bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Civil rights between legal provisions and political reality in Albania
Authors: Koliqi Malaj Doris
Published: January 2018

One of the basic principles of civil rights is that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. The life protection, liberty and property should be equally guaranteed to citizens to exclude discrimination of minorities or other parts of the population. These rights are an important part of civil liberties and are considered as an essential element for effective citizenship. Arbitrary arrest, terror, torture or other serious and unlawful interference, both by state and private actors, significantly affect the well-being of democracy as it affects the very essence of it. In liberal democracies, leaders legitimized by the people must be involved within the norms and principles of the rule of law in order to establish a healthy relationship between the state and the citizen. This relationship is considered to be damaged in non-liberal democracies as it is affected by the suspension of individual freedoms and rights. This paper aims to analyze whether these individual rights are guaranteed and protected in Albania, considering from the perspective of the legal framework as well as in the political reality. This study aims to analyze the development of human rights, judicial rights and their implementation in our country to come to the conclusion, whether our system is that of a liberal democracy or not.
Legal Provisions, Discrimination and Uncertainty on LGBT community in Albania. Laws on human rights vs exerted rights of LGBT persons
Authors: Curi Urjana
Published: January 2018

During the communist regime and until 1995 homosexual relations were senteced by law in Albania as a criminal offense. Membership in the Council of Europe and the ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights brought as a result the improvement of the legal framework and the abolition of the condemnation of homosexual relations. The first attempts of activism were shown in the form of meetings on joint activities organized by the Gay community in public spaces or cruising areas. In 1994, an Albanian newspaper published the first interview of a gay community member. In the early 2000s,”Gish Albania” and “Alga” were the first organizations, which provided specifically in their statute the protection of LGBT rights and made serious efforts to the promote of their rights and the establishment of a small nucleus of people that would encourage the formation of a LGBT community. On March 13, 2010, the Anti-Discrimination Law, one of the essential legal instruments that protects human rights in Albania, and also includes the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, came into force. Albania has already the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination. Two LGBT organizations have already been established in Albania: the Alliance against Discrimination LGBT and LGBT Pro Albania. They aim to protect the rights of sexual minorities in Albania and promote a national movement of social mobilization to protect and promote the rights of this community in Albania
Neuronal populations in the occipital cortex of the blind synchronize to the temporal dynamics of speech
Authors: Van Ackeren Markus Johannes , Barbero Francesca M , Mattioni Stefania , Bottini Roberto , Collignon Olivier
Published: January 2018

The occipital cortex of early blind individuals (EB) activates during speech processing, challenging the notion of a hard-wired neurobiology of language. But, at what stage of speech processing do occipital regions participate in EB? Here we demonstrate that parieto-occipital regions in EB enhance their synchronization to acoustic fluctuations in human speech in the theta-range (corresponding to syllabic rate), irrespective of speech intelligibility. Crucially, enhanced synchronization to the intelligibility of speech was selectively observed in primary visual cortex in EB, suggesting that this region is at the interface between speech perception and comprehension. Moreover, EB showed overall enhanced functional connectivity between temporal and occipital cortices that are sensitive to speech intelligibility and altered directionality when compared to the sighted group. These findings suggest that the occipital cortex of the blind adopts an architecture that allows the tracking of speech material, and therefore does not fully abstract from the reorganized sensory inputs it receives.
Causes of Glacier Melt Extremes in the Alps Since 1949
Authors: Thibert E. , Dkengne Sielenou P. , Vionnet V. , Eckert N. , Vincent C.
Published: January 2018

Recent record‐breaking glacier melt values are attributable to peculiar extreme events and long‐term warming trends that shift averages upward. Analyzing one of the world's longest mass balance series with extreme value statistics, we show that detrending melt anomalies makes it possible to disentangle these effects, leading to a fairer evaluation of the return period of melt extreme values such as 2003, and to characterize them by a more realistic bounded behavior. Using surface energy balance simulations, we show that three independent drivers control melt: global radiation, latent heat, and the amount of snow at the beginning of the melting season. Extremes are governed by large deviations in global radiation combined with sensible heat. Long‐term trends are driven by the lengthening of melt duration due to earlier and longer‐lasting melting of ice along with melt intensification caused by trends in long‐wave irradiance and latent heat due to higher air moisture.
Effects of a Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet Intervention on Serum Uric Acid in African Americans With Hypertension
Authors: Juraschek Stephen P. , White Karen , Tang Olive , Yeh Hsin‐Chieh , Cooper Lisa A. , Miller Edgar R.
Published: January 2018

Objective

To examine whether partial replacement of a diet typical of the average American diet with Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)–related foods in the home environment lowers the serum uric acid (UA) level in individuals with hypertension.

Methods

We conducted an ancillary study of a randomized trial of African American adults with controlled hypertension from an urban clinic. Participants were assigned to either a control group or an intervention (DASH‐Plus) group. DASH‐Plus participants received coach‐directed dietary advice, assistance with purchasing DASH‐related foods ($30/week), and home delivery of food via a community supermarket. Participants in the control group received a DASH diet brochure and a debit card account ($30/week) to purchase foods. Serum UA levels were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks.

Results

Of the original 123 randomized participants, 117 had available serum UA measurements. Seventy percent of the participants were women, the mean ± SD age was 59 ± 9.5 years, and the mean ± SD serum UA level was 6.4 ± 1.7 mg/dl. The DASH‐Plus diet did not reduce serum UA levels compared with the control diet (difference in difference –0.01 mg/dl [95% confidence interval –0.39, 0.38]). However, there was a significant trend toward a greater reduction in the serum UA level in participants with higher baseline serum UA levels (P for trend = 0.008). Baseline changes in the serum UA level were inversely associated with changes in systolic blood pressure (P = 0.002), diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.001), and urinary sodium excretion (P = 0.05).

Conclusion

Overall, in African American individuals, partial replacement of a typical diet with DASH foods did not lower serum UA levels compared with a control diet. However, there was a significant trend toward a greater reduction in serum UA levels in subjects with higher baseline serum UA levels. Furthermore, changes in serum UA levels were associated with known correlates, suggesting heterogeneity of effects in the treatment and control arms. Future pragmatic studies of consumption of the DASH diet to lower serum UA levels should optimize replacement strategies and enroll individuals with hyperuricemia or gout.
Influence of Explanatory Images on Risk Perceptions and Treatment Preference
Authors: Cozmuta Raluca , Wilhelms Evan , Cornell Diana , Nolte Julia , Reyna Valerie , Fraenkel Liana
Published: January 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine whether providing patients with a series of balance scales (BS), depicting a reciprocal relationship between achieving disease control and increasing the risk of infection, influences treatment preference.

Methods

Participants were randomized to receive a description of a medication in which risk of infection was relayed using 1 of 4 formats, including numbers only, numbers + icon array (IA), numbers + BS, or numbers + IA + BS (i.e., combination). We compared the likelihood of starting the medication across the 4 formats, and evaluated whether the influence of risk formats varied by numeracy and gist risk appraisals.

Results

The mean ± SE likelihood of starting the medication was higher among participants randomized to the combination format (3.85 ± 0.09) compared to those who viewed the BS (3.56 ± 0.09; P = 0.0222) or numbers‐only formats (3.51 ± 0.09; P = 0.0069). Viewing an IA alone was associated with a lower likelihood of starting the medication among participants lower in numeracy and endorsing a risk‐avoidant noncompensatory gist risk appraisal. Conversely, viewing an IA (with or without the BS) was associated with a greater likelihood of starting the medication among patients with higher numeracy and compensatory risk appraisals.

Conclusion

Adding explanatory images to IAs increases patient likelihood to take a medication in those with low numeracy and a noncompensatory gist risk appraisal. Explanatory images may be a feasible approach to improve willingness to try medication among subjects who are especially risk averse and believe that any risk is unacceptable.
DNA Origami Scaffolds as Templates for Functional Tetrameric Kir3 K+ Channels
Authors: Kurokawa Tatsuki , Kiyonaka Shigeki , Nakata Eiji , Endo Masayuki , Koyama Shohei , Mori Emiko , Tran Nam Ha , Dinh Huyen , Suzuki Yuki , Hidaka Kumi , Kawata Masaaki , Sato Chikara , Sugiyama Hiroshi , Morii Takashi , Mori Yasuo
Published: January 2018

In native systems, scaffolding proteins play important roles in assembling proteins into complexes to transduce signals. This concept is yet to be applied to the assembly of functional transmembrane protein complexes in artificial systems. To address this issue, DNA origami has the potential to serve as scaffolds that arrange proteins at specific positions in complexes. Herein, we report that Kir3 K+ channel proteins are assembled through zinc‐finger protein (ZFP)‐adaptors at specific locations on DNA origami scaffolds. Specific binding of the ZFP‐fused Kir3 channels and ZFP‐based adaptors on DNA origami were confirmed by atomic force microscopy and gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, the DNA origami with ZFP binding sites nearly tripled the K+ channel current activity elicited by heterotetrameric Kir3 channels in HEK293T cells. Thus, our method provides a useful template to control the oligomerization states of membrane protein complexes in vitro and in living cells.
Minimizing inequality in access to precision medicine in breast cancer by real-time population-based molecular analysis in the SCAN-B initiative
Authors: Rydén L , Loman N , Larsson C , Hegardt C , Vallon-Christersson J , Malmberg M , Lindman H , Ehinger A , Saal L H , Borg Å
Published: January 2018

Background

Selection of systemic therapy for primary breast cancer is currently based on clinical biomarkers along with stage. Novel genomic tests are continuously being introduced as more precise tools for guidance of therapy, although they are often developed for specific patient subgroups. The Sweden Cancerome Analysis Network – Breast (SCAN-B) initiative aims to include all patients with breast cancer for tumour genomic analysis, and to deliver molecular subtype and mutational data back to the treating physician.

Methods

An infrastructure for collection of blood and fresh tumour tissue from all patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer was set up in 2010, initially including seven hospitals within the southern Sweden regional catchment area, which has 1.8 million inhabitants. Inclusion of patients was implemented into routine clinical care, with collection of tumour tissue at local pathology departments for transport to the central laboratory, where routines for rapid sample processing, RNA sequencing and biomarker reporting were developed.

Results

More than 10 000 patients from nine hospitals have currently consented to inclusion in SCAN-B with high (90 per cent) inclusion rates from both university and secondary hospitals. Tumour samples and successful RNA sequencing are being obtained from more than 70 per cent of patients, showing excellent representation compared with the national quality registry as a truly population-based cohort. Molecular biomarker reports can be delivered to multidisciplinary conferences within 1 week.

Conclusion

Population-based collection of fresh tumour tissue is feasible given a decisive joint effort between academia and collaborative healthcare groups, and with governmental support. An infrastructure for genomic analysis and prompt data output paves the way for novel systemic therapy for patients from all hospitals, irrespective of size and location.
Extent of surgery for phaeochromocytomas in the genomic era
Authors: Rossitti H M , Söderkvist P , Gimm O
Published: January 2018

Background

Germline mutations are present in 20–30 per cent of patients with phaeochromocytoma. For patients who develop bilateral disease, complete removal of both adrenal glands (total adrenalectomy) will result in lifelong adrenal insufficiency with an increased risk of death from adrenal crisis. Unilateral/bilateral adrenal-sparing surgery (subtotal adrenalectomy) offers preservation of cortical function and independence from steroids, but leaves the adrenal medulla in situ and thus at risk of developing new and possibly malignant disease. Here, present knowledge about how tumour genotype relates to clinical behaviour is reviewed, and application of this knowledge when choosing the extent of adrenalectomy is discussed.

Methods

A literature review was undertaken of the penetrance of the different genotypes in phaeochromocytomas, the frequency of bilateral disease and malignancy, and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, with emphasis on explaining the clinical phenotypes of phaeochromocytomas and their associated syndromes.

Results

Patients with bilateral phaeochromocytomas most often have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) or von Hippel–Lindau disease (VHL) with high-penetrance mutations for benign disease, whereas patients with mutations in the genes encoding SDHB (succinate dehydrogenase subunit B) or MAX (myelocytomatosis viral proto-oncogene homologue-associated factor X) are at increased risk of malignancy.

Conclusion

Adrenal-sparing surgery should be the standard approach for patients who have already been diagnosed with MEN2 or VHL when operating on the first side, whereas complete removal of the affected adrenal gland(s) is generally recommended for patients with SDHB or MAX germline mutations. Routine assessment of a patient's genotype, even after the first operation, can be crucial for adopting an appropriate strategy for follow-up and future surgery.
Long-term outcome of prophylactic thyroidectomy in children carrying RET germline mutations
Authors: Machens A , Elwerr M , Lorenz K , Weber F , Dralle H
Published: January 2018

Background

A comprehensive assessment has not been undertaken of long-term outcomes in children carrying germline RET mutations and undergoing prophylactic thyroidectomy with the aim of preventing medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).

Methods

A retrospective outcome study (1994–2017) of prophylactic thyroidectomy in children, with and without central node dissection, was performed at a tertiary surgical centre.

Results

Some 167 children underwent prophylactic thyroidectomy, 109 without and 58 with concomitant central node dissection. In the highest-risk mutational category, MTC was found in five of six children (83 per cent) aged 3 years or less. In the high-risk category, MTC was present in six of 20 children (30 per cent) aged 3 years or less, 16 of 36 (44 per cent) aged 4–6 years, and 11 of 16 (69 per cent) aged 7–12 years (P = 0·081). In the moderate-risk category, MTC was seen in one of nine children (11 per cent) aged 3 years or less, one of 26 (4 per cent) aged 4–6 years, three of 26 (12 per cent) aged 7–12 years, and seven of 16 (44 per cent) aged 13–18 years (P = 0·006). Postoperative hypoparathyroidism was more frequent in older children (32 per cent in the oldest age group versus 3 per cent in the youngest; P = 0·002), whether or not central node dissection was carried out. Three children developed recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy; all had undergone central node dissection (P = 0·040). All complications resolved within 6 months. Postoperative normalization of calcitonin serum levels was achieved in 114 (99·1 per cent) of 115 children with raised preoperative values. No residual structural disease or recurrence was observed.

Conclusion

Early prophylactic thyroidectomy is a viable surgical concept in experienced hands, sparing older children the postoperative morbidity associated with delayed neck surgery.
Defining the molecular pathology of pancreatic body and tail adenocarcinoma
Authors:   Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative, Dreyer S B , Jamieson N B , Upstill-Goddard R , Bailey P J , McKay C J , Biankin A V , Chang D K
Published: January 2018

Background

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a dismal disease, with very little improvement in survival over the past 50 years. Recent large-scale genomic studies have improved understanding of the genomic and transcriptomic landscape of the disease, yet very little is known about molecular heterogeneity according to tumour location in the pancreas; body and tail PDACs especially tend to have a significantly worse prognosis. The aim was to investigate the molecular differences between PDAC of the head and those of the body and tail of the pancreas.

Methods

Detailed correlative analysis of clinicopathological variables, including tumour location, genomic and transcriptomic data, was performed using the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative (APGI) cohort, part of the International Cancer Genome Consortium study.

Results

Clinicopathological data were available for 518 patients recruited to the APGI, of whom 421 underwent genomic analyses; 179 of these patients underwent whole-genome and 96 RNA sequencing. Patients with tumours of the body and tail had significantly worse survival than those with pancreatic head tumours (12·1 versus 22·0 months; P = 0·001). Location in the body and tail was associated with the squamous subtype of PDAC. Body and tail PDACs enriched for gene programmes involved in tumour invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, as well as features of poor antitumour immune response. Whether this is due to a molecular predisposition from the outset, or reflects a later time point on the tumour molecular clock, requires further investigation using well designed prospective studies in pancreatic cancer.

Conclusion

PDACs of the body and tail demonstrate aggressive tumour biology that may explain worse clinical outcomes.
Circulating tumour cells and DNA as liquid biopsies in gastrointestinal cancer
Authors: Nordgård O , Tjensvoll K , Gilje B , Søreide K
Published: January 2018

Background

Blood is the most extensively studied body fluid and, because it contains circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and circulating tumour-derived cell-free DNA (ctDNA), it may represent a liquid biopsy for cancer. Methods for enrichment and detection of CTCs and ctDNA, their clinical applications and future opportunities in gastrointestinal cancers were the focus of this review.

Methods

The PubMed database was searched for literature up to 24 June 2017, with a focus on the past 10 years. Identified articles were further scrutinized for relevant references. Articles were those in English relating to colorectal, gastric and pancreatic cancer.

Results

Both CTCs and ctDNA are in low abundance compared with other cellular components of blood, but effective enrichment and highly sensitive techniques are available for their detection. Potential clinical applications of these liquid biopsies include screening, prognostic stratification, therapy administration, monitoring of treatment effect or resistance, and surveillance. Liquid biopsies provide opportunities to reduce the need for invasive tissue sampling, especially in the context of intratumoral heterogeneity and the need for tumour genotyping.

Conclusion

Liquid biopsies have applications in gastrointestinal cancers to improve clinical decision-making.
Glycemic and Lipid Control in Hospitalized Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Evaluation of 2 Enteral Nutrition Formulas (Low Carbohydrate‐High Monounsaturated Fat vs High Carbohydrate)
Authors: León‐Sanz Miguel , García‐Luna Pedro P. , Planas Mercé , Sanz‐París Alejandro , Gómez‐Candela Carmen , Casimiro César ,   Abbott SPAI‐97‐004 Study Cooperative Group
Published: January 2018

Background: Type 2 diabetic patients may need enteral nutrition support as part of their treatment. The objective was to compare glycemic and lipid control in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes requiring feeding via nasogastric tube using enteral feedings with either a high‐carbohydrate or a high‐monounsaturated‐fat content. Methods: This trial included type 2 diabetes patients admitted to the hospital for neurologic disorders or head and neck cancer surgery who received either a low‐carbohydrate–high‐monounsaturated‐fat (Glucerna) or a high‐carbohydrate diet (Precitene Diabet). Glycemic and lipid control was determined weekly. Safety and gastrointestinal tolerance were also assessed. Results: A total of 104 patients were randomized and 63 were evaluable according to preestablished protocol criteria. Median duration of therapy was 13 days in both groups. Mean glucose was significantly increased at 7 days of treatment (p = .006) in the Precitene arm, with no significant variations in the Glucerna arm. Mean weekly blood triglycerides levels in the Precitene arm were increased without reaching statistical significance, whereas patients in the Glucerna arm showed a stable trend. Patients in the Precitene arm showed a significantly higher incidence of diarrhea than patients in Glucerna arm (p = .008), whereas the incidence of nausea was smaller in the Precitene arm than in the Glucerna arm (p = .03). Conclusions: An enteral formula with lower carbohydrate and higher monounsaturated fat (Glucerna) has a neutral effect on glycemic control and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic patients compared with a high‐carbohydrate and a lower‐fat formula (Precitene Diabet).
An Efficient Four Component Domino Synthesis of Pyrazolopyranopyrimidines using Recyclable Choline Chloride:Urea Deep Eutectic Solvent
Authors: Tipale Madhuri R. , Khillare Lalit D. , Deshmukh Amarsinh R. , Bhosle Manisha R.
Published: January 2018

An efficient synthesis of pyrazolopyranopyrimidines was achieved by four component domino reaction of aldehydes, barbituric acid, hydrazine hydrate, and ethyl acetoacetate using biodegradable and recyclable choline chloride:urea as deep eutectic solvent. The reaction proceeds rapidly and affords the corresponding diverse tricyclic fused pyrazolopyranopyrimidines with a good to excellent yield. The protocol has the advantage of easy workup, high yields, and an environmentally benign methodology compared with other reported methods. The simplicity of this method makes it an interesting alternative to other approaches.
Efficient Domino Strategy for the Synthesis of Substituted Bipyrazole Derivatives
Authors: Zhang Xi , Long Kai , He Jiayi , Fu Jialian , Zhang Furen , Li Chunmei
Published: January 2018

An efficient domino strategy for the synthesis of bipyrazole derivatives has been established successfully using Y(OTf)3as catalyst. This new reaction allows direct formation of highly functionalized bipyrazole derivatives with a wide diversity in substituents in a one‐pot manner. The present synthesis shows attractive characteristics, such as the use of water as reaction media, simple one‐pot operation, highly efficient catalyst, and mild reaction conditions.
Frontline Science: Wnt/β-catenin pathway promotes early engraftment of fetal hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells
Authors: Kwarteng Edward O , Hétu-Arbour Roxann , Heinonen Krista M
Published: January 2018

The switch from fetal to adult hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) is associated with profound changes in several genetic programs. Although HSPC ageing corresponds to alterations in Wnt signaling, relatively little is known about the relative roles of different Wnt signaling pathways in HSPC ontogeny. We hypothesized that proliferating fetal HSPCs would be more dependent on canonical β-catenin-dependent Wnt signaling when compared to quiescent adult bone marrow HSPCs. We have compared here Wnt signaling activities in murine fetal and adult HSPCs and demonstrate a shift from Wnt/β-catenin-dependent signaling in fetal liver HSPCs to more predominantly noncanonical Wnt/polarity signaling in adult HSPCs. β-Catenin was selectively required for fetal HSPC competitiveness shortly after transplant, and protected cells from oxidative stress. Our results emphasize the complexity of Wnt signaling dynamics in HSPC maintenance and function.
CIRP increases ICAM-1+ phenotype of neutrophils exhibiting elevated iNOS and NETs in sepsis
Authors: Ode Yasumasa , Aziz Monowar , Wang Ping
Published: January 2018

Sepsis represents uncontrolled inflammation due to an infection. Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) is a stress-induced damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP). A subset of neutrophils expressing ICAM-1+ neutrophils was previously shown to produce high levels of reactive oxygen species. The role of CIRP for the development and function of ICAM-1+ neutrophils during sepsis is unknown. We hypothesize that CIRP induces ICAM-1 expression in neutrophils causing injury to the lungs during sepsis. Using a mouse model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis, we found increased expression of CIRP and higher frequencies and numbers of ICAM-1+ neutrophils in the lungs. Conversely, the CIRP−/− mice showed significant inhibition in the frequencies and numbers of ICAM-1+ neutrophils in the lungs compared to wild-type (WT) mice in sepsis. In vitro treatment of bone marrow-derived neutrophils (BMDN) with recombinant murine CIRP (rmCIRP) significantly increased ICAM-1+ phenotype in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The effect of rmCIRP on increasing frequencies of ICAM-1+ neutrophils was significantly attenuated in BMDN treated with anti-TLR4 Ab or NF-κB inhibitor compared, respectively, with BMDN treated with isotype IgG or DMSO. The frequencies of iNOS producing and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) forming phenotypes in rmCIRP-treated ICAM-1+ BMDN were significantly higher than those in ICAM-1− BMDN. Following sepsis the ICAM-1+ neutrophils in the lungs showed significantly higher levels of iNOS and NETs compared to ICAM-1− neutrophils. We further revealed that ICAM-1 and NETs were co-localized in the neutrophils treated with rmCIRP. CIRP−/− mice showed significant improvement in their survival outcome (78% survival) over that of WT mice (48% survival) in sepsis. Thus, CIRP could be a novel therapeutic target for regulating iNOS producing and NETs forming ICAM-1+ neutrophils in the lungs during sepsis.
Effects of nutrient variability in corn and xylanase inclusion on broiler performance, nutrient utilisation, and volatile fatty acid profiles
Authors: Williams M.P. , O'Neill H. V. Masey , York T. , Lee J.T.
Published: January 2018

The objective of the trial was to determine the impact of corn source and xylanase on broiler performance, digestibility, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles. Six corn samples were obtained from different regions of the US. Twelve treatments were derived using corn source, with each corn diet being fed with or without xylanase. Three dietary phases were used throughout the trial, starter (d 1–18), grower (d 19–31), and finisher (d 32–41). On d 18 and 41, ileal and excreta contents were collected for the determination of ileal digestible energy (IDE), ileal energy and nitrogen digestibility coefficients (IEDC and INDC), apparent metabolisable energy (AME), and caecal VFA profiles. Day 18 body weight (BW) was affected by corn source and varied between 724 and 764g (P = 0.001). For d 31 BW, there was an interaction of corn source with xylanase (P = 0.001), with the effect of xylanase being inconsistent. The effect of xylanase on feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the grower phase depended on corn source (interactive term, P = 0.021). Xylanase reduced (P = 0.026) FCR during the finisher phase (1.943 vs. 1.992). Variation of corn source influenced digestibility on all evaluated parameters. A range of 152 and 213 kcal/kg for IDE was observed on d 18 and 41, respectively (P = 0.005 and 0.001). The range of AME was 176 kcal/kg on d 18 of age which increased to 194 kcal/kg on d 41. Nitrogen digestibility was influenced by corn source, with an observed range of 4.4 and 6.1% for d 18 and 41, respectively, amongst all corn sources (P = 0.001). Xylanase increased (P = 0.031) the concentration of butyrate in the caecum on d 18. On d 41, an interaction between corn source and xylanase was observed with isovalerate in the caecal contents (P = 0.038). These data demonstrate the impact of varying corn nutrient profiles on nutrient utilisation and growth performance.
Effects of clouds on surface melting of Laohugou glacier No. 12, western Qilian Mountains, China
Authors: CHEN JIZU , QIN XIANG , KANG SHICHANG , DU WENTAO , SUN WEIJUN , LIU YUSHUO
Published: January 2018

We analyzed a 2-year time series of meteorological data (January 2011–December 2012) from three automatic weather stations on Laohugou glacier No. 12, western Qilian Mountains, China. Air temperature, humidity and incoming radiation were significantly correlated between the three sites, while wind speed and direction were not. In this work, we focus on the effects of clouds on other meteorological parameters and on glacier melt. On an average, ~18% of top-of-atmosphere shortwave radiation was attenuated by the clear-sky atmosphere, and clouds attenuated a further 12%. Most of the time the monthly average increases in net longwave radiation caused by clouds were larger than decreases in net shortwave radiation but there was a tendency to lose energy during the daytime when melting was most intense. Air temperature and wind speed related to turbulent heat flux were found to suppress glacier melt during cloudy periods, while increased water vapor pressure during cloudy days could enhance glacier melt by reducing energy loss by latent heat. From these results, we have increased the physical understanding of the significance of cloud effects on continental glaciers.
An empirical relationship for the seismic activity rate of the Groningen gas field
Authors: Hettema Marc H.H. , Jaarsma Bastiaan , Schroot Barthold M. , van Yperen Guido C.N.
Published: January 2018

The Groningen field is the largest onshore gas field in Europe. Continuous production since 1963 has led to induced seismicity starting in the early 1990s. Production measures aimed at lowering the level of seismicity have been implemented since 2014. In this paper we start from an empirical relationship between the cumulative number of seismic events and cumulative gas production. We show that a better way to analyse the data is to relate the ratio of activity rate over production rate versus the cumulative production, such that the model parameters and their uncertainty can be determined. This also allows us to make predictions including the confidence intervals.

Using this model, we first performed regression analysis based on the larger seismic catalogue which includes all recorded events with a magnitude of 1.3 and larger, because we consider this value to be the magnitude of completeness since 1995. We have also performed regression analysis based on a smaller seismic catalogue consisting of all events with a magnitude of 1.5 and larger. This was done in order to be able to compare our forecast with forecasts performed by others. Our prediction for 2016, based on the seismic catalogue of all events with a magnitude of M≥1.5 (using only the events recorded before 2016), was 16±8 events. By the end of 2016, 13 such events had been recorded.

We discuss a number of factors which may influence the predictive power of the derived relationship and which require further study. For instance, we consider the delay between production and earthquakes which increases with decreasing reservoir pressure. In addition, the effect of seasonal fluctuation in Groningen production should be considered. Future work can be done to include these effects in the empirical model. We also investigated the challenges related to the applicability of the analysis to sub-regions of the Groningen field.
Improved definition of faults in the Groningen field using seismic attributes
Authors: Kortekaas Marloes , Jaarsma Bastiaan
Published: January 2018

The Groningen field is the largest onshore gas field in Europe. The gas-bearing section comprises aeolian and fluvial Rotliegend sandstones of Permian age and fluvial sandstones of Carboniferous age. Continuous production since 1963 has led to induced seismicity starting in the early 1990s.

Faults at reservoir level play a major role in the seismicity in the Groningen field. Fault slip is expected when shear traction is sufficient to overcome frictional resistance on the fault surface. Clear insights into which faults and fault segments are most susceptible to seismicity could be used to optimise production and minimise the seismic risk. To gain these insights, a detailed and realistic fault model is required as input to both statistical analyses on seismicity and deterministic geomechanical modelling of seismogenic behaviour along fault planes. Geometrical seismic attributes and, subsequently, fault planes were extracted from a reprocessed and depth-imaged 3D seismic volume. This resulted in a detailed visualisation of the faults at reservoir level, with extension into the deeper strata below the reservoir in many cases. They represent fault planes with realistic dimensions and shapes. The fault map based on seismic attributes suggests the presence of faults that have not been included in studies on Groningen seismicity before. The improved fault definition correlates with recent earthquake hypocentres. We conclude that a detailed fault model of the Groningen field can be created using 3D seismic attributes and that detailed 3D fault planes can be extracted from these attributes. The results can be used as input to statistical and geomechanical analyses on seismicity.
Developing a model for the prediction of ground motions due to earthquakes in the Groningen gas field
Authors: Bommer Julian J. , Dost Bernard , Edwards Benjamin , Kruiver Pauline P. , Ntinalexis Michail , Rodriguez-Marek Adrian , Stafford Peter J. , van Elk Jan
Published: January 2018

Major efforts are being undertaken to quantify seismic hazard and risk due to production-induced earthquakes in the Groningen gas field as the basis for rational decision-making about mitigation measures. An essential element is a model to estimate surface ground motions expected at any location for each earthquake originating within the gas reservoir. Taking advantage of the excellent geological and geophysical characterisation of the field and a growing database of ground-motion recordings, models have been developed for predicting response spectral accelerations, peak ground velocity and ground-motion durations for a wide range of magnitudes. The models reflect the unique source and travel path characteristics of the Groningen earthquakes, and account for the inevitable uncertainty in extrapolating from the small observed magnitudes to potential larger events. The predictions of ground-motion amplitudes include the effects of nonlinear site response of the relatively soft near-surface deposits throughout the field.
Application of a mixed modelling approach to standardize catch-per-unit-effort data for an abalone dive fishery in Western Victoria, Australia
Authors: Giri Khageswor , Gorfine Harry
Published: January 2018

Despite the prevalence of catch per unit effort (CPUE) as a key metric in fisheries assessments it can be fraught with inherent problems that often cause its use as an index of abundance to become contentious. This is particularly the case with abalone, a sedentary shellfish targeted by commercial dive fishers around the globe. It is common practice to standardize CPUE to at least partly address issues about how well it reflects the actual abundance of a stock. Differences between standardized and unstandardized trends may lead to controversy between scientists and stakeholders when standardized trends provide a less optimistic picture of stock status. It is within this context that we applied Linear Mixed Model (LMM) and Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) methods to standardize CPUE for the Western Zone blacklip abalone fishery in Victoria, Australia. This fishery was chosen for our evaluation because it included substantial population losses from a disease shock during the middle of the time series. The effects of diver, reef location, month and their interactions with year were included as random effects in these models and the results compared with nominal geometric means. The two standardization methods provided similar standardized CPUE trends and clearly demonstrated that a large proportion of the variance could be attributed to diver and spatial effects. The GLMM seemed to explain more variability in the data and produced better precision for standardized CPUEs than LMM. The temporal trend in variability attributed to divers and spatial scales reveals the impact of disease as well as any homo/heterogeneity effect. The CPUE trends responded to the impact of disease against a backdrop of declining stock, however when compared with the inter-annual pattern in nominal CPUE, the standardized trends showed that the decline immediately following the onset of disease was less precipitous. In contrast to what appeared to be an increase in the nominal series during the more recent post-disease period, there was only a slight non-significant increase observable in the standardized trends.
A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF GROUP WALKING IN PHYSICALLY HEALTHY PEOPLE TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Authors: Meads Catherine , Exley Josephine
Published: January 2018

Background: Walking is a good way to meet physical activity guidelines. We examined the effectiveness of walking in groups compared with walking alone or inactive controls in physically healthy adults on physical activity and quality of life. (PROSPERO CRD42016033752).

Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Web of Knowledge Science Citation Index, and Cochrane CENTRAL until March 2016, for any comparative studies, in physically healthy adults, of walking in groups compared with inactive controls or walking alone, reporting any measure of physical activity. We searched references from recent relevant systematic reviews. Two reviewers checked study eligibility and independently extracted data. Disagreements were resolved through discussion. Quality was assessed using likelihood of selection, performance, attrition, and detection biases. Meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.3.

Results: From 1,404 citations, 18 studies were included in qualitative synthesis and 10 in meta-analyses. Fourteen compared group walking to inactive controls and four to walking alone. Eight reported more than one measure of physical activity, none reported according to current guidelines. Group walking compared with inactive controls increased follow-up physical activity (9 randomized controlled trials, standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.58 [95 percent confidence interval {CI}, 0.34–0.82] to SMD 0.43 [95 percent CI, 0.20–0.66]). Compared with walking alone, studies were too few and too heterogeneous to conduct meta-analysis, but the trend was improved physical activity at follow-up for group walking participants. Seven (all inactive control) reported quality-of-life: five showed statistically significantly improved scores.

Discussion: Better evidence may encourage government policy to promote walking in groups. Standardized physical activity outcomes need to be reported in research.
ERP priming studies of bilingual language processing
Authors: BOSCH SINA , LEMINEN ALINA
Published: January 2018

The aim of this review is to provide a selective overview of priming studies which have employed the event-related brain potential (ERP) technique in order to investigate bilingual language processing. The priming technique can reveal an implicit memory effect in which exposure to one stimulus influences the processing of another stimulus. Behavioral approaches, such as measuring reaction times, may not always be enough for providing a full view on the exact mechanisms and the time-course of language comprehension. Instead, ERPs have a time-resolution of a millisecond and hence they offer a precise temporal overview of the underlying neural processes involved in language processing. In our review, we summarize experimental research that has combined priming with ERP measurements, thus creating a valuable tool for examining the neurophysiological correlates of language processing in the bilingual brain.
Electoral Politics in Punjab: A Study of Shiromani Akali Dal
Authors: KUMAR ASHUTOSH
Published: January 2018

The article presents an overview of the electoral politics of Punjab as it has evolved since partition from the vantage point of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the oldest surviving state level party in India. It is argued that SAD has been the catalyst behind the major shifts in the politics of the post-partition state. Besides being the most successful party, apart from the Congress, since the state's reorganization in 1966, it has had statewide organizational presence. The Panthic party also receives attention, as it claims to be the legitimate custodian of the Sikh community's religious and cultural interests whenever they are perceived to be under threat, and not just their political interests. Post-militancy, the leadership of Badal has been instrumental in affecting a critical shift in the SAD agenda as it now seeks support based on its record at the front of development and governance rather than by evoking ethnic issues. Significantly, while SAD has retained its core social constituency of the rural Sikhs, it has also succeeded in reaching out to the urban Hindus, including the sizable dalits by following a regionalist populist agenda. Its long-standing alliance with the BJP, an urban Hindutva party, has helped the party broaden its support base. Emergence of AAP as the third credible alternative in what has long been a bipolar polity, with the political power remaining either with the Congress or with the SAD/BJP combine, has posed a fresh challenge to the long entrenched parties, most significantly the SAD which is no longer an ideologically driven cadre based driven movement party.
Purification and characterization of chitinase from the integument of the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and its antibacterial role
Authors: Mehranian Mahmoud , Pourabad Reza Farshbaf , Sokhandan-Bashir Nemat , Asoodeh Ahmad , Salihi Ahsan
Published: January 2018

Chitinases are found in species from all kingdoms, including Kingdom Animalia. We purified chitinase, poly [1,4-(N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminide)] glycanohydrolase, by cation exchange chromatography on SP-Sepharose from the integument of a lepidopteran, the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller, and further characterized it. Ephestia kuehniella chitinase has similar properties to other insect chitinases, with respect to the molecular mass. Its molecular mass was 79.7 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The optimum pH and temperature for activity were 6 and 40 °C, respectively. The purified enzyme exhibited stability at a pH range from 4.5 to 8.0 and showed high sensitivity to Co2+, Mn2+, Ca2+, Hg2+ and Ag+. The Km and Vmax values of E. kuehniella chitinase were, respectively, 3.98 mg/mL and 7.11 μmol/min/mg for colloidal chitin. In comparison to the values determined for the substrate affinity, the enzyme had a 2.36-fold higher affinity for Carboxymethyl–Chitin–Remazol Brilliant Violet (CM–Chitin–RBV) as a soluble substrate. We examined the antibacterial effect of E. kuehniella chitinase on the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The enzyme inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis and Escherichia coli, where the average diameter of inhibition zone was 20, 23 and 19 mm, respectively. The antimicrobial effect and chitinase activity strengthen the hypothesis that the enzyme could be used in biological control against plant pests.
Accounting for the Missing Silica in the Marine Sediment Cycle
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: January 2018

Cosmogenic silicon-based estimates of the amount of biogenic silica stored in clays along continental margins could explain the large discrepancy in the nutrient’s global marine budget.
Multiple colonist pools shape fiddler crab-associated bacterial communities
Authors: Cuellar-Gempeler Catalina , Leibold Mathew A
Published: January 2018

Colonization is a key component of community assembly because it continuously contributes new species that can potentially establish and adds individuals to established populations in local communities. Colonization is determined by the regional species pool, which is typically viewed as stable at ecological time scales. Yet, many natural communities including plants, birds and microbes, are exposed to several distinct and dynamic sources of colonists and how multiple colonist pools interact to shape local communities remains unclear. Using a 16S rRNA amplicon survey, we profiled bacteria within surface, subsurface and burrow sediments and assessed their role as colonist pools for fiddler crab-associated bacteria. We found significant differences in composition among sediment types, driven by halophilic taxa in the surface, and different Desulfobacteraceae taxa in the subsurface and burrow. Bacteria from burrow sediment colonized the crab carapace whereas gut bacterial communities were colonized by burrow and surface sediment bacteria. Despite distinct colonist pools influencing gut bacteria, variation in composition across gut samples did not lead to significant clusters. In contrast, carapace bacterial communities clustered in six distinct groups loosely associated with crab species. Our findings suggest that multiple colonist pools can influence local communities but factors explaining variation in community composition depend on local habitats. Recognizing multiple colonist pools expands our understanding of the interaction between regional and local processes driving community structure and diversity.