bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Western Anti‐Muslim Prejudice: Value Conflict or Discrimination of Persons Too?
Authors: Van der Noll Jolanda , Saroglou Vassilis , Latour David , Dolezal Nathalie
Published: March 2017

Do Western anti‐Muslim attitudes reflect Islamophobia as a general, ethnoreligious prejudice that does not distinguish between persons and ideas, values, or behavior, or are they limited to issues perceived to be in conflict with Western liberal values? In two experiments, we measured discrimination as decreased willingness to help a Muslim versus non‐Muslim to undertake an action that was either neutral or possibly in conflict with Western liberal values. As opposed to general discrimination, the participants displayed conditional, anti‐Muslim discrimination: The two targets were treated equally when the cause was neutral, but there was less willingness to help the Muslim when the cause was conflicting (protesting against the headscarf ban and against gay rights). However, participants did demonstrate subtle discrimination by showing less willingness to help the protesting Muslim compared to the protesting non‐Muslim target. Individual differences moderated these effects with multiculturalism predicting conditional outgroup prosociality, ethnocentrism predicting global outgroup discrimination, and proatheism attitudes predicting both conditional outgroup prosociality and unprejudiced rejection of value‐conflicting behavior.
Effects of 6‐month aerobic interval training on skeletal muscle metabolism in middle‐aged metabolic syndrome patients
Authors: Guadalupe‐Grau A. , Fernández‐Elías V. E. , Ortega J. F. , Dela F. , Helge J. W. , Mora‐Rodriguez R.
Published: March 2017

Aerobic interval training (AIT) improves the health of metabolic syndrome patients (MetS) more than moderate intensity continuous training. However, AIT has not been shown to reverse all metabolic syndrome risk factors, possibly due to the limited duration of the training programs. Thus, we assessed the effects of 6 months of AIT on cardio‐metabolic health and muscle metabolism in middle‐aged MetS. Eleven MetS (54.5±0.7 years old) underwent 6 months of 3 days a week supervised AIT program on a cycle ergometer. Cardio‐metabolic health was assessed, and muscle biopsies were collected from the vastus lateralis prior and at the end of the program. Body fat mass (−3.8%), waist circumference (−1.8%), systolic (−10.1%), and diastolic (−9.3%) blood pressure were reduced, whereas maximal fat oxidation rate and VO2peak were significantly increased (38.9% and 8.0%, respectively; all P<.05). The remaining components of cardio‐metabolic health measured (body weight, blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose) were not changed after the intervention, and likewise, insulin sensitivity (CSi) remained unchanged. Total AMPK (23.4%), GLUT4 (20.5%), endothelial lipase (33.3%) protein expression, and citrate synthase activity (26.0%) increased with training (P<.05). Six months of AIT in MetS raises capacity for fat oxidation during exercise and increases VO2peak in combination with skeletal muscle improvements in mitochondrial enzyme activity. Muscle proteins involved in glucose, fat metabolism, and energy cell balance improved, although this was not reflected by parallel improvements in insulin sensitivity or blood lipid profile.
Relating Brownian motion to diffusion with superparamagnetic
colloids
Authors: Darras A. , Fiscina J. , Vandewalle N. , Lumay G.
Published: March 2017

An original experiment is introduced that allows students to relate the of a set of particles to their macroscopic An external and constant is first applied to the so that the particles self-organize into chains. When the is removed, the particles then freely diffuse from their positions in the chain, starting from the same coordinate on the axis perpendicular to the initial chain. This configuration thus enables an observer to study the one dimensional process, while also observing the underlying of the microscopic particles. Moreover, by studying the evolution of the particle distribution, a of the coefficient can be obtained. In addition, by repeating this with fluids of various the Stokes-Einstein relation may be illustrated.
Ma, where did they put
T. rex
?
Authors: Gramling Carolyn
Published: March 2017

New analysis of fossil traits shuffles dinosaur family tree.
Fishy business
Authors: Enserink Martin
Published: March 2017

Accusations of research fraud roil a tight-knit community of ecologists.
Hans Rosling (1948–2017)
Authors: Gates Bill , Gates Melinda
Published: March 2017

A remarkable physician and teacher who illuminated world poverty and public health crises
Moraxella Species as Potential Sources of MCR-Like Polymyxin Resistance Determinants
Authors: Kieffer Nicolas , Nordmann Patrice , Poirel Laurent
Published: March 2017

Plasmid-mediated resistance to polymyxins mediated by the MCR-1/2 determinants has been reported in
Enterobacteriaceae
worldwide. Using PCR-based and cloning strategies, a series of
Moraxella
spp. were screened for
mcr
-like genes.
Moraxella
spp. that are mainly animal pathogens but may also be human pathogens were identified as potential reservoirs of
mcr
-like genes.
Primary Clofazimine and Bedaquiline Resistance among Isolates from Patients with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Authors: Xu Jian , Wang Bin , Hu Minghao , Huo Fengmin , Guo Shaochen , Jing Wei , Nuermberger Eric , Lu Yu
Published: March 2017

Clofazimine has been repurposed for the treatment of tuberculosis, especially for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). To test the susceptibility to clofazimine of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
clinical isolates, MICs of clofazimine were determined using the microplate alamarBlue assay (MABA) method for 80 drug-resistant isolates and 10 drug-susceptible isolates for comparison. For five clofazimine-resistant strains isolated from previously treated pre-extensively drug-resistant TB (pre-XDR-TB) and XDR-TB patients without prior exposure to clofazimine or bedaquiline, clofazimine MICs were ≥1.2 μg/ml. Four isolates with cross-resistance to bedaquiline had
Rv0678
mutations. The other isolate with no resistance to bedaquiline had an
Rv1979c
mutation. This study adds to a recent study showing that 6.3% of MDR-TB patients without prior clofazimine or bedaquiline exposure harbored isolates with
Rv0678
mutations, which raises concern that preexisting resistance to these drugs may be associated with prior TB treatment. Furthermore, we propose a tentative breakpoint of 1.2 μg/ml for clofazimine resistance using the MABA method. More-widespread surveillance and individualized testing for clofazimine and bedaquiline resistance, together with assessment of their clinical usage, especially among previously treated and MDR-TB patients, are warranted.
Bacteria, Rev Your Engines: Stator Dynamics Regulate Flagellar Motility
Authors: Baker Amy E. , O'Toole George A.
Published: March 2017

Many bacteria move through liquids and across surfaces by using flagella—filaments propelled by a membrane-embedded rotary motor. Much is known about the flagellum: its basic structure, the function of its individual motor components, and the regulation of its synthesis. However, we are only beginning to identify the dynamics of flagellar proteins and to understand how the motor structurally adapts to environmental stimuli. In this review, we discuss the external and cellular factors that influence the dynamics of stator complexes (the ion-conducting channels of the flagellar motor). We focus on recent discoveries suggesting that stator dynamics are a means for controlling flagellar function in response to different environments.
Robust Microbiota-Based Diagnostics for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Eck A. , de Groot E. F. J. , de Meij T. G. J. , Welling M. , Savelkoul P. H. M. , Budding A. E.
Published: March 2017

Strong evidence suggests that the gut microbiota is altered in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), indicating its potential role in noninvasive diagnostics. However, no clinical applications are currently used for routine patient care. The main obstacle to implementing a gut microbiota test for IBD is the lack of standardization, which leads to high interlaboratory variation. We studied the between-hospital and between-platform batch effects and their effects on predictive accuracy for IBD. Fecal samples from 91 pediatric IBD patients and 58 healthy children were collected. IS-pro, a standardized technique designed for routine microbiota profiling in clinical settings, was used for microbiota composition characterization. Additionally, a large synthetic data set was used to simulate various perturbations and study their effects on the accuracy of different classifiers. Perturbations were validated in two replicate data sets, one processed in another laboratory and the other with a different analysis platform. The type of perturbation determined its effect on predictive accuracy. Real-life perturbations induced by between-platform variation were significantly greater than those caused by between-laboratory variation. Random forest was found to be robust to both simulated and observed perturbations, even when these perturbations had a dramatic effect on other classifiers. It achieved high accuracy both when cross-validated within the same data set and when using data sets analyzed in different laboratories. Robust clinical predictions based on the gut microbiota can be performed even when samples are processed in different hospitals. This study contributes to the effort to develop a universal IBD test that would enable simple diagnostics and disease activity monitoring.
Maintenance of the HIV Reservoir Is Antagonized by Selective BCL2 Inhibition
Authors: Cummins Nathan W. , Sainski-Nguyen Amy M. , Natesampillai Sekar , Aboulnasr Fatma , Kaufmann Scott , Badley Andrew D.
Published: March 2017

Decay of the HIV reservoir is slowed over time in part by expansion of the pool of HIV-infected cells. This expansion reflects homeostatic proliferation of infected cells by interleukin-7 (IL-7) or antigenic stimulation, as well as new rounds of infection of susceptible target cells. As novel therapies are being developed to accelerate the decay of the latent HIV reservoir, it will be important to identify interventions that prevent expansion and/or repopulation of the latent HIV reservoir. Our previous studies showed that HIV protease cleaves the host protein procaspase 8 to generate Casp8p41, which can bind and activate Bak to induce apoptosis of infected cells. In circumstances where expression of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL2 is high, Casp8p41 instead binds BCL2, and cell death does not occur. This effect can be overcome by treating cells with the clinically approved BCL2 antagonist venetoclax, which prevents Casp8p41 from binding BCL2, thereby allowing Casp8p41 to bind Bak and kill the infected cell. Here we assess whether the events that maintain the HIV reservoir are also antagonized by venetoclax. Using the J-Lat 10.6 model of persistent infection, we demonstrate that proliferation and HIV expression are countered by the use of venetoclax, which causes preferential killing of the HIV-expressing cells. Similarly, during new rounds of infection of primary CD4 T cells, venetoclax causes selective killing of HIV-infected cells, resulting in decreased numbers of HIV DNA-containing cells.

IMPORTANCECure of HIV infection requires an intervention that reduces the HIV reservoir size. A variety of approaches are being tested for their ability to impact HIV reservoir size. Even if successful, however, these approaches will need to be combined with additional complementary approaches that prevent replenishment or repopulation of the HIV reservoir. Our previous studies have shown that the FDA-approved BCL2 antagonist venetoclax has a beneficial effect on the HIV reservoir size following HIV reactivation. Here we demonstrate that venetoclax also has a beneficial effect on HIV reservoir size in a model of homeostatic proliferation of HIV as well as in acute spreading infection of HIV in primary CD4 T cells. These results suggest that venetoclax, either alone or in combination with other approaches to reducing HIV reservoir size, is a compound worthy of further study for its effects on HIV reservoir size.
Herpes Simplex Virus gE/gI and US9 Promote both Envelopment and Sorting of Virus Particles in the Cytoplasm of Neurons, Two Processes That Precede Anterograde Transport in Axons
Authors: DuRaine Grayson , Wisner Todd W. , Howard Paul , Williams Melissa , Johnson David C.
Published: March 2017

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) anterograde transport in neuronal axons is vital, allowing spread from latently infected ganglia to epithelial tissues, where viral progeny are produced in numbers allowing spread to other hosts. The HSV membrane proteins gE/gI and US9 initiate the process of anterograde axonal transport, ensuring that virus particles are transported from the cytoplasm into the most proximal segments of axons. These proteins do not appear to be important once HSV is inside axons. We previously described HSV double mutants lacking both gE and US9 that failed to transport virus particles into axons. Here we show that gE
−
US9
−
double mutants accumulate large quantities of unenveloped and partially enveloped capsids in neuronal cytoplasm. These defects in envelopment can explain the defects in axonal transport of enveloped virions. In addition, the unenveloped capsids that accumulated were frequently bound to cytoplasmic membranes, apparently immobilized in intermediate stages of envelopment. A gE-null mutant produced enveloped virions, but these accumulated in large numbers in the neuronal cytoplasm rather than reaching cell surfaces as wild-type HSV virions do. Thus, in addition to the defects in envelopment, there was missorting of capsids and enveloped particles in the neuronal cytoplasm, which can explain the reduced anterograde transport of unenveloped capsids and enveloped virions. These mechanisms differ substantially from existing models suggesting that gE/gI and US9 function by tethering HSV particles to kinesin microtubule motors. The defects in assembly of gE
−
US9
−
mutant virus particles were novel because they were neuron specific, in keeping with observations that US9 is neuron specific.

IMPORTANCE
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and other alphaherpesviruses, such as varicella-zoster virus, depend upon the capacity to navigate in neuronal axons. To do this, virus particles tether themselves to dyneins and kinesins that motor along microtubules from axon tips to neuronal cell bodies (retrograde transport) or from cell bodies to axon tips (anterograde transport). This transit in axons is essential for alphaherpesviruses to establish latency in ganglia and then to reactivate and move back to peripheral tissues for spread to other hosts. Anterograde transport of HSV requires two membrane proteins: gE/gI and US9. Our studies reveal new mechanisms for how gE/gI and US9 initiate anterograde axonal transport. HSV mutants lacking both gE and US9 fail to properly assemble enveloped virus particles in the cytoplasm, which blocks anterograde transport of enveloped particles. In addition, there are defects in the sorting of virus particles such that particles, when formed, do not enter proximal axons.
Hili Inhibits HIV Replication in Activated T Cells
Authors: Peterlin B. Matija , Liu Pingyang , Wang Xiaoyun , Cary Daniele , Shao Wei , Leoz Marie , Hong Tian , Pan Tao , Fujinaga Koh
Published: March 2017

P-element-induced wimpy-like (Piwil) proteins restrict the replication of mobile genetic elements in the germ line. They are also expressed in many transformed cell lines. In this study, we discovered that the human Piwil 2 (Hili) protein can also inhibit HIV replication, especially in activated CD4
+
T cells that are the preferred target cells for this virus in the infected host. Although resting cells did not express Hili, its expression was rapidly induced following T cell activation. In these cells and transformed cell lines, depletion of Hili increased levels of viral proteins and new viral particles. Further studies revealed that Hili binds to tRNA. Some of the tRNAs represent rare tRNA species, whose codons are overrepresented in the viral genome. Targeting tRNA
Arg
(UCU) with an antisense oligonucleotide replicated effects of Hili and also inhibited HIV replication. Finally, Hili also inhibited the retrotransposition of the endogenous intracysternal A particle (IAP) by a similar mechanism. Thus, Hili joins a list of host proteins that inhibit the replication of HIV and other mobile genetic elements.

IMPORTANCE
Piwil proteins inhibit the movement of mobile genetic elements in the germ line. In their absence, sperm does not form and male mice are sterile. This inhibition is thought to occur via small Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). However, in some species and in human somatic cells, Piwil proteins bind primarily to tRNA. In this report, we demonstrate that human Piwil proteins, especially Hili, not only bind to select tRNA species, including rare tRNAs, but also inhibit HIV replication. Importantly, T cell activation induces the expression of Hili in CD4
+
T cells. Since Hili also inhibited the movement of an endogenous retrovirus (IAP), our finding shed new light on this intracellular resistance to exogenous and endogenous retroviruses as well as other mobile genetic elements.
Divergent Requirement of Fc-Fcγ Receptor Interactions for
In Vivo
Protection against Influenza Viruses by Two Pan-H5 Hemagglutinin Antibodies
Authors: Wang Shuangshuang , Ren Huanhuan , Jiang Wenbo , Chen Honglin , Hu Hongxing , Chen Zhiwei , Zhou Paul
Published: March 2017

Recent studies have shown that Fc-Fcγ receptor (FcγR) interactions are required for
in vivo
protection against influenza viruses by broadly reactive anti-hemagglutinin (HA) stem, but not virus strain-specific, anti-receptor binding site (RBS), antibodies (Abs). Since only a few Abs recognizing epitopes in the head region but outside the RBS have been tested against single-challenge virus strains, it remains unknown whether Fc-FcγR interactions are required for
in vivo
protection by Abs recognizing epitopes outside the RBS and whether the requirement is virus strain specific or epitope specific. In the present study, we therefore investigated the requirements for
in vivo
protection using two pan-H5 Abs, 65C6 and 100F4. We generated chimeric Abs, 65C6/IgG2a and 100F4/IgG2a, which preferentially engage activating FcγRs, and isogenic forms, 65C6/D265A and 100F4/D265A, which do not bind FcγR. Virus neutralizing activity, binding, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), and
in vivo
protection of these Abs were compared using three H5 strains, A/Shenzhen/406H/2006 (SZ06), A/chicken/Shanxi/2/2006 (SX06), and A/chicken/Netherlands/14015526/2014 (NE14). We found that all four chimeric Abs bound and neutralized the SZ06 and NE14 strains but poorly inhibited the SX06 strain. 65C6/IgG2a and 100F4/IgG2a, but not 65C6/D265A and 100F4/D265A, mediated ADCC against target cells expressing HA derived from all three virus strains. Interestingly, both 65C6/IgG2a and 65C6/D265A demonstrated comparable protection against all three virus strains
in vivo
; however, 100F4/IgG2a, but not 100F4/D265A, showed
in vivo
protection. Thus, we conclude that Fc-FcγR interactions are required for
in vivo
protection by 100F4, but not by 65C6, and therefore, protection is not virus strain specific but epitope specific.

IMPORTANCE
Abs play an important role in immune protection against influenza virus infection. Fc-FcγR interactions are required for
in vivo
protection by broadly neutralizing antistem, but not by virus strain-specific, anti-receptor binding site (RBS), Abs. Whether such interactions are necessary for protection by Abs that recognize epitopes outside RBS is not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated
in vivo
protection mechanisms against three H5 strains by two pan-H5 Abs, 65C6 and 100F4. We show that although these two Abs have similar neutralizing, binding, and ADCC activities against all three H5 strains
in vitro
, they have divergent requirements for Fc-FcγR interactions to protect against the three H5 strains
in vivo
. The Fc-FcγR interactions are required for
in vivo
protection by 100F4, but not by 65C6. Thus, we conclude that Fc-FcγR interactions for
in vivo
protection by pan-H5 Abs is not strain specific, but epitope specific.
Patient experience of different regional models of urgent and emergency care: a cross-sectional survey study
Authors: Foley Conor , Droog Elsa , Boyce Maria , Healy Orla , Browne John
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To compare user experiences of 8 regional urgent and emergency care systems in the Republic of Ireland, and explore potential avenues for improvement.

Design

A cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Several distinct models of urgent and emergency care operate in Ireland, as system reconfiguration has been implemented in some regions but not others. The Urgent Care System Questionnaire was used to explore service users' experiences with urgent and emergency care. Linear regression and logistic regression were used to detect regional variation in each of the 3 domains and overall ratings of care.

Participants

A nationally representative sample (N=8002) of the general population was contacted by telephone, yielding 1205 participants who self-identified as having used urgent and emergency care services in the previous 3 months.

Main outcome measures

Patient experience was assessed across 3 domains:entry into the system,progress through the systemandpatient convenience of the system. Participants were also asked to provide an overall rating of the care they received.

Results

Service users in Dublin North East gave lower ratings on theentry into the systemscale than those in Dublin South (adjusted mean difference=−0.18; 95% CI −0.35 to −0.10; p=0.038). For overall ratings of care, service users in the Mid-West were less likely than those in Dublin North East to give an excellent rating (adjusted OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.35 to 0.92; p=0.022). Survey items relating to communication, and consideration of patients' needs were comparatively poorly rated. The use of public emergency departments and out-of-hours general practice care was associated with poorer patient experiences.

Conclusions

No consistent relationship was found between the type of urgent and emergency care model in different regions and patient experience. Scale-level data may not offer a useful metric for exploring the impact of system-level service change.
Interventions to improve the self-management support health professionals provide for people with progressive neurological conditions: protocol for a realist synthesis
Authors: Davies Freya , Wood Fiona , Bullock Alison , Wallace Carolyn , Edwards Adrian
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Supporting self-management among people with long-term conditions is recognised as an important component of healthcare. Progressive neurological conditions (PNCs), for example, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis are associated with problems such as fatigue and cognitive impairment which may make self-management more challenging. Health professionals may need to develop specific skills in order to provide effective self-management support for these patients. The review aims to develop explanatory theories about how health professional-targeted interventions to improve self-management support provision for people with PNCs operate in different circumstances.

Methods and analysis

A realist synthesis of the evidence is proposed. There are 2 priority questions for the review to address. These relate to the role of a shared concept of self-management support within the healthcare team, and the need to tailor the support provided to the requirements of people with PNCs. Key stakeholders will be involved throughout the process. The initial search strategy uses terms relating to (1) self-management, (2) health professionals and (3) PNCs. Searching, data extraction and synthesis will occur in parallel. Studies will be prioritised for inclusion based on anticipated contribution to generating explanatory theories. Key informant interviews are planned to direct supplementary searches and help further refine the theories developed. Results will be expressed in the form of context–mechanism–outcome configurations.

Ethics and dissemination

Publication guidelines on realist synthesis will be followed. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and made available to organisations involved in the provision of health professional training.
From first symptoms to diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: perspectives of an Irish informal caregiver cohort—a thematic analysis
Authors: Galvin Miriam , Gaffney Rebecca , Corr Bernie , Mays Iain , Hardiman Orla
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Informal caregivers play an integral part in the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The objective of this study was to explore the journey from first problem symptoms to diagnosis from the perspective of informal caregivers providing care to people with ALS.

Design

As part of a semistructured interview, information was collected on a range of caregiver demographic details, and from an open-ended question their experiences of the time of symptom onset to diagnosis. We carried out descriptive statistical analysis and thematic analysis of qualitative data.

Setting and participants

Home interviews with informal caregivers (n=74) of people with ALS attending the National ALS/Motor Neuron Disease Clinic at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Results

This was a largely female and spousal cohort of caregivers, living with the patient for whom they provided informal care. The majority of patients were men and were spinal onset. Caregivers described the time from first symptoms to diagnosis. Using a primarily inductive approach, the coding was data driven and the codes and themes derived from the content of these descriptions. Two main themes were identified (1) problem signs and symptoms (A) noticing and (B) reaction; (2) interaction with the health services.

Conclusions

Exploring the perspectives of caregivers from first problem symptoms to diagnosis provides valuable insights into the development of the condition, impediments to its recognition, help-seeking behaviours and interactions with healthcare services. The journey from early symptoms to diagnosis is important for future decision-making, affects readiness for caregiving and could negatively impact on caregiver health and well-being. The early acknowledgement by healthcare professionals of stressors along the journey to diagnosis, and appreciation of their possible impact on caregivers is important. The separate needs of caregivers should be assessed on a regular basis.
Rating the certainty in evidence in the absence of a single estimate of effect
Authors: Murad M Hassan , Mustafa Reem A , Schünemann Holger J , Sultan Shahnaz , Santesso Nancy
Published: March 2017

When studies measure or report outcomes differently, it may not be feasible to pool data across studies to generate a single effect estimate (ie, perform meta-analysis). Instead, only a narrative summary of the effect across different studies might be available. Regardless of whether a single pooled effect estimate is generated or whether data are summarised narratively, decision makers need to know the certainty in the evidence in order to make informed decisions. In this guide, we illustrate how to apply the constructs of the GRADE (Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach to assess the certainty in evidence when a meta-analysis has not been performed and data were summarised narratively.
High BMI in late adolescence predicts future severe liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma: a national, population-based cohort study in 1.2 million men
Authors: Hagström Hannes , Tynelius Per , Rasmussen Finn
Published: March 2017

Objective

A high body mass index (BMI) is associated with an increased risk for severe liver disease. It is unclear if this risk differs across BMI categories, and if the association is partially attributed to development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Design

We used register data from more than 1.2 million Swedish men enlisted for conscription between 1969 and 1996. Data regarding new events of severe liver disease and T2DM during follow-up were obtained by record-linkage of population-based registers. We used Cox regression to estimate adjusted HRs for future inpatient care and mortality in severe liver disease and incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) across BMI categories, using BMI of 18.5–22.5 kg/m2 as reference.

Results

During a follow-up of more than 34 million person-years, 5281 cases of severe liver disease including 251 cases of HCC were identified. An association with severe liver disease was found for overweight (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.35 to 1.64) and for obese men (HR 2.17, 95% CI 1.82 to 2.59). Development of T2DM further increased the risk for severe liver disease across all BMI categories, for instance, men with obesity and T2DM had a higher risk of severe liver disease (HR 3.28, 95% CI 2.27 to 4.74) than men with obesity free of T2DM (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.72 to 2.54).

Conclusions

A high BMI in late adolescent men was associated with an increased risk of future severe liver disease, including HCC. Development of T2DM during follow-up was associated with a further increased risk of severe liver disease, independent of baseline BMI.
Is it time to reassess current safety standards for glyphosate-based herbicides?
Authors: Vandenberg Laura N , Blumberg Bruce , Antoniou Michael N , Benbrook Charles M , Carroll Lynn , Colborn Theo , Everett Lorne G , Hansen Michael , Landrigan Philip J , Lanphear Bruce P , Mesnage Robin , vom Saal Frederick S , Welshons Wade V , Myers John Peterson
Published: March 2017

Use of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) increased ∼100-fold from 1974 to 2014. Additional increases are expected due to widespread emergence of glyphosate-resistant weeds, increased application of GBHs, and preharvest uses of GBHs as desiccants. Current safety assessments rely heavily on studies conducted over 30 years ago. We have considered information on GBH use, exposures, mechanisms of action, toxicity and epidemiology. Human exposures to glyphosate are rising, and a number of in vitro and in vivo studies challenge the basis for the current safety assessment of glyphosate and GBHs. We conclude that current safety standards for GBHs are outdated and may fail to protect public health or the environment. To improve safety standards, the following are urgently needed: (1) human biomonitoring for glyphosate and its metabolites; (2) prioritisation of glyphosate and GBHs for hazard assessments, including toxicological studies that use state-of-the-art approaches; (3) epidemiological studies, especially of occupationally exposed agricultural workers, pregnant women and their children and (4) evaluations of GBHs in commercially used formulations, recognising that herbicide mixtures likely have effects that are not predicted by studying glyphosate alone.
Toward a generalized theory of epidemic awareness in social networks
Authors: Wu Qingchu , Zhu Wenfang
Published: March 2017

We discuss the dynamics of a susceptible-infected-susceptible (SIS) model with local awareness in networks. Individual awareness to the infectious disease is characterized by a general function of epidemic information in its neighborhood. We build a high-accuracy approximate equation governing the spreading dynamics and derive an approximate epidemic threshold above which the epidemic spreads over the whole network. Our results extend the previous work and show that the epidemic threshold is dependent on the awareness function in terms of one infectious neighbor. Interestingly, when a pow-law awareness function is chosen, the epidemic threshold can emerge in infinite networks.
Abdus Salam and quadratic curvature gravity: Classical solutions
Authors: Stelle K. S.
Published: March 2017

In 1978, Salam and Strathdee suggested on the basis of Froissart boundedness that curvature-squared terms should be included in the gravitational Lagrangian. Despite the presence of ghosts in such theories, the subject has remained a persistent topic in approaches to quantum gravity and cosmology. In this article, the space of spherically symmetric solutions to such theories is explored, highlighting horizonless solutions, wormholes and non-Schwarzschild black holes.
A Combined Criterion for Existence and Continuity of Random Attractors for Stochastic Lattice Dynamical Systems
Authors: Gu Anhui , Li Yangrong
Published: March 2017

The paper is devoted to establishing a combination of sufficient criterion for the existence and upper semi-continuity of random attractors for stochastic lattice dynamical systems. By relying on a family of random systems itself, we first set up the abstract result when it is convergent, uniformly absorbing and uniformly random when asymptotically null in the phase space. Then we apply the results to the second-order lattice dynamical system driven by multiplicative white noise. It is indicated that the criterion depending on the dynamical system itself seems more applicable than the existing ones to lattice differential models.
Limit Cycles Bifurcating from a Period Annulus in Continuous Piecewise Linear Differential Systems with Three Zones
Authors: Lima Maurício Firmino Silva , Pessoa Claudio , Pereira Weber F.
Published: March 2017

We study a class of planar continuous piecewise linear vector fields with three zones. Using the Poincaré map and some techniques for proving the existence of limit cycles for smooth differential systems, we prove that this class admits at least two limit cycles that appear by perturbations of a period annulus. Moreover, we describe the bifurcation of the limit cycles for this class through two examples of two-parameter families of piecewise linear vector fields with three zones.
Are Derivatives Implicated in the Recent Financial Crisis? Evidence from Banks in Emerging Countries
Authors: Keffala Mohamed Rochdi
Published: March 2017

This work aims to inspect the common debate about the implication of derivative instruments in amplifying the last financial crisis. To reach this goal, the study chooses a sample of banks entirely from emerging countries — over the whole period 2003–2011 — in which we examine the impact of derivatives simultaneously on performance, risk and stability during the ordinary period “the pre-crisis period”, 2003–2006, and the unstable period “the crisis and post crisis period”, 2007–2011. The regressions are estimated by generalized methods of moments (GMM) as developed by Blundell and Bond (1998). The major conclusion reveals that only swaps can be considered as implicated in the intensification of the last financial crisis. Therefore, the rest of derivatives instruments cannot be responsible in the amplification of the recent financial crisis. Indeed, the widespread idea accusing all derivatives to be in part responsible of the intensification of the last financial crisis should be revised.
A recursive formula for group determinant coefficients
Authors: Meemark Yotsanan , Vipismakul Warin
Published: March 2017

The group determinant of a finite abelian group of cardinality [Formula: see text] is a homogeneous polynomial in [Formula: see text] variables of degree [Formula: see text]. There is no known simple way to compute its coefficients. We derive a recursive formula for them.
The Jacobson radical of inverse Laurent power series of rings
Authors: Karimi S. , Sahebi Sh. , Habibi M.
Published: March 2017

For a ring [Formula: see text] with a derivation [Formula: see text], we determine the Jacobson radical of the pseudo-differential operator ring [Formula: see text] for a large class of rings with a [Formula: see text]-condition. Various types of examples of these rings are provided.
Characterizations of mixed quasi-Einstein manifolds
Authors: Mallick Sahanous , Yildiz Ahmet , De Uday Chand
Published: March 2017

The object of the present paper is to study mixed quasi-Einstein manifolds. Some geometric properties of mixed quasi-Einstein manifolds have been studied. We also discuss [Formula: see text] spacetime with space-matter tensor and some properties related to it. Finally, we construct an example of a mixed quasi-Einstein spacetime.
A quasi-dynamic model and a symplectic algorithm of super slender Kirchhoff rod
Authors: Yang Dandan , Huang Jianfei , Zhao Weijia
Published: March 2017

Recently the Kirchhoff rod and the methods of dynamical analogue have been widely used in modeling DNA. The features of a DNA such as its super slender and super large deformation raise new challenges in modeling and numerical simulations of a Kirchhoff rod. In this paper, Euler parameters are introduced to set up the quasi-Hamilton system of an elastic rod, then a symplectic algorithm is applied in its numerical simulations. Finally, a simplified surface model of the rod is given based on the hypothesis of rigid cross-section.
Recent View on Pectin-Based Polysaccharide Nanoscience and Their Biological Applications
Authors: Kollarigowda Ravichandran H.
Published: March 2017

Polysaccharide polymer has advantageous applications in bio-field, engineering and food industry because of remarkable properties such as biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this review, we describe the pectin polysaccharide nanomaterials and how the chemistry of pectin works in the development of nanoparticles and nanowires fabrication. We also discussed the recent advances of pectin-based nanomaterials including their synthesis strategies and applications. This pectin nanoscience review can be more useful to gain insight into the pectin nanochemistry for the nanosciences of engineering.
CFA Films in Amorphous Substrate: Structural Phase Induction and Magnetization Dynamics
Authors: Correa M. A. , Bohn F. , Escobar V. M.
Published: March 2017

We report a systematic study of the structural and quasi-static magnetic properties, as well as of the dynamic magnetic response through MI effect, in Co2FeAl and MgO//Co2FeAl single layers and a MgO//Co2FeAl/Ag/Co2FeAl trilayered film, all grown onto an amorphous substrate. We present a new route to induce the crystalline structure in the Co2FeAl alloy and verify that changes in the structural phase of this material leads to remarkable modifications of the magnetic anisotropy and, consequently, dynamic magnetic behavior. Considering the electrical and magnetic properties of the Co2FeAl, our results open new possibilities for technological applications of this full-Heusler alloy in rigid and flexible spintronic devices.
Bayesian networks: Theory, applications and sensitivity issues
Authors: Kenett Ron S.
Published: March 2017

This chapter is about an important tool in the data science workbench, Bayesian networks (BNs). Data science is about generating information from a given data set using applications of statistical methods. The quality of the information derived from data analysis is dependent on various dimensions, including the communication of results, the ability to translate results into actionable tasks and the capability to integrate various data sources [R. S. Kenett and G. Shmueli, On information quality, J. R. Stat. Soc. A 177(1), 3 (2014).] This paper demonstrates, with three examples, how the application of BNs provides a high level of information quality. It expands the treatment of BNs as a statistical tool and provides a wider scope of statistical analysis that matches current trends in data science. For more examples on deriving high information quality with BNs see [R. S. Kenett and G. Shmueli, Information Quality: The Potential of Data and Analytics to Generate Knowledge (John Wiley and Sons, 2016), www.wiley.com/go/information_quality.] The three examples used in the chapter are complementary in scope. The first example is based on expert opinion assessments of risks in the operation of health care monitoring systems in a hospital environment. The second example is from the monitoring of an open source community and is a data rich application that combines expert opinion, social network analysis and continuous operational variables. The third example is totally data driven and is based on an extensive customer satisfaction survey of airline customers. The first section is an introduction to BNs, Sec. 2 provides a theoretical background on BN. Examples are provided in Sec. 3. Section 4 discusses sensitivity analysis of BNs, Sec. 5 lists a range of software applications implementing BNs. Section 6 concludes the chapter.
Optimizing General-Purpose CPUs for Energy-Efficient Mobile Web Computing
Authors: Zhu Yuhao , Reddi Vijay Janapa
Published: March 2017

Mobile applications are increasingly being built using web technologies as a common substrate to achieve portability and to improve developer productivity. Unfortunately, web applications often incur large performance overhead, directly affecting the user quality-of-service (QoS) experience. Traditional techniques in improving mobile processor performance have mostly been adopting desktop-like design techniques such as increasing single-core microarchitecture complexity and aggressively integrating more cores. However, such a desktop-oriented strategy is likely coming to an end due to the stringent energy and thermal constraints that mobile devices impose. Therefore, we must pivot away from traditional mobile processor design techniques in order to provide sustainable performance improvement while maintaining energy efficiency.

In this article, we propose to combine hardware customization and specialization techniques to improve the performance and energy efficiency of mobile web applications. We first perform design-space exploration (DSE) and identify opportunities in customizing existing general-purpose mobile processors, that is, tuning microarchitecture parameters. The thorough DSE also lets us discover sources of energy inefficiency in customized general-purpose architectures. To mitigate these inefficiencies, we propose, synthesize, and evaluate two new domain-specific specializations, called the Style Resolution Unit and the Browser Engine Cache. Our optimizations boost performance and energy efficiency at the same time while maintaining general-purpose programmability. As emerging mobile workloads increasingly rely more on web technologies, the type of optimizations we propose will become important in the future and are likely to have a long-lasting and widespread impact.
A Video Bitrate Adaptation and Prediction Mechanism for HTTP Adaptive Streaming
Authors: Sobhani Ashkan , Yassine Abdulsalam , Shirmohammadi Shervin
Published: March 2017

The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Adaptive Streaming (HAS) has now become ubiquitous and accounts for a large amount of video delivery over the Internet. But since the Internet is prone to bandwidth variations, HAS's up and down switching between different video bitrates to keep up with bandwidth variations leads to a reduction in Quality of Experience (QoE). In this article, we propose a video bitrate adaptation and prediction mechanism based on Fuzzy logic for HAS players, which takes into consideration the estimate of available network bandwidth as well as the predicted buffer occupancy level in order to proactively and intelligently respond to current conditions. This leads to two contributions: First, it allows HAS players to take appropriate actions, sooner than existing methods, to prevent playback interruptions caused by buffer underrun, reducing the ON-OFF traffic phenomena associated with current approaches and increasing the QoE. Second, it facilitates fair sharing of bandwidth among competing players at the bottleneck link. We present the implementation of our proposed mechanism and provide both empirical/QoE analysis and performance comparison with existing work. Our results show that, compared to existing systems, our system has (1) better fairness among multiple competing players by almost 50% on average and as much as 80% as indicated by Jain's fairness index and (2) better perceived quality of video by almost 8% on average and as much as 17%, according to the estimate the Mean Opinion Score (eMOS) model.
A Road Well Traveled: The Past, Present, and Future Journey of Strategic Human Resource Management
Authors: Wright Patrick M. , Ulrich Michael D.
Published: March 2017

This article provides an overview of the field of strategic human resource management (SHRM) by tracing its roots, describing its current state, and predicting its future directions. We discuss some past stages in the evolution of the field, including eras of conceptual models, empirical examinations, and empirical critiques. We then discuss the present state regarding theory, the human resources (HR) system–performance relationship, multilevel analyses, fit and flexibility, and international HR research. Finally, we propose that future research needs to be more rigorous, more multilevel, more global, more focused on human capital, more integrated with strategy, and more integrated with practice.
Overactivation of the endocannabinoid system alters the antilipolytic action of insulin in mouse adipose tissue
Authors: Muller Tania , Demizieux Laurent , Troy-Fioramonti Stéphanie , Gresti Joseph , Pais de Barros Jean-Paul , Berger Hélène , Vergès Bruno , Degrace Pascal
Published: March 2017

Evidence has accumulated that obesity-related metabolic dysregulation is associated with overactivation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which involves cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R), in peripheral tissues, including adipose tissue (AT). The functional consequences of CB1R activation on AT metabolism remain unclear. Since excess fat mobilization is considered an important primary event contributing to the onset of insulin resistance, we combined in vivo and in vitro experiments to investigate whether activation of ECS could alter the lipolytic rate. For this purpose, the appearance of plasma glycerol was measured in wild-type and CB1R−/− mice after acute anandamide administration or inhibition of endocannabinoid degradation by JZL195. Additional experiments were conducted on rat AT explants to evaluate the direct consequences of ECS activation on glycerol release and signaling pathways. Treatments stimulated glycerol release in mice fasted for 6 h and injected with glucose but not in 24-h fasted mice or in CB1R−/−, suggesting that the effect was dependent on plasma insulin levels and mediated by CB1R. We concomitantly observed that Akt cascade activity was decreased, indicating an alteration of the antilipolytic action of insulin. Similar results were obtained with tissue explants exposed to anandamide, thus identifying CB1R of AT as a major target. This study indicates the existence of a functional interaction between CB1R and lipolysis regulation in AT. Further investigation is needed to test if the elevation of ECS tone encountered in obesity is associated with excess fat mobilization contributing to ectopic fat deposition and related metabolic disorders.
Mental State Talk Structure in Children’s Narratives: A Cluster Analysis
Authors: Pinto Giuliana , Primi Caterina , Tarchi Christian , Bigozzi Lucia
Published: March 2017

This study analysed children’s Theory of Mind (ToM) as assessed by mental state talk in oral narratives. We hypothesized that the children’s mental state talk in narratives has an underlying structure, with specific terms organized in clusters. Ninety-eight children attending the last year of kindergarten were asked to tell a story twice, at the beginning and at the end of the school year. Mental state talk was analysed by identifying terms and expressions referring to perceptual, physiological, emotional, willingness, cognitive, moral, and sociorelational states. The cluster analysis showed that children’s mental state talk is organized in two main clusters: perceptual states and affective states. Results from the study confirm the feasibility of narratives as an outlet to inquire mental state talk and offer a more fine-grained analysis of mental state talk structure.