bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency-dependent Template Profiles for High-precision Pulsar Timing
Authors: Pennucci Timothy T.
Published: January 2019

Pulsar timing experiments require high-fidelity template profiles in order to minimize the biases in pulse time-of-arrival (TOA) measurements and their uncertainties. Efforts to acquire more precise TOAs given the fixed effective area of telescopes, finite receiver noise, and limited integration time have led pulsar astronomers to the solution of implementing ultra-wideband receivers. This solution, however, has run up against the problem that pulse profile shapes evolve with frequency, which raises the question of how to properly measure and analyze TOAs obtained using template-matching methods. This paper proposes a new method for one facet of this problem, that of template profile generation, and demonstrates it on the well-timed millisecond pulsar J1713+0747. Specifically, we decompose pulse profile evolution into a linear combination of basis eigenvectors, the coefficients of which change slowly with frequency such that their evolution is modeled simply by a sum of low-degree piecewise polynomial spline functions. These noise-free, high-fidelity, frequency-dependent templates can be used to make measurements of so-called “wideband TOAs” simultaneously with an estimate of the instantaneous dispersion measure. The use of wideband TOAs is becoming important for pulsar timing array experiments, as the volume of data sets comprised of conventional, subbanded TOAs are quickly becoming unwieldy for the Bayesian analyses needed to uncover latent gravitational wave signals. Although motivated by high-precision timing experiments, our technique is applicable in more general pulsar observations.
Star Clusters in the Elliptical Galaxy NGC 4589 Hosting a Calcium-rich SN Ib (SN 2005cz)
Authors: Lee Myung Gyoon , Jang In Sung , Kang Jisu
Published: January 2019

NGC 4589, a bright E2 merger-remnant galaxy, hosts the peculiar fast and faint calcium-rich SN Ib SN 2005cz. The progenitor of Ca-rich SNe Ib has been controversial: it could be (1) a young, massive star with 6–12 M
⊙ in a binary system, or (2) an old, low-mass star in a binary system that was kicked out from the galaxy center. Moreover, previous distance estimates for this galaxy have shown a large spread, ranging from 20 to 60 Mpc. Thus, using archival Hubble
Space
Telescope/ACS F435W, F555W, and F814W images, we search for star clusters in NGC 4589 in order to help resolve these issues. We find a small population of young star clusters with 25 < V ≤ 27 (−7.1 < M

V
 ≤ −5.1) mag and age <1 Gyr in the central region at R < 0.′5 (<3.8 kpc), thus supporting the massive-star progenitor scenario for SN 2005cz. In addition to young star clusters, we also find a large population of old globular clusters. In contrast to previous results in the literature, we find that the color distribution of the globular clusters is clearly bimodal. The turnover (Vega) magnitude in the V-band luminosity functions of the blue (metal-poor) globular clusters is determined to be V
0(max) = 24.40 ± 0.10 mag. We derive the total number of globular clusters, N
GC = 640 ± 50, and the specific frequency, S

N
 = 1.7 ± 0.2. Adopting a calibration for the metal-poor globular clusters, M

V
(max) = −7.66 ± 0.14 mag, we derive a distance to this galaxy: (m − M)0 = 32.06 ± 0.10(ran) ± 0.15(sys) (d = 25.8 ± 2.2 Mpc).
The Size, Shape, and Scattering of Sagittarius A* at 86 GHz: First VLBI with ALMA
Authors: Issaoun S. , Johnson M. D. , Blackburn L. , Brinkerink C. D. , Mościbrodzka M. , Chael A. , Goddi C. , Martí-Vidal I. , Wagner J. , Doeleman S. S. , Falcke H. , Krichbaum T. P. , Akiyama K. , Bach U. , Bouman K. L. , Bower G. C. , Broderick A. , Cho I. , Crew G. , Dexter J. , Fish V. , Gold R. , Gómez J. L. , Hada K. , Hernández-Gómez A. , Janßen M. , Kino M. , Kramer M. , Loinard L. , Lu R.-S. , Markoff S. , Marrone D. P. , Matthews L. D. , Moran J. M. , Müller C. , Roelofs F. , Ros E. , Rottmann H. , Sanchez S. , Tilanus R. P. J. , Vicente P. de , Wielgus M. , Zensus J. A. , Zhao G.-Y.
Published: January 2019

The Galactic center supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) is one of the most promising targets to study the dynamics of black hole accretion and outflow via direct imaging with very long baseline interferometry (VLBI). At 3.5 mm (86 GHz), the emission from Sgr A* is resolvable with the Global Millimeter VLBI Array (GMVA). We present the first observations of Sgr A* with the phased Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) joining the GMVA. Our observations achieve an angular resolution of ∼87 μas, improving upon previous experiments by a factor of two. We reconstruct a first image of the unscattered source structure of Sgr A* at 3.5 mm, mitigating the effects of interstellar scattering. The unscattered source has a major-axis size of 120 ± 34 μas (12 ± 3.4 Schwarzschild radii) and a symmetrical morphology (axial ratio of

), which is further supported by closure phases consistent with zero within 3σ. We show that multiple disk-dominated models of Sgr A* match our observational constraints, while the two jet-dominated models considered are constrained to small viewing angles. Our long-baseline detections to ALMA also provide new constraints on the scattering of Sgr A*, and we show that refractive scattering effects are likely to be weak for images of Sgr A* at 1.3 mm with the Event Horizon Telescope. Our results provide the most stringent constraints to date for the intrinsic morphology and refractive scattering of Sgr A*, demonstrating the exceptional contribution of ALMA to millimeter VLBI.
KELT-22Ab: A Massive, Short-Period Hot Jupiter Transiting a Near-solar Twin
Authors: Labadie-Bartz Jonathan , Rodriguez Joseph E. , Stassun Keivan G. , Ciardi David R. , Penev Kaloyan , Johnson Marshall C. , Gaudi B. Scott , Colón Knicole D. , Bieryla Allyson , Latham David W. , Pepper Joshua , Collins Karen A. , Evans Phil , Relles Howard , Siverd Robert J. , Bento Joao , Yao Xinyu , Stockdale Chris , Tan Thiam-Guan , Zhou George , Eastman Jason D. , Albrow Michael D. , Bayliss Daniel , Beatty Thomas G. , Berlind Perry , Bozza Valerio , Calkins Michael L. , Cohen David H. , Curtis Ivan A. , Esquerdo Gilbert A. , Feliz Dax , Fulton Benjamin J. , Gregorio Joao , James David , Jensen Eric L. N. , Johnson John A. , Johnson Samson A. , Joner Michael D. , Kasper David , Kielkopf John F. , Kuhn Rudolf B. , Lund Michael B. , Malpas Amber , Manner Mark , McCrady Nate , McLeod Kim K. , Oberst Thomas E. , Penny Matthew T. , Reed Phillip A. , Sliski David H. , Stephens Denise C. , Stevens Daniel J. , Villanueva Steven , Wittenmyer Robert A. , Wright J. T. , Zambelli Roberto
Published: January 2019

We present the discovery of KELT-22Ab, a hot Jupiter from the KELT-South survey. KELT-22Ab transits the moderately bright (V ∼ 11.1) Sun-like G2V star TYC 7518-468-1. The planet has an orbital period of

days, a radius of

, and a relatively large mass of

. The star has

,

,

K,

(cgs), and [m/H] = 

; thus other than its slightly super-solar metallicity, it appears to be a near-solar twin. Surprisingly, KELT-22A exhibits kinematics and a Galactic orbit that are somewhat atypical for thin-disk stars. Nevertheless, the star is rotating rapidly for its estimated age, and shows evidence of chromospheric activity. Imaging reveals a slightly fainter companion to KELT-22A that is likely bound, with a projected separation of 6″  (∼1400 au). In addition to the orbital motion caused by the transiting planet, we detect a possible linear trend in the radial velocity of KELT-22A, suggesting the presence of another relatively nearby body that is perhaps non-stellar. KELT-22Ab is highly irradiated (as a consequence of the small semimajor axis of

), and is mildly inflated. At such small separations, tidal forces become significant. The configuration of this system is optimal for measuring the rate of tidal dissipation within the host star. Our models predict that, due to tidal forces, the semimajor axis is decreasing rapidly, and KELT-22Ab is predicted to spiral into the star within the next Gyr.
A Search for Water Vapor Plumes on Europa using SOFIA
Authors: Sparks W. B. , Richter M. , deWitt C. , Montiel E. , Russo N. Dello , Grunsfeld J. M. , McGrath M. A. , Weaver H. , Hand K. P. , Bergeron E. , Reach W.
Published: January 2019

We present mid-infrared Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)/Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph (EXES) spectroscopy of Europa, seeking direct evidence of the presence of water vapor arising from plumes venting from the surface. We place quantitatively useful upper limits on the strength of water vibrational-rotational emission lines. Conversion to water mass limits is dependent on the rotational temperature of the vapor. For low rotational temperature, the limits lie below the inferred water mass from previous Hubble Space Telescope (HST) plume observations. For higher temperatures, the limits are comparable. We also present coordinated HST transit observations obtained close in time to the SOFIA observations. There is evidence for a feature close to the location of the previously seen feature north of the crater Pwyll in one of the HST images, although it was not observable by EXES given its location. We conclude that if a water plume had been active at the time of the SOFIA observation, with the strength implied by previous HST observations, then under the right Earth atmospheric and geometric conditions, the plume could have been detected by EXES; however, no infrared water vibrational-rotational emission was detected.
Uncertainty in ecosystem services maps: the case of carbon stocks in the Brazilian Amazon forest using regression analysis
Authors: Le Clec'h Solen , Dufour Simon , Bucheli Janic , Grimaldi Michel , Huber Robert , Miranda Izildinha , Mitja Danielle , Silva Costa Luiz , Oszwald Johan
Published: January 2019

Ecosystem Service (ES) mapping has become a key tool in scientific assessments of human-nature interactions and is being increasingly used in environmental planning and policy-making. However, the associated epistemic uncertainty underlying these maps often is not systematically considered. This paper proposes a basic procedure to present areas with lower statistical reliability in a map of an ES indicator, the vegetation carbon stock, when extrapolating field data to larger case study regions. To illustrate our approach, we use regression analyses to model the spatial distribution of vegetation carbon stock in the Brazilian Amazon forest in the State of Pará. In our analysis, we used field data measurements for the carbon stock in three study sites as the response variable and various land characteristics derived from remote sensing as explanatory variables for the ES indicator. We performed regression methods to map the carbon stocks and calculated three indicators of reliability: RMSE-Root-mean-square-error, R2-coefficient of determination - from an out-of-sample validation and prediction intervals. We obtained a map of carbon stocks and made explicit its associated uncertainty using a general indicator of reliability and a map presenting the areas where our prediction is the most uncertain. Finally, we highlighted the role of environmental factors on the range of uncertainty. The results have two implications. (1) Mapping prediction interval indicates areas where the map's reliability is the highest. This information increases the usefulness of ES maps in environmental planning and governance. (2) In the case of the studied indicator, the reliability of our prediction is very dependent on land cover type, on the site location and its biophysical, socioeconomic and political characteristics. A better understanding of the relationship between carbon stock and land-use classes would increase the reliability of the maps. Results of our analysis help to direct future research and fieldwork and to prevent decision-making based on unreliable maps.
Collaborations Workshop 2018 (CW18) Report – Culture Change, Productivity and Sustainability
Authors: Costa da Silva Raniere Gaia , Sufi Shoaib , Aragon Camarasa Selina
Published: January 2019

The Collaborations Workshop 2018 (CW18) took place at The School of Mathematics, Cardiff University from the 26th to 28th March 2018. 90 people attended the event to discuss the themes of the workshop: culture change, productivity and sustainability. With a mix of lightning talks, keynotes, Q&A panels, discussions with speed blogging, collaborative ideas sessions, mini-workshops & demos, a social programme and a Hack Day in the agenda, CW18 was a feature-packed and immersive event.
El arquitecto César Ortiz-Echagüe, ¿precursor o inventor de la fachada ventilada? Dos proyectos de viviendas en Santiago de Compostela de 1954 y 1956
Authors: Fernández Madrid J.
Published: January 2019

Tres autores se disputan la invención de la fachada ventilada, Johansson (1946), Birkeland (1962) y Garden (1963). Los dos primeros la apuntaron y vislumbraron. Sin embargo, la paternidad intelectual es adjudicada a Garden (1963), quien estableció los principios físicos de la “rainscreen” o fachada ventilada, como lo conocemos hoy.

A la lista de antecedentes de la fachada ventilada se añaden dos proyectos de 1954 y 1956 del arquitecto César Ortiz- Echagüe Rubio, para sendos grupos de viviendas en Santiago de Compostela. Estos edificios, ya construidos, presentan una solución constructiva original, que claramente es precursora de la fachada ventilada y que bien podría disputar a G.K. Garden la paternidad intelectual de la fachada ventilada.
Application of Game Theory to Optimize Wireless System Resource Allocation
Authors: Riahi Sara , Riahi Azzeddine
Published: January 2019

Currently, wireless technologies are becoming more complex all the time, and parameter management becomes an increasingly difficult task. The optimization aims at automating the choice of the parameters according to the evolution of the environment. Furthermore, the steady increase in volumes of data that pass through wireless systems tend to saturate. It is therefore necessary to establish strategies in order, for example, to distribute the load on the various wireless access points. Currently, this is achieved by static policies in which mobile are primarily connect via WiFi access points. This takes no account of the quality of service required by the mobile nor the overall state, which changes over time, other systems that the mobile can connect.
Infrared-based Short-Distance FSO Sensor Network System
Authors: Huang Jinyong , Li Zhe
Published: January 2019

Energy consumption is one of the major problems in the development of Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). Under certain application conditions, Free Space Optical (FSO) communication can effectively reduce system energy consumption. Combining the need of the short-distance communication in the cooperative control of the mobile robot, this paper focuses on the study for the infrared FSO communication method and devices. Eight infrared-transmitting and receiving modules with the angular spacing 45° were deployed to realize the omnidirectional communication. The systematic measurement shows that the designed communication system can effectively carry out data transmission within a distance of 14 meters when the bit error ratio (BER) is 0%. Through the link budget analysis, the theoretical transmission distance of the design system is about 24 meters, only accounting for 60% of the communication module data manual, and the BER rises rapidly as the distance increases. The analysis of the oscilloscope observation results indicates that due to the attenuation caused by each medium (mainly moisture, dust, etc.) in the propagation path, the BER rapidly increases when the distance increases. Therefore, based on the test results, this system is applicable for constructing a short-distance wireless sensor network to meet the needs of cooperative control of mobile robots, without involving the complicated pointing process.
The Kinesin Light Chain–Related Protein PAT1 Promotes Superoxide Anion Production in Human Phagocytes
Authors: Arabi-Derkawi Riad , O’Dowd Yvonne , Cheng Ni , Rolas Loïc , Boussetta Tarek , Raad Houssam , Marzaioli Viviana , Pintard Coralie , Fasseu Magali , Kroviarski Yolande , Belambri Sahra A. , Dang Pham My-Chan , Ye Richard D. , Gougerot-Pocidalo Marie-Anne , El-Benna Jamel
Published: January 2019

Superoxide anion production by the phagocyte NADPH oxidase plays a crucial role in host defenses and inflammatory reaction. The phagocyte NADPH oxidase is composed of cytosolic components (p40phox, p47phox, p67phox, and Rac1/2) and the membrane flavocytochrome b558, which is composed of two proteins: p22phox and gp91phox/NOX2. p22phox plays a crucial role in the stabilization of gp91phox in phagocytes and is also a docking site for p47phox during activation. In the current study, we have used a yeast two-hybrid approach to identify unknown partners of p22phox. Using the cytosolic C-terminal region of p22phox as bait to screen a human spleen cDNA library, we identified the protein interacting with amyloid precursor protein tail 1 (PAT1) as a potential partner of p22phox. The interaction between p22phox and PAT1 was further confirmed by in vitro GST pulldown and overlay assays and in intact neutrophils and COSphox cells by coimmunoprecipitation. We demonstrated that PAT1 is expressed in human neutrophils and monocytes and colocalizes with p22phox, as shown by confocal microscopy. Overexpression of PAT1 in human monocytes and in COSphox cells increased superoxide anion production and depletion of PAT1 by specific small interfering RNA inhibited this process. These data clearly identify PAT1 as a novel regulator of NADPH oxidase activation and superoxide anion production, a key phagocyte function.
Upregulation of Chitinase 1 in Alveolar Macrophages of HIV-Infected Smokers
Authors: Logue Eric C. , Neff C. Preston , Mack Douglas G. , Martin Allison K. , Fiorillo Suzanne , Lavelle James , Vandivier R. William , Campbell Thomas B. , Palmer Brent E. , Fontenot Andrew P.
Published: January 2019

Recent studies suggest that HIV infection is an independent risk factor for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We hypothesized that HIV infection and cigarette smoking synergize to alter the function of alveolar macrophages (AMs). To test this hypothesis, global transcriptome analysis was performed on purified AMs from 20 individuals split evenly between HIV-uninfected nonsmokers and smokers and untreated HIV-infected nonsmokers and smokers. Differential expression analysis identified 143 genes significantly altered by the combination of HIV infection and smoking. Of the differentially expressed genes, chitinase 1 (CHIT1) and cytochrome P450 family 1 subfamily B member 1 (CYP1B1), both previously associated with COPD, were among the most upregulated genes (5- and 26-fold, respectively) in the untreated HIV-infected smoker cohort compared with HIV-uninfected nonsmokers. Expression of CHIT1 and CYP1B1 correlated with the expression of genes involved in extracellular matrix organization, oxidative stress, immune response, and cell death. Using time-of-flight mass cytometry to characterize AMs, a significantly decreased expression of CD163, an M2 marker, was seen in HIV-infected subjects, and CD163 inversely correlated with CYP1B1 expression in AMs. CHIT1 protein levels were significantly upregulated in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from HIV-infected smokers, and increased CHIT1 levels negatively correlated with lung function measurements. Overall, these findings raise the possibility that elevated CHIT1 and CYP1B1 are early indicators of COPD development in HIV-infected smokers that may serve as biomarkers for determining this risk.
Country-specific nutrient requirements & recommended dietary allowances for Indians
Authors: Nair Krishna Pillay Madhavan , Augustine Little Flower
Published: January 2019

Nutrient requirements and recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) are set and revised periodically by the Indian Council of Medical Research. These are meant to guide the population and provide policy directions regarding nutrient requirements corresponding to a healthy population. This review article provides an overview of the current recommendations (RDA, 2010) and the challenges faced by the committee to contextualize RDA to the Indian scenario which has a background of double burden of malnutrition, diverse dietary habits but predominantly home-based cereal-pulse vegetarian diet with low bioavailability of several nutrients and lower consumption of packaged fortified foods. The need for country-specific requirements and harmonization of methodologies related to nutrient requirements and RDA are also discussed. The recommendations fixed for iron have been provided in detail as an example. The measures to carry forward RDA revisions to ensure its sustainability have been emphasized.
Prevention & control of fluorosis & linked disorders
Authors: Susheela Andezhath Kumaran , Toteja G.S.
Published: January 2019

The review on fluorosis addresses the genesis of the disease, diagnostic protocols developed, mitigation and recovery through nutritional interventions. It reveals the structural and functional damages caused to skeletal muscle and erythrocytes, leading to clinical manifestations in fluorosis. Hormonal derangements resulting in serious abnormalities in the health of children and adults are discussed. Fluoride toxicity destroys the probiotics in the gut, resulting in vitamin B12 depletion, an essential ingredient in haemoglobin (Hb) biosynthesis. The article provides an overview of National Technology Mission on Safe Drinking Water and its contributions to fluorosis control. National Programme for Prevention and Control of Fluorosis is presently in operation in India and its focus cited. Major emphasis has been laid on a variety of disorders surfacing in India due to fluoride toxicity/fluorosis as ‘fluorosis-linked disorders’, viz. anaemia in pregnancy, schoolchildren, thyroid hormone abnormalities, hypertension, iodine deficiency disorders/goitre, renal failure and calcium+vitamin D-resistant rickets in children. The major action taken by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Government of India in establishing a Centre of Excellence for Fluorosis Research in India and its contributions are highlighted.
Body composition techniques
Authors: Kuriyan Rebecca
Published: January 2019

Body composition is known to be associated with several diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Body composition measurements are useful in assessing the effectiveness of nutritional interventions and monitoring the changes associated with growth and disease conditions. Changes in body composition occur when there is a mismatch between nutrient intake and requirement. Altered body composition is observed in conditions such as wasting and stunting when the nutritional intake may be inadequate. Overnutrition on the other hand leads to obesity. Many techniques are available for body composition assessment, which range from simple indirect measures to more sophisticated direct volumetric measurements. Some of the methods that are used today include anthropometry, tracer dilution, densitometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, air displacement plethysmography and bioelectrical impedance analysis. The methods vary in their precision and accuracy. Imaging techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography have become powerful tools due to their ability of visualizing and quantifying tissues, organs, or constituents such as muscle and adipose tissue. However, these methods are still considered to be research tools due to their cost and complexity of use. This review was aimed to describe the commonly used methods for body composition analysis and provide a brief introduction on the latest techniques available.
Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in India & way forward
Authors: Kamboj Preeti , Dwivedi Supriya , Toteja G.S.
Published: January 2019

Deficiency of vitamin D or hypovitaminosis D is widespread irrespective of age, gender, race and geography and has emerged as an important area of research. Vitamin D deficiency may lead to osteoporosis (osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children) along with calcium deficiency. Its deficiency is linked with low bone mass, weakness of muscles and increased risk of fracture. However, further research is needed to link deficiency of vitamin D with extra-skeletal consequences such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infections and autoimmune disorders. The causes of vitamin D deficiency include length and timing of sun exposure, amount of skin exposed, latitude, season, level of pollution in atmosphere, clothing, skin pigmentation, application of sunscreen, dietary factors and genetic factors. The primary source is sunlight, and the dietary sources include animal products such as fatty fish, food items fortified with vitamin D and supplements. Different cut-offs have been used to define hypovitaminosis D and its severity in different studies. Based on the findings from some Indian studies, a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was observed among different age groups. Hypovitaminosis D ranged from 84.9 to 100 per cent among school-going children, 42 to 74 per cent among pregnant women, 44.3 to 66.7 per cent among infants, 70 to 81.1 per cent among lactating mothers and 30 to 91.2 per cent among adults. To tackle the problem of hypovitaminosis D in India, vitamin D fortification in staple foods, supplementation of vitamin D along with calcium, inclusion of local fortified food items in supplementary nutrition programmes launched by the government, cooperation from stakeholders from food industry and creating awareness among physicians and the general population may help in combating the problem to some extent.
Association of genetic polymorphism of interleukin-17A & interleukin-17F with susceptibility of psoriasis
Authors: Kaur Rajinder , Rawat Arun Kumar , Kumar Sunil , Aadil Wani , Akhtar Tahseena , Narang Tarun , Chopra Dimple
Published: January 2019

Background & objectives:

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with unknown aetiology. So far studies have confirmed that interleukins, pro-inflammatory factors and T-cell activation play major role in the development of disease. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) a T helper inflammatory cytokine, was found to be positively correlated with severity of psoriasis. However, the specific mechanism has not been clarified. IL-17A and IL-17F are group members of IL17 family cytokines and found to be located adjacent to one another on the same human chromosome, 6p12. The present study was designed to identify the association between IL-17A and IL-17F gene polymorphism with susceptibility of psoriasis in north Indian population.

Methods:

A total of 166 psoriasis patients and 150 healthy controls were genotyped for IL-17A and IL-17F gene polymorphism by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction method. One single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was analysed in IL-17A (rs10484879) and one SNP in IL-17F (rs763780) to look for an association with psoriasis.

Results:

Our study indicated decreased frequency of IL-17A (rs10484879) G allele (51.8 vs. 65.0%), and IL-17F (rs763780) C allele (36.5 vs. 45.7%) in psoriatic patients as compared to healthy controls.

Interpretation & conclusions:

The present findings suggest that IL-17A (rs10484879) G/T and IL-17F (rs763780) C/T gene polymorphisms may contribute in pathogenesis of psoriasis. Further studies need to be done to confirm these findings.
Nutritional security through crop biofortification in India
Authors: Yadava Devendra Kumar , Hossain Firoz , Mohapatra Trilochan
Published: January 2019

Malnutrition has emerged as one of the most serious health issues worldwide. The consumption of unbalanced diet poor in nutritional quality causes malnutrition which is more prevalent in the underdeveloped and developing countries. Deficiency of proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals leads to poor health and increased susceptibility to various diseases, which in turn lead to significant loss in Gross Domestic Product and affect the socio-economic structure of the country. Although various avenues such as dietary-diversification, food-fortification and medical-supplementation are available, biofortification of crop varieties is considered as the most sustainable and cost-effective approach where the nutrients reach the target people in natural form. Here, we have discussed the present status on the development of biofortified crop varieties for various nutritional and antinutritional factors. Ongoing programmes of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research on the improvement of nutritional traits in different crops have been presented. Challenges and future prospects of crop biofortification in India have also been discussed. The newly developed biofortified crop varieties besides serving as an important source for livelihood to poor people assume great significance in nutritional security.
Increased trunk fat along with decreased peripheral fat as an important predictor of hypertriglyceridaemia & hypercholesterolaemia in Indians with HIV infection
Authors: Dutta Deep , Sharma Meha , Anand Atul , Garga Umesh Chandra , Bansal Rahul , Sharma Neera
Published: January 2019

Background & objectives:

Dyslipidaemia is a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity, which is increased in HIV. Data on dyslipidaemia in Indians with HIV are scant. This study was undertaken to determine the predictors of dyslipidaemia and lipoatrophy in Indians with HIV infection and their relation with body composition parameters.

Methods:

A total of 382 consecutive patients with HIV infection were screened, of whom 257 clinically stable patients, without any acute comorbidity, having at least one year follow up underwent biochemical and DEXA analysis.

Results:

The most common dyslipidaemia was hypertriglyceridaemia (47.08%), followed by hypercholesterolaemia [total cholesterol (TC)] (38.91%) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (38.52%), in patients having median age 37 (32-42) yr and HIV duration 57 (33-101) months. Patients with at least one dyslipidaemia (78.99%) had significantly higher insulin resistance (IR), per cent body fat, per cent trunk fat (PTF) and trunk limb fat ratio (TLFR). Baseline CD4 count and delta CD4 count (change in CD4 count 6-12 months following ART) had significant inverse correlation with triglycerides and TC. Patients with highest triglycerides and cholesterol quartiles had significantly higher immune reconstitution, metabolic syndrome, IR, trunk fat mass (FM), PTF and TLFR, with comparable total FM. Logistic regression revealed that body mass index, HIV duration and PTF were independent predictors of hypertriglyceridaemia, with only PTF being significant predictor of hypercholesterolaemia. Every unit increase in PTF was associated with 13 and 4.1 per cent increased hypertriglyceridaemia and hypercholesterolaemia. Lipoatrophy was present in 8.57 per cent patients and was a poor predictor of dyslipidaemia.

Interpretation & conclusions:

High occurrence of dyslipidaemia was observed in patients with HIV on anti retroviral therapy. Central adiposity (TFM) was the most important predictor of dyslipidaemia in these patients.
Persistent febrile illnesses in Nepal
Authors: Koirala Kanika Deshpande , Chappuis François , Verdonck Kristien , Rijal Suman , Boelaert Marleen
Published: January 2019

Background & objectives:

Although febrile illnesses are a frequent cause of consultation and hospitalization in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), research has mainly focused on acute febrile illnesses (AFIs). In contrast, there are limited data on the causes of persistent febrile illnesses (PFIs) in LMIC. Lack of clarity on the differential diagnosis of PFIs in the rural tropics leads to the absence of diagnostic guidance tools.

Methods:

In this study, a review of the potential causes of persistent fever defined as fever of more than seven days was done in Nepal, with a focus on nine pathogen-specific conditions. The current knowledge on their burden, distribution and diagnosis was summarized.

Results:

Limited data were found on the incidence and public health burden of leptospirosis, murine typhus and brucellosis due to the absence of diagnostic tools outside reference laboratories and the overlap of signs and symptoms with other febrile conditions. The incidence of malaria and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was found to be decreasing in Nepal, with some changes of the geographical areas at risk.

Interpretation & conclusions:

This review indicates a need for more research on the causes of PFIs in Nepal and in the region and for the development of clinical guidance tailored to current local epidemiology. Guidance tools should include specific clinical features (e.g. eschar), results of rapid diagnostic tests (e.g. malaria, VL), appropriate indications for more sophisticated tests (e.g. abdominal ultrasound, polymerase chain reaction) and recommendations for adequate use of empirical treatment.
Clinical impact & pathogenic mechanisms of human parvovirus B19
Authors: Kishore Janak , Kishore Divya
Published: January 2019

Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) causes myriads of clinical diseases; however, owing to lack of awareness and undetermined clinical impact, it has failed to become a virus pathogen of global concern. Cryptically, B19V causes significant morbidity and mortality. Half of the world population and 60 per cent of Indians are known to be serologically naive and are at risk of acquiring B19V infections. Cumulatively, our data showed 21.3 per cent B19V-infected patients with juvenile chronic arthropathy, recurrent abortions, multi-transfused thalassaemia and leukaemia. In addition, B19V-infected cases that ended fatally included patients with pure red cell aplasia, fulminant hepatitis and haemophagocytic syndrome. Novel clinical associations of B19V observed were amegakaryocytic thrombocytopaenia, myositis and non-occlusive ischaemic gangrene of bowel. B19V possesses multiple receptors which are distributed widely in human tissues. Vascular endothelial cell infection by B19V causes endothelialitis and vasculitic injuries besides antibody-dependent enhancement which empowered B19V to cause multiorgan diseases. Owing to lack of suitable animal model for B19V, true causal role remains to be determined, but numerous reports on B19V infections substantiate a causal role in multiorgan diseases. Hence, B19V infections need to be recognized, investigated and treated besides making efforts on vaccine developments.
Oxidative stress in metabolic syndrome & its association with DNA-strand break
Authors: Bhutia Rinchen Doma , Sherpa Mingma Lhamu , Singh T.A. , Khandelwal Bidita
Published: January 2019

Background & objectives:

Oxidative stress (OS) is associated with numerous components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study was aimed to investigate if hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the reactive oxygen species was capable of depicting OS in MetS, and If MetS patients showed DNA damage in the form of DNA strand breaks (DSB).

Methods:

A total of 160 participants (90 males, 70 females) ≥20 yr of age were categorized into four groups based on the number of MetS risk parameters (n=40 in each group). Sugar and lipid profile, H2O2 concentration in blood and DNA-strand breaks were measured.

Results:

DSB was significantly more in those with MetS (n=40) than those without (n=120) whereas H2O2 levels were the same in both the study groups. The number of DSB differed significantly between the control and 3 risk factor groups. DSB was also higher in groups with 2 and 1 risk factors compared to 0 risk but the difference was not significant. H2O2 level was higher in groups with 3, 2 and 1 risk factors compared to 0 risk group but the difference was not significant. The H2O2 level correlated positively with triglyceride values but not with other MetS risk parameters. There was no significant correlation between DSB and MetS risk parameters.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Our findings showed a cumulative and synergistic effect of the risk factors of MetS on DSB. Individuals with three risk parameters had a greater effect on DNA damage than in those with two or one risk parameter. Although plasma H2O2 level increased with an increase in the fat depots, use of H2O2 to depict OS in MetS should be coupled with an adjunct and estimation of DSB in peripheral blood lymphocytes may be used as indicator of OS in MetS patients.
Spatial-temporal analysis of the surface water quality of the Pará River Basin through statistical techniques
Authors: Oliveira Josiani Cordova de , Maia Kelly Prado , Castro Nara Linhares Borges de , Oliveira Sílvia Maria Alves Corrêa
Published: January 2019

Water quality issues are a growing concern due to the the recent intensification of urbanization and industrialization. This paper evaluates and compares the surface water quality of the ten sub-basins of the Pará River, located in the São Francisco River Basin, Minas Gerais, and evaluates the impact of seasonality and the compliance with the current limits of state legislation. The surface water quality monitoring database of the Institute of Water Management of Minas Gerais (Igam) was used, and 18 parameters were analyzed from a historical series from 2008 to 2016, totaling 16,651 observations. First, the descriptive statistics of the parameters were calculated, considering each sub-basin separately. Then, for the temporal and spatial analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric statistical tests were applied, followed by the multiple comparison test, with an alpha level of 5%, due to the asymmetric behavior of the data. Thus, it was possible to compare water quality of the sub-basins in rainy and dry seasons and to identify which parameters were responsible for the greater degradation. In the compliance analysis to the current limits of state legislation, it was identified that all of the sub-basins were out of the specified range for at least one of the evaluated parameters. Finally, the seasonality analysis exposed significant differences in the parameters of dissolved oxygen, turbidity, total suspended solids, total solids and water temperature, where it was shown that there was a worsening of water quality in the rainy season for most sub-basins.
Consumer Expenditures and Savings in High Income Households
Authors: Cook Finnie B. , Oryema John , Stephens Cynthia
Published: January 2019

A review of the existing academic literature as well as available government publications reveals a lack of information regarding expenditure behavior of high income households. In this paper, we combine multiple years of Consumer Expenditure Survey Public Use Microdata provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and compute average expenditures and standard errors. We apply the same methodology used by the BLS to estimate the average expenditures by household income and household size for households with income of $70,000 and higher. The resultant tables provide details on consumption and saving patterns for higher income groups that are unavailable in the tables published by the BLS. Our tables can be utilized by forensic economists in practice for the determination of consumption and savings values in wrongful death matters in high income households.
Modelling organic aerosol over Europe in summer conditions
with the VBS-GECKO parameterization: sensitivity to
secondary organic compound properties and IVOC emissions
Authors: Lannuque Victor , Couvidat Florian , Camredon Marie , Aumont Bernard , Bessagnet Bertrand
Published: January 2019

Abstract. The VBS-GECKO parameterization for secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation was integrated in the chemistry-transport model CHIMERE. Concentrations of organic aerosol (OA) and SOA were simulated over Europe for the July–August 2013 period. Simulated concentrations with the VBS-GECKO were compared to results obtained with the former H2O parameterization implemented in CHIMERE and to observations from EMEP, ACTRIS and other observations available in the EBAS database. The model configuration using the VBS-GECKO parameterization slightly improves the performances compared to the model configuration using the former H2O parameterisation. The VBS-GECKO model configuration performs well for stations showing a large SOA concentration from biogenic sources, especially in northern Europe but underestimate OA concentrations over stations close to urban areas. Simulated OA was found to be mainly secondary (~ 85 %) and from terpene oxidation. Simulations show negligible contribution of the oxidation of mono-aromatic compounds to SOA production. Tests performed to examine the sensitivity of simulated OA concentrations to hydro-solubility, volatility, ageing rates and NOx regime have shown that the VBS-GECKO parameterization provides consistent results, with a weak sensitivity to changes in the parameters provided by the gas phase mechanism included in CHIMERE (e.g. HOx or NOx concentrations). Different emission scenarios (from heavy diesel to light gasoline fleet) were tested to examine the contribution of S/IVOC oxidation to SOA production. At the continental scale, these simulations show a weak sensitivity of OA concentrations to the vehicle fleet. At the local scale, accounting for IVOC emission was found to lead to a substantial increase of OA concentrations in the plume from urban areas, especially if diesel fleet case is assumed. This additional OA source remains too small to explain the gap between simulated and measured values at stations where anthropogenic sources are dominant.
Vertical profile observations of water vapor deuterium excess in the lower troposphere
Authors: Salmon Olivia E. , Welp Lisa R. , Baldwin Michael , Hajny Kristian , Stirm Brian H. , Shepson Paul B.
Published: January 2019

Abstract. We use H2Ov isotopic vertical profile measurements and complementary meteorological observations to examine how boundary layer, cloud, and mixing processes influence the vertical structure of deuterium-excess (d-excess = δD – 8 × δ18O) in the boundary layer, inversion layer, and lower free troposphere. Airborne measurements of water vapor (H2Ov) stable isotopologues were conducted around two continental U.S. cities in February–March 2016. Nine research flights were designed to characterize the δD, δ18O, and d-excess vertical profiles extending from the surface to ≤ 2 km. We examine observations from three unique case study flights in detail. One case study shows H2Ov isotopologue vertical profiles that are consistent with Rayleigh isotopic distillation theory coinciding with clear skies, dry adiabatic lapse rates within the boundary layer, and relatively constant vertical profiles of wind speed and wind direction. The two remaining case studies show that H2Ov isotopic signatures above the boundary layer are sensitive to cloud processes and complex air mass mixing patterns. These two case studies indicate anomalies in the d-excess signature relative to Rayleigh theory, such as low d-excess values at the interface of the inversion layer and the free troposphere, which is possibly indicative of cloud evaporation. We discuss possible explanations for the observed d-excess anomalies, such as cloud evaporation, wind shear, and vertical mixing. In situ H2Ov stable isotope measurements, and d-excess in particular, could be useful for improving our understanding of moisture processing and transport mixing occurring between the boundary layer, inversion layer, and free troposphere.
An emulator approach to stratocumulus susceptibility
Authors: Glassmeier Franziska , Hoffmann Fabian , Johnson Jill S. , Yamaguchi Takanobu , Carslaw Ken S. , Feingold Graham
Published: January 2019

Abstract. The climatic relevance of aerosol-cloud interactions depends on the sensitivity of the radiative effect of clouds to cloud droplet number N and liquid water path LWP. We derive the dependence of cloud fraction CF, cloud albedo AC and the relative cloud radiative effect rCRE = CF · AC on N and LWP from 159 large-eddy simulations of nocturnal stratocumulus. These simulations vary in their initial conditions for temperature, moisture, boundary-layer height and aerosol concentration but share boundary conditions for surface fluxes and subsidence. Our approach is based on Gaussian process emulation, a statistical technique related to machine learning. We succeed in building emulators that accurately predict simulated values of CF, AC and rCRE for given values of N and LWP. Emulator-derived susceptibilities ∂ ln rCRE/∂ ln N and ∂ ln rCRE/∂ ln LWP cover the non-drizzling, fully-overcast regime as well as the drizzling regime with broken cloud cover. Theoretical results, which are limited to the non-drizzling regime, are reproduced. The susceptibility ∂ ln rCRE/∂ ln N captures the strong sensitivity of the cloud radiative effect to cloud fraction, while the susceptibility ∂ ln rCRE/∂ ln LWP describes the influence of cloud amount on cloud albedo irrespective of cloud fraction. Our emulation-based approach provides a powerful tool for summarizing complex data in a simple framework that captures the sensitivities of cloud field properties over a wide range of states.
New insights into the Gondwana breakup at the Southern South America by apatite fission-track analyses
Authors: Gomes Cristiane H. , Almeida Delia
Published: January 2019

Abstract. Apatite fission-track (AFT) analyses, applied to Southern Brazil
and Uruguay samples, was employed aiming to understand the low temperature
history of the Dom Feliciano Belt Segment. The Dom Feliciano Belt formed
during the Neoproterozoic to Early Paleozoic, linked to the
Brasiliano/Pan-African Orogeny. Twenty-four samples were dated, and confined
track lengths of twenty samples were measured. The spatial distribution of
ages shows three domains with different evolution cut by shear zones and, or
suture zones in the Dom Feliciano Belt. The Western Domain exhibits AFT ages
> 250 Ma (Permian to Devonian) while the Eastern Domain shows
AFT ages < 230 Ma (Paleogene to Triassic). In the Central Domain,
the AFT ages range from ∼196 to 130 Ma (Jurassic to Early Cretaceous).
The thermal modeling in the domains revealed a complex evolution, with
cooling and reheating phases, and a denudation of ∼2600 m. The AFT ages
clearly postdate the Gondwanide, Paraná-Etendeka and Rio Grande Cone
exhumation history of the Dom Feliciano Belt.