosaglycosylceramide conferred a similar effect on the flavor profiles of sake yeast. In particular, the addition ofA. oryzaeandG. frondosaglycosylceramide were very similar in terms of the decreases in ethyl caprylate and ethyl 9-decenoate. The addition of soy glycosylceramide induced metabolic changes to sake yeast such as a decrease in glucose, increases in ethanol and glycerol and changes in several amino acids and organic acids concentrations. Tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, pyruvate metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, and glycerolipid metabolism were overrepresented in the cultures incubated with sake yeast and soy glycosylceramide. This is the first study of the effect of glycosylceramide on the flavor and metabolic profile of sake yeast.
Modulation of the Semidiurnal Cycle of Turbulent Dissipation by Wind‐Driven Upwelling in a Coastal Embayment
Authors: Fernández‐Castro Bieito , Gilcoto Miguel , Naveira‐Garabato Alberto C. , Villamaña Marina , Graña Rocío , Mouriño‐Carballido Beatriz
Published: May 2018

With two 25‐hour series of turbulent microstructure and currents observations carried out in August 2013, during spring (CHAOS 1) and neap tides (CHAOS 2), we investigated the semidiurnal cycle of turbulent dissipation in an embayment affected by coastal upwelling (Ría de Vigo, NW Iberia). At the time of sampling, the bay hosted a net, wind‐driven bi‐directional positive exchange flow and thermal stratification. Turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) dissipation (ɛ) at the interface between upwelled and surface waters was enhanced by two orders of magnitude during the ebbs (
W kg− 1) with respect to the floods (
W kg− 1). This pattern was caused by the constructive interference of the shear associated with the upwelling and tidal currents. The vertical structure of the tidal currents was consistent with a deformation of tidal ellipses by stratification, which was tightly coupled to the intensity of upwelling. This two‐pronged interaction resulted in a modulation of the semidiurnal cycle of turbulent dissipation by coastal upwelling. Thus, as a result of the upwelling relaxation conditions experienced during CHAOS 1, depth‐integrated interior TKE dissipation rates were higher, by a factor of
, compared to CHAOS 2. By using a simple model, we determined that observed variations in turbulent mixing had a limited influence on the tidal variations of stratification, which were dominated by straining and advection. The mixing mechanism described here is potentially relevant for the ecology of upwelling bays, as it can stimulate the transport of nutrients from deep‐upwelled waters to the sun‐lit surface layers where primary production takes place.
Phylogenomic inference in extremis: A case study with mycoheterotroph plastomes
Authors: Lam Vivienne K. Y. , Darby Hayley , Merckx Vincent S. F. T. , Lim Gwynne , Yukawa Tomohisa , Neubig Kurt M. , Abbott J. Richard , Beatty Gemma E. , Provan Jim , Soto Gomez Marybel , Graham Sean W.
Published: May 2018

Premise of the Study

Phylogenomic studies employing large numbers of genes, including those based on plastid genomes (plastomes), are becoming common. Nonphotosynthetic plants such as mycoheterotrophs (which rely on root‐associated fungi for essential nutrients, including carbon) tend to have highly elevated rates of plastome evolution, substantial genome reduction, or both. Mycoheterotroph plastomes therefore provide excellent test cases for investigating how extreme conditions impact phylogenomic inference.

Methods

We used parsimony and likelihood analysis of protein‐coding gene sets from published and newly completed plastomes to infer the phylogenetic placement of taxa from the 10 angiosperm families in which mycoheterotrophy evolved.

Key Results

Despite multiple very long branches that reflect elevated substitution rates, and frequently patchy gene recovery due to genome reduction, inferred phylogenetic placements of most mycoheterotrophic lineages in DNA‐based likelihood analyses are both well supported and congruent with other studies. Amino‐acid‐based likelihood placements are broadly consistent with DNA‐based inferences, but extremely rate‐elevated taxa can have unexpected placements—albeit with weak support. In contrast, parsimony analysis is strongly misled by long‐branch attraction among many distantly related mycoheterotrophic monocots.

Conclusions

Mycoheterotrophic plastomes provide challenging cases for phylogenomic inference, as substitutional rates can be elevated and genome reduction can lead to sparse gene recovery. Nonetheless, diverse likelihood frameworks provide generally well‐supported and mutually concordant phylogenetic placements of mycoheterotrophs, consistent with recent phylogenetic studies and angiosperm‐wide classifications. Previous predictions of parallel photosynthesis loss within families are supported for Burmanniaceae, Ericaceae, Gentianaceae, and Orchidaceae. Burmanniaceae and Thismiaceae should not be combined as a single family in Dioscoreales.
Community assembly of the ferns of Florida
Authors: Sessa Emily B. , Chambers Sally M. , Li Daijiang , Trotta Lauren , Endara Lorena , Burleigh J. Gordon , Baiser Benjamin
Published: May 2018

Premise of the Study

Many ecological and evolutionary processes shape the assembly of organisms into local communities from a regional pool of species. We analyzed phylogenetic and functional diversity to understand community assembly of the ferns of Florida at two spatial scales.

Methods

We built a phylogeny for 125 of the 141 species of ferns in Florida using five chloroplast markers. We calculated mean pairwise dissimilarity (MPD) and mean nearest taxon distance (MNTD) from phylogenetic distances and functional trait data for both spatial scales and compared the results to null models to assess significance.

Key Results

Our results for over vs. underdispersion in functional and phylogenetic diversity differed depending on spatial scale and metric considered. At the county scale, MPD revealed evidence for phylogenetic overdispersion, while MNTD revealed phylogenetic and functional underdispersion, and at the conservation area scale, MPD revealed phylogenetic and functional underdispersion while MNTD revealed evidence only of functional underdispersion.

Conclusions

Our results are consistent with environmental filtering playing a larger role at the smaller, conservation area scale. The smaller spatial units are likely composed of fewer local habitat types that are selecting for closely related species, with the larger‐scale units more likely to be composed of multiple habitat types that bring together a larger pool of species from across the phylogeny. Several aspects of fern biology, including their unique physiology and water relations and the importance of the independent gametophyte stage of the life cycle, make ferns highly sensitive to local, microhabitat conditions.
Alpha‐synuclein mRNA isoform formation and translation affected by polymorphism in the human SNCA 3ʹUTR
Authors: Barrie Elizabeth S. , Lee Sung‐Ha , Frater John T. , Kataki Maria , Scharre Douglas W. , Sadee Wolfgang
Published: May 2018

Background

Multiple variants in SNCA, encoding alpha‐synuclein, a main component of Lewy bodies, are implicated in Parkinson's disease.

Methods

We searched for cis‐acting SNCA variants using allelic mRNA ratios in human brain tissues. In a SNCA 3′UTR (2,520 bp) luciferase reporter gene assay, translation in SH‐SY5Y cells in the presence of the rs17016074 G/A alleles was measured. To assess clinical impact, we queried neurocognitive genome‐wide association studies.

Results

Allelic ratios deviated up to twofold, measured at a marker SNP in the middle of a long 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR), but not at a marker at its start, suggesting regulation of 3′UTR processing. 3′UTR SNP rs17016074 G/A, minor allele frequency (MAF) <1% in Caucasians, 13% in Africans, strongly associates with large allelic mRNA expression imbalance (AEI), resulting in reduced expression of long 3′UTR isoforms. A second 3′UTR SNP (rs356165) associates with moderate AEI and enhances SNCA mRNA expression. The rs17016074 A allele reduces overall 3′UTR expression in luciferase reporter gene assays but supports more efficient translation, resolving previous contradictory results. We failed to detect significant genome‐wide associations for rs17016074, possibly a result of low MAF in Caucasians or its absence from most genotyping panels. In the “Genome Wide Association Study of Yoruba in Nigeria,” rs356165 was associated with reduced memory performance.

Conclusions

Here, we identify two cis‐acting regulatory variants affecting SNCA mRNA expression, measured by allelic ratios in the 3′UTR. The rs17016074 minor A allele is associated with higher expression of luciferase protein activity. Resolving the genetic influence of SNCA polymorphisms requires study of the interactions between multiple regulatory variants with distinct frequencies among populations.
A novel‐integrated quality assurance phantom for radiographic and nonradiographic radiotherapy localization and positioning systems
Authors: Yu Amy S. , Fowler Tyler L. , Dubrowski Piotr
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Various localization and positioning systems utilizing radiographic or nonradiographic methods have been developed to improve the accuracy of radiation treatment. Each quality assurance (QA) procedure requires its own phantom and is independent from each other, so the deviation between each system is unavailable. The purpose of this work is to develop and evaluate a single‐integrated QA phantom for different localization and positioning systems.

Methods

The integrated phantom was designed in three‐dimensional (3D) CAD software and 3D printed. The phantom was designed with laser alignment marks, a raised letter “S” on the anterior surface for optical surface monitoring system registration, a core for radiofrequency (RF) tracking system alignment, eight internal fiducials for image alignment, and an isocentric bearing for Winston–Lutz test. Tilt legs and rotational stage were designed for rotational verification of optical surface mapping system and RF tracking system, respectively. The phantom was scanned using a CT scanner and a QA plan was created. This prototype phantom was evaluated against established QA techniques.

Results

The QA result between the proposed procedure and established QA technique are 1.12 ± 0.31 and 1.14 ± 0.31 mm, respectively, for RF tracking system and 0.18 ± 0.06 and 0.18 ± 0.05 mm for Winston–Lutz test. There is no significant difference for the QA results between the established QA and proposed procedure (P > 0.05, t test). The accuracy of rotational verification for surface mapping system and RF tracking system are less than 0.5 and 1° compared the predefined value. The isocenter deviation of each location system is around l mm.

Conclusion

We have designed and evaluated a novel‐integrated phantom for radiographic and nonradiographic localization and positioning systems for radiotherapy. With this phantom, we will reduce the variation in measurements and simplify the QA procedures.
Activation of p70S6 Kinase-1 in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Is Essential to Lung Tissue Repair
Authors: Takeda Katsuyuki , Ning Fangkun , Domenico Joanne , Okamoto Masakazu , Ashino Shigeru , Kim Sang-Ha , Jeong Yi Yeong , Shiraishi Yoshiki , Terada Naohiro , Sutherland Everett Rand , Gelfand Erwin W.
Published: May 2018

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to promote lung tissue regeneration in animal models of emphysema. However, the reparative effects of the combination of the two and the role of p70S6 kinase-1 (p70S6k1) activation in the repair process have not been defined. Twenty-one days after intratracheal instillation of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE), MSC and/or 10 days of ATRA treatment was initiated. Thirty-two days later, static lung compliance (Cst), mean linear intercepts (MLIs), and alveolar surface area (S) were measured. After PPE, mice demonstrated increased values of Cst and MLI, and decreased S values. Both ATRA and MSC transfer were individually effective in improving these outcomes while the combination of ATRA and MSCs was even more effective. The combination of p70S6k1−/− MSCs transfer followed by ATRA demonstrated only modest effects, and rapamycin treatment of recipients with wild-type (WT) MSCs and ATRA failed to show any effect. However, transfer of p70S6k1 over-expressing-MSCs together with ATRA resulted in further improvements over those seen following WT MSCs together with ATRA. ATRA activated p70S6k1 in MSCs in vitro, which was completely inhibited by rapamycin. Tracking of transferred MSCs following ATRA revealed enhanced accumulation and extended survival of MSCs in recipient lungs following PPE but not vehicle instillation. These data suggest that in MSCs, p70S6k1 activation plays a critical role in ATRA-enhanced lung tissue repair, mediated in part by prolonged survival of transferred MSCs. p70S6k1-activated MSCs may represent a novel therapeutic approach to reverse the lung damage seen in emphysema.
Giant graviton interactions and M2-branes ending on multiple M5-branes
Authors: Hirano Shinji , Sato Yuki
Published: May 2018

Abstract

We study splitting and joining interactions of giant gravitons with angular momenta N
1/2 ≪ J ≪ N in the type IIB string theory on AdS
5 × S
5 by describing them as instantons in the tiny graviton matrix model introduced by Sheikh-Jabbari. At large J the instanton equation can be mapped to the four-dimensional Laplace equation and the Coulomb potential for m point charges in an n-sheeted Riemann space corresponds to the m-to-n interaction process of giant gravitons. These instantons provide the holographic dual of correlators of all semi-heavy operators and the instanton amplitudes exactly agree with the pp-wave limit of Schur polynomial correlators in

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 4 SYM computed by Corley, Jevicki and Ramgoolam.

By making a slight change of variables the same instanton equation is mathematically transformed into the Basu-Harvey equation which describes the system of M2-branes ending on M5-branes. As it turns out, the solutions to the sourceless Laplace equation on an n-sheeted Riemann space correspond to n M5-branes connected by M2-branes and we find general solutions representing M2-branes ending on multiple M5-branes. Among other solutions, the n = 3 case describes an M2-branes junction ending on three M5-branes. The effective theory on the moduli space of our solutions might shed light on the low energy effective theory of multiple M5-branes.
Locating the Educator in Outdoor Early Childhood Education
Authors: Dawson Kate , Beattie A. Elizabeth
Published: May 2018

We tell the story of an experience Kate Dawson, her students, and three eagles had at an outdoor preschool. The experience profoundly affected Kate, and prompted us to ask the following questions: What made this experience feel so magical, and what caused it to happen? Why are thesemagical momentsvaluable, and how might they impact our pedagogical practices? We posit that magical moments in outdoor early childhood education depend upon relational andpathicknowledge, and understandingofplace, rather than intellectual or cognitive knowledgeaboutplace. We suggest conditions and practices educators may employ to foster magical moments, including slow ecopedagogy and embodied, sensory, and spiritual attunement to place. We consider our role as educators in the educator-students-place system, particularly when acknowledging that place is agentic, and acts as learner, knower and teacher. To understand place pedagogically, we must think of ourselves as learners and as the objects of learning, as much as thinking of ourselves asknowers. This requires a pedagogy of embodied responsiveness and a surrender to place as teacher. Far from simplifying the work of the educator, living within a relationship of educator-students-place complexifies the practice of teaching.
Networks of Giving and Receiving in an Organizational Context:Dependent Rational Animalsand MacIntyrean Business Ethics
Authors: Bernacchio Caleb
Published: May 2018

Alasdair MacIntyre’sAfter Virtuehas made a significant impact within business ethics. This impact has centered upon applications of the virtues-goods-practices-institutions schema (Moore & Beadle, 2006). In this article, I develop an extension of the practices-institutions schema (Moore, 2017), drawing upon MacIntyre’s later text,Dependent Rational Animals. Two key concepts drawn from this text are “networks of giving and receiving” and “the virtues of acknowledged dependence.” Networks of giving and receiving are non-calculative relationships that enable participants to cope with vulnerability. These relationships are sustained by the virtues of acknowledged dependence, including just generosity,misericordia,and beneficence, virtues that direct participants to treat the needs of others as reasons for action. Drawing upon research in social network theory, I develop an example illustrating the application of these concepts within an organizational and interorganizational context. I then suggest a number of applications and research questions related to this extension of the practices-institutions schema.
The Perils of Multiplex Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panels: Pseudo-outbreaks of Salmonellae and Entamoeba histolytica in Immunocompromised Hosts
Authors: Robilotti Elizabeth , Powell Eleanor , Usiak Shauna , Taur Ying , Babady N. Esther , Kamboj Mini
Published: May 2018

Two distinct clusters of gastroenteritis due to Salmonellae and Entamoeba histolytica (EH) were identified using a multiplex gastrointestinal pathogen panel (GPP) at a tertiary-care cancer center. Despite temporo-spatial overlap, our investigation did not corroborate transmission or true infection. In clinical practice, GPPs may render false-positive results.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;867–870
THE DETERMINANTS OF TRANSNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTING IN ASIA
Authors: Kim Dongwook
Published: May 2018

Why do some national governments in East and Southeast Asia receive more transnational scrutiny and pressure on their domestic human rights practices than others? This article argues that transnational human rights reporting is more likely to target states where domestic activists and victims are densely connected with human rights international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) through a local membership base. Human rights INGOs increase social demands and opportunities for transnational human rights reporting by strengthening local actors’ capabilities to leverage human rights and international solidarity as an advocacy strategy, and by mobilizing them for monitoring and information collection on the ground. Event count analyses of 25 Asian states from 1977 to 2008 find robust support for the theory, using new data on Amnesty International's human rights reporting and human rights INGOs’ local membership base, and controlling for government respect for human rights, regime type, military power, and other factors.
Ultra-processed food consumption and excess weight among US adults
Authors: Juul Filippa , Martinez-Steele Euridice , Parekh Niyati , Monteiro Carlos A. , Chang Virginia W.
Published: May 2018

Ultra-processed foods provide 58 % of energy intake and 89 % of added sugars in the American diet. Nevertheless, the association between ultra-processed foods and excess weight has not been investigated in a US sample. The present investigation therefore aims to examine the association between ultra-processed foods and excess weight in a nationally representative sample of US adults. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of anthropometric and dietary data from 15 977 adults (20–64 years) participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2014. Dietary data were collected by 24-h recall. Height, weight and waist circumference (WC) were measured. Foods were classified as ultra-processed/non-ultra-processed according to the NOVA classification. Multivariable linear and logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between ultra-processed food consumption (% energy) and BMI, WC and odds of BMI≥25 kg/m2, BMI≥30 kg/m2 and abdominal obesity (men: WC≥102 cm, women: WC≥88 cm). Prevalence of BMI≥25 kg/m2, BMI≥30 kg/m2 and abdominal obesity was 69·2, 36·1 and 53·0 %, respectively. Consuming ≥74·2 v. ≤36·5 % of total energy from ultra-processed foods was associated with 1·61 units higher BMI (95 % CI 1·11, 2·10), 4·07 cm greater WC (95 % CI 2·94, 5·19) and 48, 53 and 62 % higher odds of BMI≥25 kg/m2, BMI≥30 kg/m2 and abdominal obesity, respectively (OR 1·48; 95 % CI 1·25, 1·76; OR 1·53; 95 % CI 1·29, 1·81; OR 1·62; 95 % CI 1·39, 1·89, respectively; Pfor trend<0·001 for all). A significant interaction between being female and ultra-processed food consumption was found for BMI (F4,79=4·89, P=0·002), WC (F4,79=3·71, P=0·008) and BMI≥25 kg/m2 (F4,79=5·35, P<0·001). As the first study in a US population, our findings support that higher consumption of ultra-processed food is associated with excess weight, and that the association is more pronounced among women.
Association of oily fish intake, sex, age, BMI andAPOEgenotype with plasma long-chainn-3 fatty acid composition
Authors: Fisk Helena L. , Irvine Michael , Miles Elizabeth A. , Lietz Georg , Mathers John C. , Packard Chris J. , Armah Christopher K. , Kofler Bettina M. , Curtis Peter J. , Minihane Anne M. , Calder Philip C.
Published: May 2018

n-3 Fatty acids are associated with better cardiovascular and cognitive health. However, the concentration of EPA, DPA and DHA in different plasma lipid pools differs and factors influencing this heterogeneity are poorly understood. Our aim was to evaluate the association of oily fish intake, sex, age, BMI andAPOEgenotype with concentrations of EPA, DPA and DHA in plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC), NEFA, cholesteryl esters (CE) and TAG. Healthy adults (148 male, 158 female, age 20–71 years) were recruited according toAPOEgenotype, sex and age. The fatty acid composition was determined by GC. Oily fish intake was positively associated with EPA in PC, CE and TAG, DPA in TAG, and DHA in all fractions (P≤0·008). There was a positive association between age and EPA in PC, CE and TAG, DPA in NEFA and CE, and DHA in PC and CE (P≤0·034). DPA was higher in TAG in males than females (P<0·001). There was a positive association between BMI and DPA and DHA in TAG (P<0·006 and 0·02, respectively).APOEgenotype×sex interactions were observed: theAPOE4 allele associated with higher EPA in males (P=0·002), and there was also evidence for higher DPA and DHA (P≤0·032). In conclusion, EPA, DPA and DHA in plasma lipids are associated with oily fish intake, sex, age, BMI andAPOEgenotype. Such insights may be used to better understand the link between plasma fatty acid profiles and dietary exposure and may influence intake recommendations across population subgroups.
DNA barcoding and real-time PCR detection ofBactrocera xanthodes(Tephritidae: Diptera) complex
Authors: Li D. , Waite D.W. , Gunawardana D.N. , McCarthy B. , Anderson D. , Flynn A. , George S.
Published: May 2018

Immature fruit fly stages of the family Tephritidae are commonly intercepted on breadfruit from Pacific countries at the New Zealand border but are unable to be identified to the species level using morphological characters. Subsequent molecular identification showed that they belong toBactrocera xanthodes, which is part of a species complex that includesBactrocera paraxanthodes, Bactrocera neoxanthodesand an undescribed species. To establish a more reliable molecular identification system forB. xanthodes, a reference database of DNA barcode sequences for the 5’-fragment of COI gene region was constructed forB. xanthodesfrom Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. To better understand the species complex,B. neoxanthodesfrom Vanuatu andB. paraxanthodesfrom New Caledonia were also barcoded. Using the results of this analysis, real-time TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the detection ofB. xanthodescomplex and for the three individual species of the complex were developed and validated. The assay showed high specificity for the target species, with no cross-reaction observed for closely related organisms. Each of the real-time PCR assays is sensitive, detecting the target sequences at concentrations as low as ten copies µl−1and can be used as either singleplex or multiplex formats. This real-time PCR assay forB. xanthodeshas been successfully applied at the borders in New Zealand, leading to the rapid identification of intercepted Tephritidae eggs and larvae. The developed assays will be useful biosecurity tools for rapid detection of species in theB. xanthodescomplex worldwide.
CARBON STOCKS, LITTERFALL AND PRUNING RESIDUES IN MONOCULTURE AND AGROFORESTRY CACAO PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
Authors: SCHNEIDEWIND ULF , NIETHER WIEBKE , ARMENGOT LAURA , SCHNEIDER MONIKA , SAUER DANIELA , HEITKAMP FELIX , GEROLD GERHARD
Published: May 2018

Agroforestry systems (AFS) can serve to decrease ecosystem carbon (C) losses caused by deforestation and inadequate soil management. Because of their shade tolerance, cacao plants are suitable to be grown in AFS, since they can be combined with other kinds of trees and shrubs. The potential for C sequestration in cacao farming systems depends on various factors, such as management practices, stand structure and plantation age. We compared conventionally and organically managed cacao monoculture systems (MCS) and AFS in Sara Ana (Bolivia) with respect to C stocks in plant biomass and to amounts of litterfall and pruning residues. The total aboveground C stocks of the AFS (26 Mg C ha−1) considerably exceeded those of the MCS (~7 Mg C ha−1), although the biomass of cacao trees was greater in the MCS compared to the AFS. Due to higher tree density, annual litterfall in the AFS (2.2 Mg C ha−1 year−1) substantially exceeded that in the MCS (1.2 Mg C ha−1 year−1). The amounts of C in pruning residues (2.6 Mg C ha−1 year−1 in MCS to 4.3 Mg C ha−1 year−1 in AFS) was more than twice those in the litterfall. Annual nitrogen (N) inputs to the soil through pruning residues of cacao and N-fixing trees were up to 10 times higher than the N inputs through external fertiliser application. We conclude that appropriate management of cacao AFS, involving the pruning of leguminous trees, will lead to increases in biomass, litter quantity and quality as well as soil C and N stocks. Thus, we recommend stimulating the expansion of well-managed AFS to improve soil fertility and enhance C sequestration in soils.
AGRO-PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF DURUM WHEAT GENOTYPES UNDER DROUGHT CONDITIONS
Authors: MOHAMMADI REZA , ETMINAN ALIREZA , SHOSHTARI LIA
Published: May 2018

Knowledge of agro-physiological traits associated with drought tolerance would be useful for developing breeding materials for drought-prone environments. This study was conducted (i) to estimate genetic variability among 25 durum wheat genotypes in response to drought based on grain yield and 15 agro-physiological traits in single and multi-year trials; and (ii) to compare genotypes on the basis of multiple investigated traits using genotype by trait (GT) biplot technique and then recommend possible selection strategies. We found large genetic differences among durum wheat genotypes for agro-physiological traits in response to drought stress within and between single years, which revealed good promise in their further exploitation for selection in durum wheat breeding program. High broad-sense heritability and expected genetic advance as percent of mean observed in plant height (90.8%; 52.7%), grain yield (53.6%, 23.5%) and relative water loss (47.2%, 41.3%), respectively, indicated a major role of additive gene action. The results showed that the performance of genotypes was influenced by the year. The traits with high consistence across years were heading date, plant height and peduncle length. The potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and thousand-kernel weight (TKW) were positively associated with grain yield, while heading date, plant height and canopy temperature (CT) were negatively associated with grain yield under the drought conditions. In conclusion, based on across-year analyses, Fv/Fm, TKW, heading date, plant height and CT are the most promising traits for indirect selection.
Layered Authority and Social Institutions: Reconsidering State-Centric Theory and Development Policy
Authors: Lust Ellen
Published: May 2018

Political scientists, development specialists, and policymakers assume a central place for states and state action as they define problems and design solutions. They ascribe to the state dominance over all other social organizations, viewing it as pervasive and inevitably triumphant. Even scholars such as Joel Migdal, Timothy Mitchell, and James Scott, who focus on the boundaries of the state, portray the state as more organized, technologically savvy, and capable of extending its power than social counterparts, putting the latter on the defensive. Scholars and policymakers alike also have arrogated to the state the moral monopoly to pursue certain imperatives that other organizational forms can and do aspire to provide. These include providing security and protection from predation, allocating scarce resources, and arbitrating values and interests in society.
Deference and Hierarchy in International Regime Complexes
Authors: Pratt Tyler
Published: May 2018

How do states resolve jurisdictional conflicts among international institutions? In many issue areas, global governance is increasingly fragmented among multiple international organizations (IOs). Existing work argues this fragmentation can undermine cooperation as different institutions adopt conflicting rules. However, this perspective overlooks the potential for interinstitutional coordination. I develop a theory ofinstitutional deference: the acceptance of another IO's exercise of authority. By accepting rules crafted in another IO, member states can mitigate rule conflict and facilitate a division of labor within the regime complex. I use an original data set of over 2,000 IO policy documents to describe patterns of deference in the counterterrorism, intellectual property, and election-monitoring regime complexes. Empirical tests support two theoretical claims. First, institutional deference is indeed associated with a division of labor among institutions: IOs that defer to each other are more likely to focus their rule-making efforts on separate subissues. Second, deference is a strategic act that is shaped both by efficiency concerns and power politics. Statistical tests confirm that deference is used to efficiently pool resources among disparate organizations, and that IOs with weaker member states tend to defer to organizations with more powerful members.
Theileria parvaantigens recognized by CD8+ T cells show varying degrees of diversity in buffalo-derived infected cell lines
Authors: Sitt Tatjana , Pelle Roger , Chepkwony Maurine , Morrison W. Ivan , Toye Philip
Published: May 2018

The extent of sequence diversity among the genes encoding 10 antigens (Tp1–10) known to be recognized by CD8+T lymphocytes from cattle immune toTheileria parvawas analysed. The sequences were derived from parasites in 23 buffalo-derived cell lines, three cattle-derived isolates and one cloned cell line obtained from a buffalo-derived stabilate. The results revealed substantial variation among the antigens through sequence diversity. The greatest nucleotide and amino acid diversity were observed in Tp1, Tp2 and Tp9. Tp5 and Tp7 showed the least amount of allelic diversity, and Tp5, Tp6 and Tp7 had the lowest levels of protein diversity. Tp6 was the most conserved protein; only a single non-synonymous substitution was found in all obtained sequences. The ratio of non-synonymous: synonymous substitutions varied from 0.84 (Tp1) to 0.04 (Tp6). Apart from Tp2 and Tp9, we observed no variation in the other defined CD8+ T cell epitopes (Tp4, 5, 7 and 8), indicating that epitope variation is not a universal feature ofT. parvaantigens. In addition to providing markers that can be used to examine the diversity inT. parvapopulations, the results highlight the potential for using conserved antigens to develop vaccines that provide broad protection againstT. parva.
Structural covariance and cortical reorganisation in schizophrenia: a MRI-based morphometric study
Authors: Palaniyappan Lena , Hodgson Olha , Balain Vijender , Iwabuchi Sarina , Gowland Penny , Liddle Peter
Published: May 2018

Background

In patients with schizophrenia, distributed abnormalities are observed in grey matter volume. A recent hypothesis posits that these distributed changes are indicative of a plastic reorganisation process occurring in response to a functional defect in neuronal information transmission. We investigated the structural covariance across various brain regions in early-stage schizophrenia to determine if indeed the observed patterns of volumetric loss conform to a coordinated pattern of structural reorganisation.

Methods

Structural magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained from 40 healthy adults and 41 age, gender and parental socioeconomic status matched patients with schizophrenia. Volumes of grey matter tissue were estimated at the regional level across 90 atlas-based parcellations. Group-level structural covariance was studied using a graph theoretical framework.

Results

Patients had distributed reduction in grey matter volume, with high degree of localised covariance (clustering) compared with controls. Patients with schizophrenia had reduced centrality of anterior cingulate and insula but increased centrality of the fusiform cortex, compared with controls. Simulating targeted removal of highly central nodes resulted in significant loss of the overall covariance patterns in patients compared with controls.

Conclusion

Regional volumetric deficits in schizophrenia are not a result of random, mutually independent processes. Our observations support the occurrence of a spatially interconnected reorganisation with the systematic de-escalation of conventional ‘hub’ regions. This raises the question of whether the morphological architecture in schizophrenia is primed for compensatory functions, albeit with a high risk of inefficiency.
Exercise effects on cognitive functioning in young adults with first-episode psychosis: FitForLife
Authors: Hallgren Mats , Skott Maria , Ekblom Örjan , Firth Joseph , Schembri Adrian , Forsell Yvonne
Published: May 2018

Background

Exercise has mood-enhancing effects and can improve cognitive functioning, but the effects in first-episode psychosis (FEP) remain understudied. We examined the feasibility and cognitive effects of exercise in FEP.

Method

Multi-center, open-label intervention study. Ninety-one outpatients with FEP (mean age = 30 years, 65% male) received usual care plus a 12-week supervised circuit-training program, consisting of high-volume resistance exercises, aerobic training, and stretching. Primary study outcome was cognitive functioning assessed by Cogstate Brief Battery (processing speed, attention, visual learning, working memory) and Trailmaking A and B tasks (visual attention and task shifting). Within-group changes in cognition were assessed using paired sample t tests with effect sizes (Hedges’ g) reported for significant values. Relationships between exercise frequency and cognitive improvement were assessed using analysis of covariance. Moderating effects of gender were explored with stratified analyses.

Results

Participants exercised on average 13.5 (s.d. = 11.7) times. Forty-eight percent completed 12 or more sessions. Significant post-intervention improvements were seen for processing speed, visual learning, and visual attention; all with moderate effect sizes (g = 0.47–0.49, p < 0.05). Exercise participation was also associated with a positive non-significant trend for working memory (p < 0.07). Stratified analyses indicated a moderating effect of gender. Positive changes were seen among females only for processing speed, visual learning, working memory, and visual attention (g = 0.43–0.69). A significant bivariate correlation was found between total training frequency and improvements in visual attention among males (r = 0.40, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Supported physical exercise is a feasible and safe adjunct treatment for FEP with potential cognitive benefits, especially among females.
Common genetic contributions to high-risk trauma exposure and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors
Authors: Richmond-Rakerd Leah S. , Trull Timothy J. , Gizer Ian R. , McLaughlin Kristin , Scheiderer Emily M. , Nelson Elliot C. , Agrawal Arpana , Lynskey Michael T. , Madden Pamela A.F. , Heath Andrew C. , Statham Dixie J. , Martin Nicholas G.
Published: May 2018

Background

Prior research has documented shared heritable contributions to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal ideation (SI) as well as NSSI and suicide attempt (SA). In addition, trauma exposure has been implicated in risk for NSSI and suicide. Genetically informative studies are needed to determine common sources of liability to all three self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, and to clarify the nature of their associations with traumatic experiences.

Methods

Multivariate biometric modeling was conducted using data from 9526 twins [59% female, mean age = 31.7 years (range 24–42)] from two cohorts of the Australian Twin Registry, some of whom also participated in the Childhood Trauma Study and the Nicotine Addiction Genetics Project.

Results

The prevalences of high-risk trauma exposure (HRT), NSSI, SI, and SA were 24.4, 5.6, 27.1, and 4.6%, respectively. All phenotypes were moderately to highly correlated. Genetic influences on self-injurious thoughts and behaviors and HRT were significant and highly correlated among men [rG= 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.37–0.81)] and women [rG= 0.56 (0.49–0.63)]. Unique environmental influences were modestly correlated in women [rE= 0.23 (0.01–0.45)], suggesting that high-risk trauma may confer some direct risk for self-injurious thoughts and behaviors among females.

Conclusions

Individuals engaging in NSSI are at increased risk for suicide, and common heritable factors contribute to these associations. Preventing trauma exposure may help to mitigate risk for self-harm and suicide, either directly or indirectly via reductions in liability to psychopathology more broadly. In addition, targeting pre-existing vulnerability factors could significantly reduce risk for life-threatening behaviors among those who have experienced trauma.