bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential of the European earwig (Forficula auricularia) as a biocontrol agent of the soft and stone fruit pest Drosophila suzukii
Authors: Bourne Adam , Fountain Michelle T , Wijnen Herman , Shaw Bethan
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

The unintentional introduction of Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) from Asia has caused global economic losses in the soft and stone fruit industries. Pesticide use can have unintended negative impacts on natural enemies, disrupting attempts to incorporate integrated pest management programmes. Generalist predators could potentially act as biocontrol agents of D. suzukii. In this context, the predatory capabilities of the European earwig (Forficula auricularia) were investigated.

RESULTS

In semi‐field conditions, F. auricularia were effective at reducing the reproductive rate of D. suzukii in more densely populated enclosures. In controlled laboratory conditions, significant negative effects of earwigs were observed for both low (three breeding pairs) and high (six breeding pairs) D. suzukii densities. Both semi‐field and laboratory experiments revealed that F. auricularia predation on adult D. suzukii could not account for the subsequent reductions in population density.

CONCLUSIONS

Reductions in both larval and adult offspring in the presence of earwigs indicate an impact on D. suzukii via predation prior to metamorphosis or disruption of oviposition. Although F. auricularia may predate D. suzukii populations, its capacity to act as a biocontrol agent may be limited. However, results suggest that F. auricularia may be a more effective biocontrol agent earlier in the growing season. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Spin Reversal Mechanism of a Perpendicular Exchange Bias System with an Antiferromagnet Incorporating a Parasitic Ferromagnetism
Authors: Ye Shujun , Shiokawa Yohei , Pati Satya P. , Sahashi Masashi
Published: May 2019

Aluminum doping produced the parasitic magnetization (Mpara) with high coercivity in 20 nm thin antiferromagnetic Cr2O3 films. By using the large coercive force of Mpara, whose direction is the same as the antiferromagnetic Cr2O3 surface spin, antiferromagnetic spin reversal can be detected through the vertical shift of the hysteresis loop of an antiferromagnetic‐Cr2O3/ferromagnet perpendicular exchange bias (PEB) coupling system. By analyzing both antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic spin reversals in response to external magnetic field and temperature, each spin reversal mechanism in a PEB system is clarified. It is found that the competition among Zeeman energy due to Mpara, exchange coupling energy, and antiferromagnetic anisotropy energy decides the antiferromagnetic spin direction and, accordingly, PEB sign under different cooling fields, different temperatures, and different swept magnetic fields for PEB systems. This work might contribute to a deep understanding of spin reversal mechanism in a perpendicular exchange bias system.
Sound Velocities and Elastic Moduli of Phases I and V of Silicon at High Pressures
Authors: Zhao Bin , Xu Feng , Belliard Laurent , Huang Haijun , Perrin Bernard , Djemia Philippe , Zerr Andreas
Published: May 2019

Pressure dependences of longitudinal sound velocities, in the two phases Si‐I and Si‐V of silicon having, respectively, cubic‐diamond and primitive‐hexagonal structures, are measured using the technique of picosecond laser ultrasonics adapted to samples compressed in a diamond anvil cell (DAC). For the Si‐I phase, stable at atmospheric pressure, the longitudinal sound velocity along the 〈100〉 direction is obtained in a single crystal up to 9 GPa. In the case of the Si‐V phase, the average sound velocity for an isotropic polycrystalline sample VL(avg) is measured for the first time between 18 and 27 GPa. Above this pressure, preferred orientation of the hexagonal crystallites of Si‐V, with their c‐axes parallel to the compressional direction in the DAC and to the acoustic pulse propagation direction, is progressively developing thus precluding further VL(avg) measurement. The experimental single crystal elastic constants C11(P) and C12(P) of Si‐I, and the shear modulus of polycrystalline Si‐V deduced here are in a very good agreement with our first principles calculations and with the earlier results reported for Si‐I.
Impacts of networking effects on software reliability growth processes: A multi‐attribute utility theory approach
Authors: Yi Zelong , Wen Yumei , Wu Xiaokun
Published: May 2019

Software reliability growth models, which are based on nonhomogeneous Poisson processes, are widely adopted tools when describing the stochastic failure behavior and measuring the reliability growth in software systems. Faults in the systems, which eventually cause the failures, are usually connected with each other in complicated ways. Considering a group of networked faults, we raise a new model to examine the reliability of software systems and assess the model's performance from real‐world data sets. Our numerical studies show that the new model, capturing networking effects among faults, well fits the failure data. We also formally study the optimal software release policy using the multi‐attribute utility theory (MAUT), considering both the reliability attribute and the cost attribute. We find that, if the networking effects among different layers of faults were ignored by the software testing team, the best time to release the software package to the market would be much later while the utility reaches its maximum. Sensitivity analysis is further delivered.
Reducing the complexity of visual navigation: Optical track controller for long‐range unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: Rosser Kent , Chahl Javaan
Published: May 2019

Using vision for navigation of airborne systems provides an opportunity for motion relative to the ground to be controlled in the absence of other supporting sensors including global navigation satellite systems. Rather than relying on computationally intensive localization techniques such as online map construction, identification and tracking of landmarks, or otherwise producing an explicit quantitative estimate of position, we propose and have experimentally demonstrated a closed‐loop visual navigation reflex which we term the optical ground course controller. The behavior is applicable to fixed wing aircraft traversing long ranges, and reduces the online computation and sensors required compared to other visual methods. This method combines the kinematics of fixed wing aircraft flight, the direction of apparent motion of an image sequence, and a magnetic compass to create a bioinspired optomotor reflex similar to those observed in insects. This behavior accurately controls track in the inertial reference frame (path taken over the ground) with only limited dependence on altitude, speed, and wind. We show that the proposed behavior is naturally convergent and stable, and present experimental results from simulation and real‐world flight demonstrating that the method performs robustly, producing improvement over both magnetic‐referenced and visual odometry‐based navigation within the limits of the sensor.
Modelling the effects of climate and flow regulation on ice‐affected backwater staging in a large northern river
Authors: Rokaya Prabin , Peters Daniel L. , Bonsal Barrie , Wheater Howard , Lindenschmidt Karl‐Erich
Published: May 2019

In cold region environments, ice‐jam floods (IJFs) pose a severe risk to local communities, economies, and ecosystems. Previous studies have shown that both climate and regulation affect IJF probabilities, but their relative impacts are poorly understood. This study presents a probabilistic modelling framework that couples hydrologic and hydraulic models to assess the relative role of regulated and naturalized flows on ice‐affected backwater staging. The framework is evaluated at an IJF‐prone town on the Peace River in western Canada, which has been regulated since 1972. Naturalized flows were generated for the comparison, and ice‐affected backwater profiles were calculated along jams of varying length and location and for different combinations of model parameters and boundary conditions. Results show significant differences in backwater staging (~2 m for a return period of T = 1:10 year) between two study time periods (1973–1992 vs 1993–2012) as compared with two different hydraulic flow conditions (regulated vs naturalized), suggesting a larger role of climate than regulation in backwater staging. However, regulation was found to offset flood risk during the 1973–1992 period and exacerbate flood risk during the 1993–2012 period.
A conditional error function approach for adaptive enrichment designs with continuous endpoints
Authors: Placzek Marius , Friede Tim
Published: May 2019

Adaptive enrichment designs offer an efficient and flexible way to demonstrate the efficacy of a treatment in a clinically defined full population or in, eg, biomarker‐defined subpopulations while controlling the family‐wise Type I error rate in the strong sense. Frequently used testing strategies in designs with two or more stages include the combination test and the conditional error function approach. Here, we focus on the latter and present some extensions. In contrast to previous work, we allow for multiple subgroups rather than one subgroup only. For nested as well as nonoverlapping subgroups with normally distributed endpoints, we explore the effect of estimating the variances in the subpopulations. Instead of using a normal approximation, we derive new t‐distribution–based methods for two different scenarios. First, in the case of equal variances across the subpopulations, we present exact results using a multivariate t‐distribution. Second, in the case of potentially varying variances across subgroups, we provide some improved approximations compared to the normal approximation. The performance of the proposed conditional error function approaches is assessed and compared to the combination test in a simulation study. The proposed methods are motivated by an example in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Subgroup identification via homogeneity pursuit for dense longitudinal/spatial data
Authors: Li Jialiang , Yue Mu , Zhang Wenyang
Published: May 2019

In the clinical trial community, it is usually not easy to find a treatment that benefits all patients since the reaction to treatment may differ substantially across different patient subgroups. The heterogeneity of treatment effect plays an essential role in personalized medicine. To facilitate the development of tailored therapies and improve the treatment efficacy, it is important to identify subgroups that exhibit different treatment effects. We consider a very general framework for subgroup identification via the homogeneity pursuit methods usually employed in econometric time series analysis. The change point detection algorithm in our procedure is most suitable for analyzing dense longitudinal or spatial data which are quite common for biomedical studies these days. We demonstrate that our proposed method is fast and accurate through extensive numerical studies. In particular, our method is illustrated by analyzing a diffusion tensor imaging data set.
3D Patternable Supercapacitors from Hierarchically Architected Porous Fiber Composites for Wearable and Waterproof Energy Storage
Authors: Wen Jianfeng , Xu Bingang , Zhou Jinyun , Xu Jiangtao , Chen Yuejiao
Published: May 2019

High‐performance wearable supercapactors (SCs) are gaining prominence as portable energy storage devices. To further enhance both energy and power density, the significant relationship between structure and performance inspires a delicate design of 3D patternable supercapacitors with a hierarchical architecture of porous conductive fibers composited with pseudocapacitive materials. In this work, the polypyrrole nanowires arrays decorated 3D graphite felt fiber assembly is initially fabricated as the conductive scaffold, followed by the distribution of the highly conductive and pseudocapacitive NiCoSe2 nanoparticles. Moreover, to realize the goal of standardized batch and pattern processing of the wearable SCs, laser engraving and silicone sealing techniques are employed, and SC devices with different patterns are successfully fabricated and encapsulated. Notably, the resulting SCs exhibit both stable electrochemical performance and effective waterproof properties, with the highest specific capacitance of 5.21 F cm−3 (113.36 F g−1) at the current density of 0.025 A cm−3 (0.5 F g−1), and the highest energy density of 1.09 mWh cm−3 (22.14 Wh kg−1) at a power density of 16.5 mW cm−3 (358.7 W kg−1).
Highly Porous Microcarriers for Minimally Invasive In Situ Skeletal Muscle Cell Delivery
Authors: Kankala Ranjith Kumar , Zhao Jia , Liu Chen‐Guang , Song Xiao‐Jie , Yang Da‐Yun , Zhu Kai , Wang Shi‐Bin , Zhang Yu Shrike , Chen Ai‐Zheng
Published: May 2019

Microscale cell carriers have recently garnered enormous interest in repairing tissue defects by avoiding substantial open surgeries using implants for tissue regeneration. In this study, the highly open porous microspheres (HOPMs) are fabricated using a microfluidic technique for harboring proliferating skeletal myoblasts and evaluating their feasibility toward cell delivery application in situ. These biocompatible HOPMs with particle sizes of 280–370 µm possess open pores of 10–80 µm and interconnected paths. Such structure of the HOPMs conveniently provide a favorable microenvironment, where the cells are closely arranged in elongated shapes with the deposited extracellular matrix, facilitating cell adhesion and proliferation, as well as augmented myogenic differentiation. Furthermore, in vivo results in mice confirm improved cell retention and vascularization, as well as partial myoblast differentiation. These modular cell‐laden microcarriers potentially allow for in situ tissue construction after minimally invasive delivery providing a convenient means for regeneration medicine.
Dopant‐Free Hole‐Transporting Layer Based on Isomer‐Pure Tetra‐Butyl‐Substituted Zinc(II) Phthalocyanine for Planar Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Dong Lei , Hu Qikun , Rezaee Ehsan , Chen Qian , Yang Songhe , Cai Siyuan , Liu Bingchen , Pan Jia-Hong , Xu Zong-Xiang
Published: May 2019

Herein, the important role of the isomer purity of hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) in achieving high‐performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is highlighted. The isomer‐pure 2,9,16,24‐tetra‐n‐butyl‐Zn(II) phthalocyanine (RE‐ZnBu4Pc) is directly synthesized through a ring expansion method, without any further purification. The ground‐state absorption, fluorescence and thermal properties of RE‐ZnBu4Pc and the isomer mixture ZnBu4Pc, along with their hole mobilities and film morphologies are investigated, proving that RE‐ZnBu4Pc can be the more efficient HTM. The devices based on RE‐ZnBu4Pc, as dopant‐free HTMs, achieve a higher average power conversion efficiency (PCE of 11.49% ± 0.67%) and more stability at 25 °C and under 75% relative humidity than that of isomer mixture ZnBu4Pc (PCE of 9.51% ± 1.15%). RE‐ZnBu4Pc‐based PSCs also show better reproducibility in the fabrication process. This study demonstrates that better device performance can be expected for PSCs with isomer‐pure HTM materials.
Experimental study on the compressive strength and shrinkage of concrete containing fly ash and ground granulated blast‐furnace slag
Authors: Li Qingfu , Zhang Qiuyu
Published: May 2019

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the compressive strength and shrinkage (drying shrinkage and plastic shrinkage) property of concrete specimens with fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast‐furnace slag (GGBS), and moreover, the content level and curing age were considered in this experiment. The results show that the addition of FA and GGBS has a significant effect on the compressive strength and shrinkage properties of concrete. It indicated that the compressive strength of specimens decreases gradually due to the reduction of cement hydration products, when the curing age is less than 14 days. Nevertheless, once the curing time exceeds 7 days, the compressive strength increases initially and then decreases. Similarly, the compressive strength of concrete with GGBS increases slightly at first and then decreases, when the content level exceeds the critical value. The variety rule of plastic shrinkage cracks with FA and GGBS is similar to that of compressive strength; however, the variety rule of drying shrinkage strain is contrary to the above experimental results. Furthermore, in the early stage of curing, the GGBS is the main factor on improving strength and drying shrinkage properties, though for the later stage, the FA becomes the main factor instead of GGBS.
Forensic stable isotope signatures: Comparing, geo‐locating, detecting linkage
Authors: Meier‐Augenstein Wolfram
Published: May 2019

Stable isotope signatures or profiles of physical evidence such as illicit drugs, explosives or human tissue provide information on source, origin, even sample history not obtainable by traditionally applied analytical techniques of forensic chemistry. The discriminatory power, calculated as random match probability, of multivariate stable isotope signatures able to distinguish two cocaine samples from different regions in Colombia can range from one in tens of thousands to one in several million if based on the stable isotope abundances of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen or carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen, respectively. Stable isotope signatures of physical evidence have therefore at the very least great potential to provide invaluable forensic intelligence for intelligence led policing. They may even be of great evidentiary value, especially if corroborated by results from independent analytical techniques. This review aims to offer a glimpse into the fascinating world of forensic stable isotope analysis by discussing the various levels of information stable isotope signatures can provide. For reasons easily appreciated, only a select few instances of its application to criminal investigations have been reported in scientific journals thus far. The various applications of this technique presented in this review are therefore predominantly taken from peer‐reviewed work published in scientific books and journals.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Biology > Interpretation of Biological Evidence

Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Explosive Analysis

Toxicology > Drug Analysis
Impacting Growth Mindsets in Student Employment
Authors: Baldwin Amy
Published: May 2019

This chapter discusses the importance of a growth mindset for employability and how leadership educators and supervisors can assist students’ development in this area. The ability to have a growth mindset ensures that students see an opportunity in setbacks and their own growth and development.
Return Migration Process in Policy and Practice
Authors: Kļave Evija , Šūpule Inese
Published: May 2019

This chapter focuses on return migration processes in Latvia, integrating analysis of return migration policy and the experiences of return migrants. The analysis considers the extent to which return policy activities correspond to the needs and expectations of the target group, and addresses the role of this policy in the process of making the decision to return. The data used for the analysis are policy planning documents, The Emigrant Communities of Latvia survey and in-depth interviews. The main empirical evidence of the return experiences of migrants in the chapter comes from 18 in-depth interviews with Latvian returnees from various age and social status groups, who left Latvia within a period between 1991 and 2011. This research finds that although the government’s policy corresponds to the general needs of return migrants, this policy has no impact on individual return decisions among Latvian migrants. The main reasons for return are non-economic. If economic reasons dominate the reasons for leaving – alongside a wish to see the world or get an education – then coming back is connected with homesickness, a willingness to spend more time with relatives in Latvia, a longing for Latvian nature, a desire to speak Latvian and to live in the Latvian environment. It also eliminates the risk of assimilation for their children in the society of the country they have emigrated to.
Oral Interactions in Secondary Science Classrooms: a Grounded Approach to Identifying Oral Feedback Types and Practices
Authors: Mapplebeck Andrea , Dunlop Lynda
Published: May 2019

Feedback is an important practice in promoting learning. This study examines teachers’ oral feedback practices, with an analysis grounded in students’ perceptions of what helps them learn. Based on 38 hours of lesson observations, interviews with 10 teachers and 84 students, we identify how teachers conceptualise and practice oral feedback. Based on student interviews, three main types of oral interaction were found to constitute feedback: discrepancy, success criteria comments and open questions. Current practices appear to address the feedback dimensions of ‘How am I going?’ and ‘Where to next?’, but seem to be lacking with respect to addressing the question related to ‘Where am I going?’ Feedback is infrequently used by science teachers compared with other types of oral interaction and the feedback types most frequently reported by students to help learning were used least often. Teachers used oral feedback types differently in whole class and small group situations. We use findings to elaborate an ideal-typical model of feedback practices, with divergent practices involving more frequent use of oral feedback, focusing on learning rather than task. The study concludes with implications for practice in teaching and teacher education.
Toward Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Performance in Physics Education: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment
Authors: Molin François , Cabus Sofie , Haelermans Carla , Groot Wim
Published: May 2019

This study evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention of formative assessments with a clicker-based technology on anxiety and academic performance. We use a randomized experiment in physics education in one school in Dutch secondary education. For treated students, the formative assessments are operationalized through quizzing at the end of each physics class, where clickers enable students to respond to questions. Control students do not receive these assessments and do not use clickers, but apart from that, the classes they attend are similar. Findings from multilevel regressions indicate that the formative assessments significantly reduce anxiety in physics and improve academic performance in physics in comparison with traditional teaching. Furthermore, a mediation effect of anxiety in physics on academic performance is observed. In sum, this implies that an easy to implement technique of formative assessments can make students feel more at ease, which contributes to better educational performance.
An Anscombean Perspective on Habitual Action
Authors: Kalis Annemarie , Ometto Dawa
Published: May 2019

Much of the time, human beings seem to rely on habits. Habits are learned behaviours directly elicited by context cues, and insensitive to short-term changes in goals: therefore they are sometimes irrational. But even where habitual responses are rational (contributing to current goal fulfillment), it can seem as if they are nevertheless not done for reasons. For, on a common understanding of habitual behaviour, agents’ intentions do not play any role in the coming about of such responses. This paper discusses under what conditions we can say that habitual responses are, after all, done for reasons. We show how the idea that habitual behaviour cannot be understood as ‘acting for reasons’ stems from a widely but often implicitly held theoretical framework: the causal theory of action. We then propose an alternative, Anscombean understanding of intentional action, which can account for habitual responses being done for reasons.
Sectoral dimensions of Poland's investment development path revisited
Authors: Gorynia Marian , Nowak Jan , Trąpczyński Piotr , Wolniak Radosław
Published: May 2019

The purpose of the present paper is to determine the changes of the sector and industry structure of FDI and to confront the observed patterns with the hypotheses or predictions derived from the IDP model. At the heart of the IDP model lies the concept of net outward investment (NOI). The NOI position (NOIP), broken down by the main sectors and component industries of the Polish economy, is analyzed for the period of 1996–2016. We develop a conceptual framework of the sectoral shifts in the composition of NOIP along its different stages. Subsequently, our panel regression analysis indicates that the relative share of a sector in inward and outward FDI stocks is positively related to its level of technological intensity and its level of service intensity.
An instability mechanism for particulate pipe flow
Authors: Rouquier Anthony , Pothérat Alban , Pringle Chris C. T.
Published: May 2019

We present a linear stability analysis for a simple model of particle-laden pipe flow. The model consists of a continuum approximation for the particles, two-way coupled to the fluid velocity field via Stokes drag (Saffman, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 13 (01), 1962, pp. 120–128). We extend previous analysis in a channel (Klinkenberg et al., Phys. Fluids, vol. 23 (6), 2011, 064110) to allow for the initial distribution of particles to be inhomogeneous in a similar manner to Boronin (Fluid Dyn., vol. 47 (3), 2012, pp. 351–363) and in particular consider the effect of allowing the particles to be preferentially located around one radius in accordance with experimental observations. This simple modification of the problem is enough to alter the stability properties of the flow, and in particular can lead to a linear instability offering an alternative route to turbulence within this problem.
Drivers of working longer: Results from a large-scale and representative German employee survey
Authors: Schulz-Dadaczynski Anika , Wendsche Johannes , Lohmann-Haislah Andrea , Stab Nicole
Published: May 2019

Most research on the factors driving employees to work longer than expected or preagreed has focused on behaviors of work extension and has widely neglected work intensification. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate whether job demands, as well as employees' job-related resources and personal resources (skill discretion, educational level), predict behavioral indicators of work extension (total working hours, overtime) and work intensification (skipping mandatory rest breaks). We use data from the sixth wave of a large cross-sectional and representative German employee survey (N = 10 148). The findings suggest that job demands and skill discretion are positively associated with the different behaviors of working longer. The relationship between work extension and skill discretion is stronger for higher-educated employees than for lower-educated employees. Our findings suggest that specific job demands and resources must be considered simultaneously to explain working longer and to differentiate between behaviors of working longer.
Antimutagenic and some other effects of conjugated linoleic acid
Authors: Kritchevsky David
Published: May 2019

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a collective term for positional and geometric isomers of octadecadienoic acid in which the double bonds are conjugated, i.e. contiguous. CLA was identified as a component of milk and dairy products over 20 years ago. It is formed as an intermediate in the course of the conversion of linoleic acid to oleic acid in the rumen. The predominant naturally occurring isomer is thecis-9,trans-11 modification. Treatment of linoleic acid-rich oils such as safflower oil, soyabean oil, or maize oil with base and heat will result in the formation of CLA. Two isomers predominate in the synthetic preparation, c9,t11 and t10,c12. CLA has been shown to inhibit chemically-induced skin, stomach, mammary or colon tumours in mice and rats. The inhibition of mammary tumours in rats is effective regardless of type of carcinogen or type or amount of dietary fat. CLA has also been shown to inhibit cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis in rabbits. When young animals (mice, pigs) are placed on CLA-containing diets after weaning they accumulate more body protein and less fat. Since CLA is derived from the milk of ruminant animals and is found primarily in their meat and in products derived from their milk there is a concerted world-wide effort to increase CLA content of milk by dietary means. Its effect on growth (less fat, more protein) is also a subject of active research. The mechanisms underlying the effects of CLA are still moot.
Consumption of olive oil has opposite effects on plasma total cholesterol and sphingomyelin concentrations in rats
Authors: Geelen Math J. H. , Beynen Anton C.
Published: May 2019

The hypothesis that olive-oil consumption alters plasma sphingomyelin concentrations and hepatic sphingomyelin metabolism was tested. Rats were fed on purified, high-cholesterol diets with either coconut fat or olive-oil (180 g/kg). In accordance with previous work, olive-oilv. coconut-fat consumption significantly elevated hepatic and total plasma cholesterol concentrations. During the course of the experiment, the concentration of plasma sphingomyelin rose in the coconut-fat group and remained constant in the olive-oil group. When compared with the coconut-fat-fed group, the plasma sphingomyelin levels were significantly lower in the olive-oil-fed group after 14 and 21 d of treatment. Dietary olive oil raised the amounts of cholesterol and sphingomyelin in the VLDL density region, and this change was associated with a reduction in the cholesterol and sphingomyelin contents of the LDL and HDL density ranges. Olive-oil consumption reduced the activity of serine palmitoyltransferase, while the activities of phosphatidylcholine:ceramide cholinephosphotransferase and phosphatidylethanolamine:ceramide ethanolaminephosphotransferase were left unchanged. Dietary olive oil also enhanced the activity of acidic sphingomyelinase, but not that of neutral sphingomyelinase. The present data indicate that dietary olive oilv. coconut fat has opposite effects on total plasma cholesterol and sphingomyelin concentrations. The lower plasma sphingomyelin levels observed in olive-oil-fed, as compared with coconut-fat-fed rats, may be explained by a simultaneous elevation and reduction in sphingomyelin catabolism and synthesis respectively, as based on the measured enzyme activities.
Low dose oral iodized oil for control of iodine deficiency in children
Authors: Zimmermann Michael , Adou Pierre , Torresani Toni , Zeder Christophe , Hurrell Richard
Published: May 2019

In areas where iodized salt is not available, oral iodized oil is often used to correct I deficiency despite a lack of consensus on the optimal dose or duration of effect, particularly in children, a main target group. Annual doses ranging from 400 to 1000 mg have been advocated for school-age children. Because lower doses of iodized oil have been shown to be effective in treating I deficiency in adults, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a low dose of oral iodized oil in goitrous I-deficient children. Goitrous children (n 104, mean age 8·4 years, range 6–12 years, 47 % female) received 0·4 ml oral iodized poppyseed-oil containing 200 mg I. Baseline measurements included I in spot urines (UI), serum thyroxine (T4), whole blood thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroid-gland volume using ultrasound. At 1, 5, 10, 15, 30 and 50 weeks post-intervention, UI, TSH and T4 were measured. At 10, 15, 30 and 50 weeks, thyroid-gland volume was remeasured. At 30 and 50 weeks the mean percentage change in thyroid volume from baseline was -35 % and -41 % respectively. The goitre rate fell to 38 % at 30 weeks and 17 % at 50 weeks. No child showed signs of I-induced hypo- or hyperthyroidism. UI remained significantly increased above baseline for the entire year (P < 0·001); the median UI at 50 weeks was 97 μg/l, at the World Health Organization cut-off value (100 μg/l) for I-deficiency disorders risk. In this group of goitrous children, an oral dose of 200 mg I as Lipiodol (Guerbert, Roissy CdG Cedex, France) was safe and effective for treating goitre and maintaining normal I status for at least 1 year.
Response of putative indices of copper status to copper supplementation in human subjects
Authors: Kehoe Claire A. , Turley Eithne , Bonham Maxine P. , O'Connor Jacqueline M. , McKeown Andrea , Faughnan Marian S. , Coulter James S. , Gilmore William S. , Howard Alan N. , Strain J. J.
Published: May 2019

No sensitive functional index is currently available to assess Cu status in healthy human populations. This study evaluated the effect of Cu supplementation on putative indices of Cu status in twelve women and twelve men, aged between 22 and 45 years, who participated in a double-blind placebo controlled crossover study. The study consisted of three 6-week supplementation regimens of 3 mg CuSO4, 3 mg Cu-glycine chelate and 6 mg Cu-glycine chelate, each separated by placebo periods of equal length. Women had significantly higher caeruloplasmin oxidase activity (P< 0·001), caeruloplasmin protein concentration (P< 0·05), and serum diamine oxidase activity (P< 0·01) at baseline than men. Erythrocyte and leucocyte superoxide dismutase activity, leucocyte cytochromecoxidase activity, and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity did not respond to Cu supplementation. Platelet cytochromecoxidase activity was significantly higher (P< 0·01), after supplementation with 6 mg Cu-glycine chelate in the total group and in women but did not change in men. Caeruloplasmin oxidase activity was significantly higher (P< 0·05), in men after supplementation with 3 mg Cu-glycine chelate, while caeruloplasmin protein concentration was significantly lower in men after supplementation with 6 mg Cu-glycine chelate (P< 0·05). Serum diamine oxidase activity was significantly higher after all supplementation regimens in the total group and in both men and women (P< 0·01). These results indicate that serum diamine oxidase activity is sensitive to changes in dietary Cu intakes and may also have the potential to evaluate changes in Cu status in healthy adult human subjects.
Effects of isoenergetic overfeeding of either carbohydrate or fat in young men
Authors: Lammert Ole , Grunnet Niels , Faber Peter , Bjørnsbo Kirsten Schroll , Dich John , Larsen Lis Olesen , Neese Richard A. , Hellerstein Marc K. , Quistorff Bjørn
Published: May 2019

Ten pairs of normal men were overfed by 5 MJ/d for 21 d with either a carbohydrate-rich or a fat-rich diet (C- and F-group). The two subjects in each pair were requested to follow each other throughout the day to ensure similar physical activity and were otherwise allowed to maintain normal daily life. The increase in body weight, fat free mass and fat mass showed great variation, the mean increases being 1·5 kg, 0·6 kg and 0·9 kg respectively. No significant differences between the C- and F-group were observed. Heat production during sleep did not change during overfeeding. The RQ during sleep was 0·86 and 0·78 in the C- and F-group respectively. The accumulated faecal loss of energy, DM, carbohydrate and protein was significantly higher in the C- compared with the F-group (30, 44, 69 and 51 % higher respectively), whereas the fat loss was the same in the two groups. N balance was not different between the C- and F-group and was positive. Fractional contribution from hepaticde novolipogenesis, as measured by mass isotopomer distribution analysis after administration of [1-13C]acetate, was 0·20 and 0·03 in the C-group and the F-group respectively. Absolute hepaticde novolipogenesis in the C-group was on average 211 g per 21 d. Whole-bodyde novolipogenesis, as obtained by the difference between fat mass increase and dietary fat available for storage, was positive in six of the ten subjects in the C-group (mean 332 (SEM 191) g per 21 d). The change in plasma leptin concentration was positively correlated with the change in fat mass. Thus, fat storage during overfeeding of isoenergetic amounts of diets rich in carbohydrate or in fat was not significantly different, and carbohydrates seemed to be converted to fat by both hepatic and extrahepatic lipogenesis.
Resting energy expenditure, activity energy expenditure and total energy expenditure at age 91–96 years
Authors: Rothenberg Elisabet M. , Bosaeus Ingvar G. , Westerterp Klaas R. , Steen Bertil C.
Published: May 2019

There is a limited knowledge concerning energy requirements of the elderly, especially the oldest old (> 80 years). Energy requirements should be estimated from measurements of energy expenditure. For this purpose twenty-one free-living individuals (eight males, thirteen females) aged 91–96 years living in Göteborg, Sweden were studied. Total body water (TBW) measured by the doubly-labelled-water (DLW) technique was 29·5 (SD 5·4) KG IN FEMALES AND 35·6 (sd 4·3) kg in males. TBW measured using bioelectric impedance (BIA) was 31·6 (sd 6·4) kg in females and 42·0 (sd 7·4) kg in males. The mean difference between TBW measured by BIA and that measured by DLW was 3·54 (sd 3·6) kg (P = 0·0002). Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was measured using a ventilated-hood system and averaged 5·36 (sd 0·71) MJ/d in females (n 12) and 6·09 (sd 0·91) MJ/d in males (n 8). Difference between measured RMR and predicted BMR (n 20) was 0·015 (sd 0·86) MJ/d (NS). Total energy expenditure (TEE) measured by DLW averaged 6·3 (sd 0·81) MJ/d in females and 8·1 (sd 0·73) MJ/d in males. Activity energy expenditure (TEE - RMR), thus including diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), averaged 0·95 (sd 0·95) MJ/d in females (n 12) and 2·02 (sd 1·13) MJ/d in males. Physical activity level (TEE/BMR) averaged 1·19 (sd 0·19) in females and 1·36 (sd 0·21) (P = 0·08) in males. If DIT is assumed to be 10 % of the TEE, energy spent on physical activity will be very low in this population.
Dietary calcium and phosphate restriction in guinea-pigs during pregnancy: fetal mineralization induces maternal hypocalcaemia despite increased 1α,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol concentrations
Authors: Rummens Katrien , Herck Erik Van , Bree Rita van , Bouillon Roger , Van Assche F. André , Verhaeghe Johan
Published: May 2019

Guinea-pig fetuses at term are mineralized to a degree comparable with human fetuses, which makes the guinea-pig an attractive animal model to study maternal–fetal interactions with regard to Ca and phosphate (P) homeostasis. We studied non-pregnant and pregnant (day 57) vitamin D-replete guinea-pigs, fed either a normal guinea-pig chow with 9·6 g Ca/kg and 4·9 g P/kg or a study diet with 2 g Ca/kg and 1 g P/kg (low-Ca–P diet) for 7–8 weeks. Both pregnancy and the low-Ca–P diet decreased plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3), but increased total and free 1α,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3), strongly suggesting an additive stimulation of 1α-hydroxylase activity. Maternal and fetal 25(OH)D3and 1,25(OH)2D3levels were highly correlated (r0·82 and 0·92 respectively, P<0·001). Dual-energy absorption X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) showed that both pregnancy and the low-Ca–P diet decreased bone mineral density (BMD) of the maternal femur, particularly at the distal metaphysis. Despite higher 1,25(OH)2D3concentrations and lower BMD, pregnant animals on the low-Ca–P diet were hypocalcaemic; blood Ca2+levels were inversely correlated with the number of fetuses in this group (r-0·93, P<0·001). Fetal growth as well as mineralization (assessed by whole-body and femoral DXA, bone histomorphometry and plasma–bone osteocalcin measurements) were unaltered in the low-Ca–P group. In conclusion, fetal mineralization proceeds normally but induces maternal hypocalcaemia in guinea-pigs with dietary restriction of Ca and P.
Comparison of high-fat and high-carbohydrate foods in a meal or snack on short-term fat and energy intakes in obese women
Authors: Green S. M. , Wales J. K. , Lawton C. L. , Blundell J. E.
Published: May 2019

The present study aimed to compare the action of high-fat and high-carbohydrate (CHO) foods on meal size (satiation) and post-meal satiety in obese women. A within-subjects design was used; each participant received all four nutritional challenges. Fifteen healthy obese women (age 21–56 years, BMI 35–48 kg/m2) participated; thirteen completed all four test days. On two test days, participants were exposed to a nutritional challenge comprising an ad libitum high-fat or high-CHO lunch. On the other two test days they were exposed to a challenge comprising an ad libitum sweet high-fat or high-CHO mid-afternoon snack. Energy and macronutrient intakes were measured at each eating episode. Visual analogue rating scales were completed periodically to record subjective feelings of appetite. When offered a high-CHO selection of foods at lunch and mid-afternoon participants consumed less energy than when offered a high-fat selection. However, post-meal satiety was similar. Total test-day energy intake was significantly higher when high-fat foods were consumed at lunch, but not as a snack. Consumption of high-fat foods at a lunch and snack increased the amount of fat consumed over the whole test day. In conclusion, energy intake of an eating episode was influenced by nutrient composition in this group of obese women. Consumption of high-fat foods at lunch or as a snack led to overconsumption relative to high-CHO foods. However, high-fat foods at meals may have greater potential to influence daily intake than at snacks, probably because meals are larger eating episodes and therefore give greater opportunity to overconsume.
High-fructose feeding of streptozotocin-diabetic rats is associated with increased cataract formation and increased oxidative stress in the kidney
Authors: Bell Rhonda C. , Carlson John C. , Storr Katrina C. , Herbert Kelley , Sivak Jacob
Published: May 2019

We examined the effects of high-fructose (FR) feeding on the development of diabetic complications in the lens and the kidney of streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Male Wistar Furth rats were treated with one of two doses of STZ (HIGH STZ, 55 mg/kg body weight; MOD STZ, 35 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle alone (SHAM) and were then assigned to a control (CNTL) or 400 g FR/kg diet for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, body weight, plasma glucose and insulin concentrations differed among STZ groups (HIGH v. MOD v. SHAM, P<0·001) but did not differ due to diet. Plasma FR concentrations were significantly higher in FR-fed v. CNTL-fed groups (P<0·0001) and in HIGH-STZ groups v. MOD-STZ and SHAM groups (P<0·0004 and P<0·0001 respectively). Focal length variability of the lens, a quantitative measure of cataract formation, was increased in the HIGH STZ, FR group compared with the HIGH STZ, CNTL group (P<0·01). The concentration of H2O2 in kidney microsomes was significantly higher in HIGH STZ, FR rats v. HIGH STZ, CNTL rats (P<0·01). Microalbuminuria was not observed in any of the groups examined, and there was no evidence of extensive histological damage in the kidney from any rats. Under conditions of severe hyperglycaemia, high FR intake promotes the development of cataracts in the lens of the eye, and results in increased concentrations of substances indicative of oxidative stress in the kidney. Although FR has been suggested as a carbohydrate source for diabetics, a high FR diet coupled with hyperglycaemia produces effects that may promote some of the complications associated with diabetes.
Profiles of faecal output of rare earth elements and stable isotopic tracers of iron and zinc after oral administration
Authors: Ulusoy Ulvi , Whitley John E.
Published: May 2019

The objectives of this study were to confirm the non-absorbability and the reproducibility of faecal excretion kinetics of orally administered rare earth elements, and to investigate the excretion profiles of rare earth elements and stable isotopic tracers of Fe and Zn to establish the extent to which rare earth element markers duplicate the behaviour of isotopic tracers. Two investigations were performed: (1) six healthy subjects consumed a solution containing five rare earth elements in amounts varying from 1 to 10 mg; (2) seven healthy subjects were given a standard solution labelled with Sm marker and57Fe tracer, and a meal labelled with Yb marker and58Fe and70Zn tracers. Individual faecal samples were collected and analysed to determine recoveries of rare earth elements and unabsorbed isotopic tracers. The mean values for recoveries were 94·1 (SD 4·5) % FOR THE FIVE RARE EARTH ELEMENTS, AND 103 (sd 3·0) % and 99·8 (sd 2·8) % for Sm and Yb respectively. For Fe consumed with the solution, excretion kinetics of the rare earth element marker and unabsorbed tracers with cumulative collections of the first two and three faecal samples were identical, but endogenous excretion of Fe was significant (P<0·05) in stools collected after the third. For Fe and Zn consumed with the meal, the excretion kinetics for the first two individual faecal samples and composites of sequential outputs were identical. Rare earth elements can be used as markers in studies of measurement of absorption. The dose of tracer required for the measurement of absorption would be reduced proportionally to the reduction of the period of faecal sampling, so that studies with stable isotopes would be more economical, thus enabling epidemiological investigations.
Age-related changes in plasma lycopene concentrations, but not in vitamin E, are associated with fat mass
Authors: Grolier Pascal , Boirie Yves , Levadoux Evelyne , Brandolini Marion , Borel Patrick , Azais-Braesco Véronique , Beaufrère Bernard , Ritz Patrick
Published: May 2019

The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of age on plasma concentration of α-tocopherol, retinol and carotenoids with a special attention paid to natural differences in body composition. Forty healthy subjects were recruited: twenty were less than 35 years old and twenty above 60 years old. Males and females were equally represented in each age group. Subjects were kept in energy balance and received controlled diets for 36 h. Fat mass and fat-free mass were determined with the180-enriched water dilution technique. Plasma vitamins A and E, and carotenoid levels were determined after 12 h fasting and were shown to be similar in women and men. Plasma α-tocopherol concentration increased with age (+44 % elderlyv.young), and correlated with % fat mass and plasma cholesterol. After adjustment for plasma cholesterol, the effect of age and % fat mass disappeared. In contrast, plasma lycopene level was 2-fold lower in the elderly than in the young group, and was inversely correlated with fat mass. When lycopene values were adjusted for fat mass, the effect of age disappeared. These results suggest that plasma levels of vitamin E and lycopene differed in the two age groups and that differences in plasma cholesterol and fat mass might participate in such an effect. Short-term vitamin intake did not appear to influence plasma vitamin concentrations.
Effects of aliphatic dioic acids and glycerol-1,2,3-tris(dodecanedioate) on D-glucose-stimulated insulin release in rat pancreatic islets
Authors: Malaisse W. J. , Greco A. V. , Mingrone G.
Published: May 2019

Aliphatic dioic acids have been proposed as alternative nutrients in selected clinical situations. In this study, their possible insulinotropic action was investigated in isolated rat pancreatic islets prepared from fed rats. Azelaic acid, sebacic acid and tridecanedioic acids, when tested at a 10·0 mM CONCENTRATION, WERE FOUND TO AUGMENT INSULIN RELEASE EVOKED BY d-glucose (7·0 mm) in the pancreatic islets. Likewise, glycerol-1,2,3-tris(dodecanoedioate), when used at concentrations close to 1·0 mm, increased the secretory response to the hexose. It is speculated that these findings may extend to insulin-producing cells, the knowledge that aliphatic dioic acids or their esters may act as energy substrates, e.g. in parenteral nutrition.