bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumption of antibacterial molecules in broiler production in Morocco
Authors: Rahmatallah Naoufal , El Rhaffouli Hicham , Lahlou Amine Idriss , Sekhsokh Yassine , Fassi Fihri Ouafaa , El Houadfi Mohammed
Published: January 2018

Monitoring the use of antibacterial agents in food‐producing animals is crucial in order to reduce antimicrobial resistance, selection and dissemination of resistant bacterial strains, and drug residues in the animal food products. The broiler production sector is considered a great consumer of antibacterials and incriminated in the rise of antimicrobial resistance level in zoonotic bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter. Following recommendations from the OIE and WHO, a survey was conducted about the use and consumption of several antibacterial agents in Moroccan broiler flocks. More than 5 million broilers were randomly surveyed at the prescriber level, that is, via the veterinary clinics involved in their health management. The results showed that 93% of the flocks received at least one antibacterial treatment of minimum 3 days duration. Enrofloxacin, colistin and trimethoprim/sulphonamides were the most used antibacterials followed by oxytetracycline, florfenicol and amoxicillin. Oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin and colistin were overdosed in most of the administration, while amoxicillin and the combination of trimethoprim/sulphonamides were under‐dosed. The total amount of antibacterial consumed in the survey was 63.48 mg/kg and the Animal Level of Exposure to Antimicrobials (ALEA) was 94.45%. The reasons for this frequent use were related mainly to the poor quality of broiler production management. Chicks and animal feed provided to producers were of variable quality. Management of rearing stock density was often poor and biosecurity inadequate, and broilers were challenged by a high prevalence of infectious diseases.
River otter distribution in Nebraska
Authors: Bieber Nathan R. , Wilson Samuel P. , Allen Craig R.
Published: January 2018

The river otter (Lontra canadensis) was extirpated from Nebraska, USA, in the early 1900s and reintroduced starting in 1986. Information is needed regarding the distribution of river otters in Nebraska before decisions can be made regarding its conservation status. Understanding distribution of a species is critically important for effective management. We investigated river otter distribution in Nebraska with occupancy modeling and maximum entropy (Maxent) modeling using 190 otter sign observations on Nebraska's navigable rivers and 380 historical otter records from November 1977 to April 2014. Both methods identified the Platte River, Elkhorn River, central and eastern Niobrara River, and southern Loup River system as core areas within the distribution of otters in Nebraska. The Maxent model provided more liberal estimates of site occupancy and identified some smaller rivers as being within the distribution of otters in Nebraska, which were not identified using occupancy modeling. We recommend that multiple data sets and analysis methods be used to estimate species distribution because this allows for the broadest geographical coverage and decreases the likelihood of overlooking areas with fewer animal records. If further reintroduction efforts or translocation efforts are to take place in the future, we recommend focusing on areas with high modeled occupancy but few historical and survey records. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Meta‐analysis on Materials and Techniques for Laparotomy Closure: The MATCH Review
Authors: Henriksen N. A. , Deerenberg E. B. , Venclauskas L. , Fortelny R. H. , Miserez M. , Muysoms F. E.
Published: January 2018

Background

The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to evaluate closure materials and suture techniques for emergency and elective laparotomies. The primary outcome was incisional hernia after 12 months, and the secondary outcomes were burst abdomen and surgical site infection.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted until September 2017. The quality of the RCTs was evaluated by at least 3 assessors using critical appraisal checklists. Meta‐analyses were performed.

Results

A total of 23 RCTs were included in the meta‐analysis. There was no evidence from RCTs using the same suture technique in both study arms that any suture material (fast‐absorbable/slowly absorbable/non‐absorbable) is superior in reducing incisional hernias. There is no evidence that continuous suturing is superior in reducing incisional hernias compared to interrupted suturing. When using a slowly absorbable suture for continuous suturing in elective midline closure, the small bites technique results in significantly less incisional hernias than a large bites technique (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.19, 0.86).

Conclusions

There is no high‐quality evidence available concerning the best suture material or technique to reduce incisional hernia rate when closing a laparotomy. When using a slowly absorbable suture and a continuous suturing technique with small tissue bites, the incisional hernia rate is significantly reduced compared with a large bites technique.
A model of religious involvement, family processes, self‐control, and juvenile delinquency in two‐parent families
Authors: Guo Siying
Published: January 2018

Family processes, adolescent religious involvement, and self‐control may serve as important mechanisms that mediate the relationship between parental religious involvement and delinquency. However, at present no study has systematically investigated the relationships among these factors and how these mediating mechanisms work. To address this gap, path analyses are conducted to test the hypothesized pathways whereby parental religious involvement operates to discourage delinquent behaviors of offspring. The study variables are taken from three waves of the study of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 and its descendent NLSY79 Child and Young Adults at two year intervals (2000, 2002, and 2004). 1020 American adolescents who are 10–14 years old in 2002 are selected for final analyses. The findings suggest that parental religious involvement does not affect adolescent delinquency four years later directly, but indirectly through its influence on adolescent religious involvement, parenting practices, inter‐parental conflict, and their interactions with adolescent self‐control.
Problem-solving therapy for adult depression: An updated meta-analysis
Authors: Cuijpers Pim , de Wit Leonore , Kleiboer Annet , Karyotaki Eirini , Ebert David D.
Published: January 2018

Background

Problem-solving therapy (PST) is one of the best examined types of psychotherapy for adult depression. No recent meta-analysis has examined the effects of PST compared to control groups or to other treatments. We wanted to verify whether PST is effective, whether effects are comparable to those of other treatments, and whether we could identify the possible sources of high heterogeneity that was found in earlier meta-analyses.

Methods

We conducted systematic searches in bibliographical databases, including PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase and the Cochrane database of randomized trials.

Results

We included 30 randomized controlled trials on PST (with 3530 patients), in which PST was compared to control conditions, with other therapies, and with pharmacotherapy. We could compare these 30 trials on PST also with 259 trials on other psychotherapies for adult depression. The effect size of PST versus control groups was g = 0.79 (0.57–1.01) with very high heterogeneity (I2 = 84; 95% CI: 77–88). The effect size from the 9 studies with low risk of bias was g = 0.34 (95% CI: 0.22–0.46) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 32; 95% CI: 0–68), which is comparable to the effects of other psychotherapies. PST was a little more effective than other therapies in direct comparisons, but that may be explained by the considerable number of studies with researcher allegiance towards PST. In meta-regression analyses of all controlled studies, no significant difference between PST and other therapies was found.

Conclusion

PST is probably an effective treatment for depression, with effect sizes that are small, but comparable to those found for other psychological treatments of depression.
Contaminação do trajeto de biópsia em sarcomas primários ósseos
Authors: Garcia Jairo , Marques Dayane , Viola Dan , Petrilli Marcelo , Alves Maria , Jesus-Garcia Filho Reynaldo
Published: January 2018

Determinar a incidência da contaminação do trajeto de biópsia nos pacientes com sarcomas primários ósseos, bem como as características clínicas que influenciaram neste desfecho.

Foram avaliados retrospectivamente os laudos anatomopatológicos de pacientes tratados pelo Serviço de Oncologia Ortopédica do Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia dessa instituição.

Dentre os 148 pacientes incluídos no presente estudo, apenas um apresentou contaminação por células neoplásicas em seu trajeto de biópsia.

O procedimento de biópsia óssea em pacientes com sarcomas primários ósseos apresenta grande segurança no quesito contaminação quando feito em centros especializados no tratamento dessas patologias.
Contaminação de enxertos de tendões flexores na reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior: comparação de duas técnicas de retirada
Authors: Temponi Eduardo , Marques da Costa Luís , Soares Luiz , Carvalho Júnior Lúcio
Published: January 2018

Avaliar a taxa de contaminação de autoenxerto de tendões flexores comparando duas técnicas e verificar se a contaminação intraoperatória está associada ao desenvolvimento de infecção clínica em pacientes submetidos a reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior.

Foram feitas 110 reconstruções do ligamento cruzado anterior com tendão dos flexores e divididas em dois grupos: 1) técnica com retirada total dos tendões flexores e 2) técnica que manteve a inserção tibial desses tendões. Durante o preparo, dois fragmentos de cada um desses foram enviados para cultura, sendo mensurado o tempo de retirada dos tendões, do preparo dos tendões e total da cirurgia. Com 24 horas de pós-operatório, foi dosada a proteína C reativa. Seguimento clínico ambulatorial foi realizado de forma protocolada até 180 dias de pós-operatório.

Apesar de terem sido observadas duas infecções pós-operatórias, não houve contaminação dos enxertos nem diferença entre os grupos em relação ao tempo de preparo dos enxertos e a proteína C reativa com 24 horas de pós-operatório. A técnica clássica apresentou maior tempo de retirada do enxerto (p = 0,038) e não houve diferença estatística entre os dois grupos no que tange ao grau de contaminação e consequente infecção clínica, embora dois pacientes do grupo 2 tenham tido infecção com culturas perioperatórias negativas.

Com base nos resultados obtidos, não houve associação entre contaminação do enxerto com o tempo ou a técnica de sua preparação, tampouco entre a contaminação intraoperatória e o desenvolvimento de infecção clínica ou entre alteração precoce da proteína C reativa e o surgimento de infecção.
Constrained sparse Galerkin regression
Authors: Loiseau Jean-Christophe , Brunton Steven L.
Published: January 2018

The sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics (SINDy) is a recently proposed data-driven modelling framework that uses sparse regression techniques to identify nonlinear low-order models. With the goal of low-order models of a fluid flow, we combine this approach with dimensionality reduction techniques (e.g. proper orthogonal decomposition) and extend it to enforce physical constraints in the regression, e.g. energy-preserving quadratic nonlinearities. The resulting models, hereafter referred to as Galerkin regression models, incorporate many beneficial aspects of Galerkin projection, but without the need for a high-fidelity solver to project the Navier–Stokes equations. Instead, the most parsimonious nonlinear model is determined that is consistent with observed measurement data and satisfies necessary constraints. Galerkin regression models also readily generalize to include higher-order nonlinear terms that model the effect of truncated modes. The effectiveness of such an approach is demonstrated on two canonical flow configurations: the two-dimensional flow past a circular cylinder and the shear-driven cavity flow. For both cases, the accuracy of the identified models compare favourably against reduced-order models obtained from a standard Galerkin projection procedure. Finally, the entire code base for our constrained sparse Galerkin regression algorithm is freely available online.
Mixing across fluid interfaces compressed by convective flow in porous media
Authors: Hidalgo Juan J. , Dentz Marco
Published: January 2018

We study mixing in the presence of convective flow in a porous medium. Convection is characterized by the formation of vortices and stagnation points, where the fluid interface is stretched and compressed enhancing mixing. We analyse the behaviour of the mixing dynamics in different scenarios using an interface deformation model. We show that the scalar dissipation rate, which is related to the dissolution fluxes, is controlled by interfacial processes, specifically the equilibrium between interface compression and diffusion, which depends on the flow field configuration. We consider different scenarios of increasing complexity. First, we analyse a double-gyre synthetic velocity field. Second, a Rayleigh–Bénard instability (the Horton–Rogers–Lapwood problem), in which stagnation points are located at a fixed interface. This system experiences a transition from a diffusion controlled mixing to a chaotic convection as the Rayleigh number increases. Finally, a Rayleigh–Taylor instability with a moving interface, in which mixing undergoes three different regimes: diffusive, convection dominated and convection shutdown. The interface compression model correctly predicts the behaviour of the systems. It shows how the dependency of the compression rate on diffusion explains the change in the scaling behaviour of the scalar dissipation rate. The model indicates that the interaction between stagnation points and the correlation structure of the velocity field is also responsible for the transition between regimes. We also show the difference in behaviour between the dissolution fluxes and the mixing state of the systems. We observe that while the dissolution flux decreases with the Rayleigh number, the system becomes more homogeneous. That is, mixing is enhanced by reducing diffusion. This observation is explained by the effect of the instability patterns.
Fetal DHA inadequacy and the impact on child neurodevelopment: a follow-up of a randomised trial of maternal DHA supplementation in pregnancy
Authors: Mulder Kelly A. , Elango Rajavel , Innis Sheila M.
Published: January 2018

DHA is an important component of neural lipids accumulating in neural tissue during development. Inadequate DHA in gestation may compromise infant development, but it is unknown whether there are lasting effects. We sought to determine whether the observed effects of fetal DHA inadequacy on infant development persist into early childhood. This follow-up study assessed children (5–6 years) whose mothers received 400 mg/d DHA or a placebo during pregnancy. Child neurodevelopment was assessed with several age-appropriate tests including the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children. A risk-reduction model was used whereby the odds that a child from the maternal placebo group would fail to achieve a test score in the top quartile was calculated. The association of maternal DHA intake and status in gestation with child test scores, as well as with child DHA intake and status, was also determined. No differences were detected in children (n 98) from the maternal placebo and DHA groups achieving a high neurodevelopment test score (P>0·05). However, maternal DHA status was positively related to child performance on some tests including language and short-term memory. Furthermore, child DHA intake and status were related to the mother’s intake and status in gestation. The neurodevelopment effects of fetal DHA inadequacy may have been lost or masked by other variables in the children. Although we provide evidence that maternal DHA status is related to child cognitive performance, the association of maternal and child DHA intake and status limits the interpretation of whether DHA before or after birth is important.
Maids, Clerks, and the Shifting Landscape of Labor Relations in Rio de Janeiro, 1830s–1880s
Authors: Lima Henrique Espada , Popinigis Fabiane
Published: January 2018

This article focuses on the lives of workers in small commerce and in domestic service in nineteenth-century Rio de Janeiro. It seeks to understand both what united and what differentiated maids (criadas) and clerks (caixeiros), two types of laborers whose lives and work had much in common, and two categories of labor that, although ubiquitous, are frequently overlooked in Brazilian labor history. We consider how, together, class, gender, and race shaped the divergent trajectories ofcriadasandcaixeirosover the course of the nineteenth century, and what the legal disputes in which they were involved during that period can teach us about the shifting dynamics in labor relations in a society marked by both slavery and labor dependency more broadly. As sources for this analysis, we draw on documents produced by legal proceedings from the 1830s through the 1880s, in which men and women involved in petty commerce and domestic service presented their cases before the courts to claim their unpaid wages.
The Rise of Xinjiang Studies: AJASNew Author Forum
Authors: Thum Rian , Jacobs Justin , Cliff Tom , Brophy David , Kim Kwangmin , Kobi Madlen
Published: January 2018

Perhaps no area of China-related scholarship has taken longer to recover from the access limitations of the mid-twentieth century than the study of Xinjiang. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the study of Xinjiang was so fashionable that it had a wide following in the Western popular press, where the region was better known as Chinese Central Asia, Chinese Turkistan, or Eastern Turkistan. When the turmoil of the Republican and Mao eras made the region almost entirely inaccessible to outsiders, the study of Xinjiang began a long sojourn in the Western academic wilderness. After all, the earlier interest had always been tinged with Orientalist travel fantasy and imperial desires that required scholarly boots on the ground.
Uniqueness in the determination of loads in multi-span beams and plates
Authors: KAWANO ALEXANDRE , MORASSI ANTONINO
Published: January 2018

Most of the results available on the inverse problem of determining loads acting on elastic beams or plates under transverse vibration refer to single beam or single plate. In this paper, we consider the determination of sources in multi-span systems obtained by connecting either two Euler–Bernoulli elastic beams or two rectangular Kirchhoff–Love elastic plates. The material of the structure is assumed to be homogeneous and isotropic. The transverse load is of the form g(t)f(x), where g(t) is a known function of time and f(x) is the unknown term depending on the position variable x. Under slight a priori assumptions, we prove a uniqueness result for f(x) in terms of observations of the dynamic response taken at interior points of the structure in an arbitrary small interval of time. A numerical implementation of the method is included to show the possible application of the results in the practical identification of the source term.
Secular trends in regional differences in nutritional biomarkers and self-reported dietary intakes among American adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1988–1994 to 2009–2010
Authors: Kant Ashima K , Graubard Barry I
Published: January 2018

Objective

To understand the contribution of regional differentials in dietary exposures to regional gradients in health, we examined 20-year trends in the association of US census region of residence with nutritional biomarkers and dietary intakes of American adults.

Design

Observational.

Setting

The biomarker and 24 h dietary recall data were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) conducted during 1988–1994 and 1999–2010. The US census region was operationalized as Northeast, Midwest, South and West. Nutritional biomarker outcomes were serum folate, vitamins B6, B12, C, D and E, and carotenoids; dietary outcomes were intakes of nutrients, food groups and eating patterns.

Subjects

US adults, n>8000–40 000 for biomarkers and >43 000 for dietary outcomes.

Results

The interactions of survey time period and region were not significant for the examined biomarker and dietary outcomes, indicating similar secular trends among regions. The main effect of region was significant for all nutritional biomarkers except serum vitamin B6, most dietary micronutrients, food groups and eating patterns (P<0·001). The mean serum folate, vitamins B12, C and E, and all carotenoid (except lycopene) biomarker levels, and intakes of dietary fibre, vitamins A, E, C and B6, folate, K, Ca, Mg and Fe, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, were higher in the West and Northeast regions, relative to the South and Midwest regions.

Conclusions

Overall, the regional gradients in dietary exposure, expressed objectively as biomarkers or as self-reported nutrient and food group intakes, paralleled trajectories reported for health outcomes and were remarkably persistent over time.
Declaration of nutrition information on and nutritional quality of Thai ready-to-eat packaged food products
Authors: Pongutta Suladda , Chongwatpol Pitipa , Tantayapirak Parwin , Vandevijvere Stefanie
Published: January 2018

Objective

The present study assessed the nutrition information displayed on ready-to-eat packaged foods and the nutritional quality of those food products in Thailand.

Design

In March 2015, the nutrition information panels and nutrition and health claims on ready-to-eat packaged foods were collected from the biggest store of each of the twelve major retailers, using protocols developed by the International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS). The Thai Nutrient Profile Model was used to classify food products according to their nutritional quality as ‘healthier’ or ‘less healthy’.

Results

In total, information from 7205 food products was collected across five broad food categories. Out of those products, 5707 (79·2 %), 2536 (35·2 %) and 1487 (20·6 %) carried a nutrition facts panel, a Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) label and health-related claims, respectively. Only 4691 (65·1 %) and 2484 (34·5 %) of the products that displayed the nutrition facts or a GDA label, respectively, followed the guidelines of the Thai Food and Drug Administration. In total, 4689 products (65·1 %) could be classified according to the Thai Nutrient Profile Model, of which 432 products (9·2 %) were classified as healthier. Moreover, among the 1487 products carrying health-related claims, 1219 (82·0 %) were classified as less healthy. Allowing less healthy food products to carry claims could mislead consumers and result in overconsumption of ready-to-eat food products.

Conclusions

The findings suggest effective policies should be implemented to increase the relative availability of healthier ready-to-eat packaged foods, as well as to improve the provision of nutrition information on labels in Thailand.
Fish consumption and risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: a dose–response meta-analysis of prospective observational studies
Authors: Jayedi Ahmad , Shab-Bidar Sakineh , Eimeri Saragol , Djafarian Kurosh
Published: January 2018

Objective

There are some indications of regional differences in the association between fish consumption and clinical outcomes. We aimed to test the linear and potential non-linear dose–response relationships between fish consumption and risk of all-cause and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality, and possible confounding by region.

Design

Systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis.

Setting

Systematic search using PubMed and Scopus, from inception up to September 2016.

Subjects

Prospective observational studies reporting the estimates of all-cause and CVD mortality in relation to three or more categories of fish intake were included. Random-effects dose–response meta-analysis was conducted.

Results

Fourteen prospective cohort studies (ten publications) with 911 348 participants and 75 451 incident deaths were included. A 20 g/d increment in fish consumption was significantly and inversely associated with the risk of CVD mortality (relative risk=0·96; 95 % CI 0·94, 0·98; I2=0 %, n 8) and marginally and inversely associated with the risk of all-cause mortality (relative risk=0·98; 95 % CI 0·97, 1·00; I2=81·9 %, n 14). Subgroup analysis resulted in a significant association only in the subgroup of Asian studies, compared with Western studies, in both analyses. Analysis of Western studies suggested a nearly U-shaped association, with a nadir at fish consumption of ~20 g/d in analysis of both outcomes. Meanwhile, the associations appeared to be linear in Asian studies.

Conclusions

There was potential evidence of regional differences in the association between fish consumption and mortality. It may be helpful to examine the associations by considering types of fish consumed and methods of fish preparation.
Mediation of inducible nitric oxide and immune-reactive lysozymes biosynthesis by eicosanoid and biogenic amines in flesh flies
Authors: Mohamed Amr A. , Ali Mona M. , Dorrah Moataza A. , Bassal Taha T. M.
Published: January 2018

Nitric oxide (NO) plays various roles in insect immunity: as a cytotoxic component and as a signalling molecule; and immune-reactive lysozymes (IrLys) provide a first line of humoral immune functions against invading bacteria. Although there is considerable literature on eicosanoid and biogenic monoamine actions on insect immunity, there is no information on the role(s) of these chemicals in inducing NO and IrLys. We addressed this gap by challenging third instarSarcophaga(Liopygia)argyrostoma(Robineau-Desvoidy) with the Gram-positive bacteriumMicrococcus luteus. Here, we report that bacterial challenge induces elevation of NO and IrLys concentrations in haemocytes and in the fat body. The plasma pool content is comparatively low. Eicosanoid biosynthesis inhibitors (EBIs) lead to suppression of both NO and IrLys levels. Control larvae have low constitutive levels of NO and lysozyme concentrations. Octopamine (OA) elicits elevation of NO and IrLys concentrations. A similar effect is obtained by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) for NO. These data indicate immune-mediating roles of eicosanoids, OA and 5-HT in NO and IrLys activities.
The Force of Dispositifs
Authors: Dodier Nicolas , Barbot Janine
Published: January 2018

The social sciences have much to gain by paying particular attention to the place that dispositifs occupy in social life. The utility of such a perspective is clear from an examination of the research that has made use of this notion since the end of the 1970s. Yet in addition to the wide variety of definitions and objectives relating to the concept of dispositif, a reading of these works also reveals some of the difficulties that have been encountered along the way. An effort to clarify and renew the discussion on both the conceptual and methodological levels is thus worthwhile, and this article is a contribution to that end. The first section sets out the results of our conceptual inquiry into the notion of dispositif. The second puts forward a series of propositions designed to develop a “processual” approach to dispositifs. Finally, we return to several studies that we have conducted from this perspective relating to the dispositifs of redress, looking at the doctrinal work of jurists around a criminal trial, the practices of lawyers in the courtroom, the reactions of victims of a medical scandal to a compensation fund, and the historical transformation of dispositifs of redress for medical accidents since the beginning of the nineteenth century. This enables us to clarify the approach we propose and to suggest new avenues for the future.
Coalition Resurrects Climate Advisory Panel Dissolved by Trump
Authors: Wendel JoAnna , Kumar Mohi
Published: January 2018

A partnership between New York State, Columbia University, and others reestablished the panel, which will study how best to deliver climate data to state governments, cities, industries, and more.
Lipidized prolactin-releasing peptide improved glucose tolerance in metabolic syndrome: Koletsky and spontaneously hypertensive rat study
Authors: Mikulášková Barbora , Holubová Martina , Pražienková Veronika , Zemenová Jana , Hrubá Lucie , Haluzík Martin , Železná Blanka , Kuneš Jaroslav , Maletínská Lenka
Published: January 2018

Background/Objectives

Prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP) has a potential to decrease food intake and ameliorate obesity, but is ineffective after peripheral administration. We have previously shown that our novel lipidized analogs PrRP enhances its stability in the circulation and enables its central effect after peripheral application. The purpose of this study was to explore if sub-chronic administration of novel PrRP analog palmitoylated in position 11 (palm11-PrRP31) to Koletsky-spontaneously hypertensive obese rats (SHROB) could lower body weight and glucose intolerance as well as other metabolic parameters.

Subjects/Methods

The SHROB rats (n = 16) were used for this study and age-matched hypertensive lean SHR littermates (n = 16) served as controls. Palm11-PrRP31 was administered intraperitoneally to SHR and SHROB (n = 8) at a dose of 5 mg/kg once-daily for 3 weeks. During the dosing period food intake and body weight were monitored. At the end of the experiment the oral glucose tolerance test was performed; plasma and tissue samples were collected. Thereafter, arterial blood pressure was measured.

Results

At the end of the experiment, vehicle-treated SHROB rats showed typical metabolic syndrome parameters, including obesity, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Peripheral treatment with palm11-PrRP31 progressively decreased the body weight of SHR rats but not SHROB rats, though glucose tolerance was markedly improved in both strains. Moreover, in SHROB palm11-PrRP31 ameliorated the HOMA index, insulin/glucagon ratio, and increased insulin receptor substrate 1 and 2 expression in fat and insulin signaling in the hypothalamus, while it had no effect on blood pressure.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that our new lipidized PrRP analog is capable of improving glucose tolerance in obese SHROB rats after peripheral application, suggesting that its effect on glucose metabolism is independent of leptin signaling and body weight lowering. These data suggest that this analog has the potential to be a compound with both anti-obesity and glucose-lowering properties.
Oral microbiota of periodontal health and disease and their changes after nonsurgical periodontal therapy
Authors: Chen Casey , Hemme Chris , Beleno Joan , Shi Zhou Jason , Ning Daliang , Qin Yujia , Tu Qichao , Jorgensen Michael , He Zhili , Wu Liyou , Zhou Jizhong
Published: January 2018

This study examined the microbial diversity and community assembly of oral microbiota in periodontal health and disease and after nonsurgical periodontal treatment. The V4 region of 16S rRNA gene from DNA of 238 saliva and subgingival samples of 21 healthy and 48 diseased subjects was amplified and sequenced. Among 1979 OTUs identified, 28 were overabundant in diseased plaque. Six of these taxa were also overabundant in diseased saliva. Twelve OTUs were overabundant in healthy plaque. There was a trend for disease-associated taxa to decrease and health-associated taxa to increase after treatment with notable variations among individual sites. Network analysis revealed modularity of the microbial communities and identified several health- and disease-specific modules. Ecological drift was a major factor that governed community turnovers in both plaque and saliva. Dispersal limitation and homogeneous selection affected the community assembly in plaque, with the additional contribution of homogenizing dispersal for plaque within individuals. Homogeneous selection and dispersal limitation played important roles, respectively, in healthy saliva and diseased pre-treatment saliva between individuals. Our results revealed distinctions in both taxa and assembly processes of oral microbiota between periodontal health and disease. Furthermore, the community assembly analysis has identified potentially effective approaches for managing periodontitis.
Seabird colonies as important global drivers in the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles
Authors: Otero Xosé Luis , De La Peña-Lastra Saul , Pérez-Alberti Augusto , Ferreira Tiago Osorio , Huerta-Diaz Miguel Angel
Published: January 2018

Seabirds drastically transform the environmental conditions of the sites where they establish their breeding colonies via soil, sediment, and water eutrophication (hereafter termed ornitheutrophication). Here, we report worldwide amounts of total nitrogen (N) and total phosphorus (P) excreted by seabirds using an inventory of global seabird populations applied to a bioenergetics model. We estimate these fluxes to be 591 Gg N y−1and 99 Gg P y−1, respectively, with the Antarctic and Southern coasts receiving the highest N and P inputs. We show that these inputs are of similar magnitude to others considered in global N and P cycles, with concentrations per unit of surface area in seabird colonies among the highest measured on the Earth’s surface. Finally, an important fraction of the total excreted N (72.5 Gg y−1) and P (21.8 Gg y−1) can be readily solubilized, increasing their short-term bioavailability in continental and coastal waters located near the seabird colonies.
The deep-subsurface sulfate reducer Desulfotomaculum kuznetsovii employs two methanol-degrading pathways
Authors: Sousa Diana Z. , Visser Michael , van Gelder Antonie H. , Boeren Sjef , Pieterse Mervin M. , Pinkse Martijn W. H. , Verhaert Peter D. E. M. , Vogt Carsten , Franke Steffi , Kümmel Steffen , Stams Alfons J. M.
Published: January 2018

Methanol is generally metabolized through a pathway initiated by a cobalamine-containing methanol methyltransferase by anaerobic methylotrophs (such as methanogens and acetogens), or through oxidation to formaldehyde using a methanol dehydrogenase by aerobes. Methanol is an important substrate in deep-subsurface environments, where thermophilic sulfate-reducing bacteria of the genus Desulfotomaculum have key roles. Here, we study the methanol metabolism of Desulfotomaculum kuznetsovii strain 17T, isolated from a 3000-m deep geothermal water reservoir. We use proteomics to analyze cells grown with methanol and sulfate in the presence and absence of cobalt and vitamin B12. The results indicate the presence of two methanol-degrading pathways in D. kuznetsovii, a cobalt-dependent methanol methyltransferase and a cobalt-independent methanol dehydrogenase, which is further confirmed by stable isotope fractionation. This is the first report of a microorganism utilizing two distinct methanol conversion pathways. We hypothesize that this gives D. kuznetsovii a competitive advantage in its natural environment.
Cooperating with machines
Authors: Crandall Jacob W. , Oudah Mayada , Tennom  , Ishowo-Oloko Fatimah , Abdallah Sherief , Bonnefon Jean-François , Cebrian Manuel , Shariff Azim , Goodrich Michael A. , Rahwan Iyad
Published: January 2018

Since Alan Turing envisioned artificial intelligence, technical progress has often been measured by the ability to defeat humans in zero-sum encounters (e.g., Chess, Poker, or Go). Less attention has been given to scenarios in which human–machine cooperation is beneficial but non-trivial, such as scenarios in which human and machine preferences are neither fully aligned nor fully in conflict. Cooperation does not require sheer computational power, but instead is facilitated by intuition, cultural norms, emotions, signals, and pre-evolved dispositions. Here, we develop an algorithm that combines a state-of-the-art reinforcement-learning algorithm with mechanisms for signaling. We show that this algorithm can cooperate with people and other algorithms at levels that rival human cooperation in a variety of two-player repeated stochastic games. These results indicate that general human–machine cooperation is achievable using a non-trivial, but ultimately simple, set of algorithmic mechanisms.
Electron affinity of liquid water
Authors: Gaiduk Alex P. , Pham Tuan Anh , Govoni Marco , Paesani Francesco , Galli Giulia
Published: January 2018

Understanding redox and photochemical reactions in aqueous environments requires a precise knowledge of the ionization potential and electron affinity of liquid water. The former has been measured, but not the latter. We predict the electron affinity of liquid water and of its surface from first principles, coupling path-integral molecular dynamics with ab initio potentials, and many-body perturbation theory. Our results for the surface (0.8 eV) agree well with recent pump-probe spectroscopy measurements on amorphous ice. Those for the bulk (0.1–0.3 eV) differ from several estimates adopted in the literature, which we critically revisit. We show that the ionization potential of the bulk and surface are almost identical; instead their electron affinities differ substantially, with the conduction band edge of the surface much deeper in energy than that of the bulk. We also discuss the significant impact of nuclear quantum effects on the fundamental gap and band edges of the liquid.
Long-lived hot-carrier light emission and large blue shift in formamidinium tin triiodide perovskites
Authors: Fang Hong-Hua , Adjokatse Sampson , Shao Shuyan , Even Jacky , Loi Maria Antonietta
Published: January 2018

A long-lived hot carrier population is critical in order to develop working hot carrier photovoltaic devices with efficiencies exceeding the Shockley–Queisser limit. Here, we report photoluminescence from hot-carriers with unexpectedly long lifetime (a few ns) in formamidinium tin triiodide. An unusual large blue shift of the time-integrated photoluminescence with increasing excitation power (150 meV at 24 K and 75 meV at 293 K) is displayed. On the basis of the analysis of energy-resolved and time-resolved photoluminescence, we posit that these phenomena are associated with slow hot carrier relaxation and state-filling of band edge states. These observations are both important for our understanding of lead-free hybrid perovskites and for an eventual future development of efficient lead-free perovskite photovoltaics.
Groups clapping in unison undergo size-dependent error-induced frequency increase
Authors: Thomson Michael , Murphy Kennedy , Lukeman Ryan
Published: January 2018

Humans clapping together in unison is a familiar and robust example of emergent synchrony. We find that in experiments, such groups (from two to a few hundred) always increase clapping frequency, and larger groups increase more quickly. Based on single-person experiments and modeling, an individual tendency to rush is ruled out as an explanation. Instead, an asymmetric sensitivity in aural interactions explains the frequency increase, whereby individuals correct more strongly to match neighbour claps that precede their own clap, than those that follow it. A simple conceptual coupled oscillator model based on this interaction recovers the main features observed in experiments, and shows that the collective frequency increase is driven by the small timing errors in individuals, and the resulting inter-individual interactions that occur to maintain unison.
Glyburide and retinoic acid synergize to promote wound healing by anti-inflammation and RIP140 degradation
Authors: Lin Yi-Wei , Liu Pu-Ste , Pook Kasey Ah , Wei Li-Na
Published: January 2018

Chronic inflammation underlies the development of metabolic diseases and individuals with metabolic disease often also suffer from delayed wound healing due to prolonged inflammation. Resolving inflammation provides a therapeutic strategy in treating metabolic diseases. We previously showed that during an anti-inflammatory response when macrophages were alternatively (M2) polarized, retinoic acid (RA) dramatically activated arginase 1 gene (Arg1), a gene crucial for wound healing. Here we report that a widely used sulfonylurea drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), glyburide, enhances the anti-inflammatory response and synergizes with RA to promote wound healing. Our data also delineate the mechanism underlying glyburide’s anti-inflammatory effect, which is to stimulate the degradation of a pro-inflammatory regulator, Receptor Interacting Protein 140 (RIP140), by activating Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CamKII) that triggers specific ubiquitination of RIP140 for degradation. By stimulating RIP140 degradation, glyburide enhances M2 polarization and anti-inflammation. Using a high-fat diet induced obesity mouse model to monitor wound healing effects, we provide a proof-of-concept for a therapeutic strategy that combining glyburide and RA can significantly improve wound healing. Mechanistically, this study uncovers a new mechanism of action of glyburide and a new pathway modulating RIP140 protein degradation that is mediated by CamKII signaling.
The impact of SO2 on wine flavanols and indoles in relation to wine style and age
Authors: Arapitsas Panagiotis , Guella Graziano , Mattivi Fulvio
Published: January 2018

Wine has one of the broadest chemical profiles, and the common oenological practice of adding the antioxidant and antimicrobial sulfur dioxide has a major impact on its metabolomic fingerprint. In this study, we investigated novel discovered oenological reactions primarily occurring between wine metabolites and sulfur dioxide. The sulfonated derivatives of epicatechin, procyanidin B2, indole acetic acid, indole lactic acid and tryptophol were synthesized and for the first time quantified in wine. Analysis of 32 metabolites in 195 commercial wines (1986–2016 vintages) suggested that sulfonation of tryptophan metabolites characterised white wines, in contrast to red wines, where sulfonation of flavanols was preferred. The chemical profile of the oldest wines was strongly characterised by sulfonated flavanols and indoles, indicating that could be fundamental metabolites in explaining quality in both red and white aged wines. These findings offer new prospects for more precise use of sulfur dioxide in winemaking.
Hydrogen-bonding-induced colorimetric detection of melamine based on the peroxidase activity of gelatin-coated cerium oxide nanospheres
Authors: Jin Xiaoyong , Yin Wenqing , Ni Gang , Peng Juan
Published: January 2018

A simple and rapid colorimetric assay for the detection of melamine based on the ABTS–H2O2–Gel-CeO2 system was developed.
The thiolation of pentafluorobenzene with disulfides by C–H, C–F bond activation and C–S bond formation
Authors: Liu Zijian , Ouyang Kunbing , Yang Nianfa
Published: January 2018

A metal-free thiolation reaction between pentafluorobenzene and disulfides by C–H, C–F bond activation and C–S bond formation is reported.
The Piancatelli reaction and its variants: recent applications to high added-value chemicals and biomass valorization
Authors: Verrier Charlie , Moebs-Sanchez Sylvie , Queneau Yves , Popowycz Florence
Published: January 2018

The conversion of furfuryl alcohols by the Piancatelli reaction (and its C- and N-variants) provided highly functionalized cyclopentenones (intermolecular) and spirocycles (intramolecular).
Highly chemoselective intermolecular cross-benzoin reactions using an ad hoc designed novel N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst
Authors: Delany Eoghan G. , Connon Stephen J.
Published: January 2018

A new N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst incorporating a bulky yet electron-deficient N-aryl substituent promotes highly chemoselective intermolecular crossed benzoin condensations.
Thermo- and redox-responsive dendronized polymer hydrogels
Authors: Zhang Xiacong , Yin Yu , Yan Jiatao , Li Wen , Zhang Afang
Published: January 2018

Unique supramolecular coordination of Fe2+ with terpyridine afford these hydrogels redox-responsive sol–gel transitions, while characteristic thermoresponsive properties from OEG-based first generation dendronized polymers render these hydrogels thermally-induced macroscopical volume changes and enhanced mechanical properties.
Quantified structural speciation in self-sorted CoII6L4 cage systems
Authors: Rizzuto Felix J. , Kieffer Marion , Nitschke Jonathan R.
Published: January 2018

Molecules often mix in unexpected ways – we present a new method of calculating product distributions in complex sorting systems.
Calcium(ii)-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate additions of amines
Authors: Uno Brice E. , Dicken Rachel D. , Redfern Louis R. , Stern Charlotte M. , Krzywicki Greg G. , Scheidt Karl A.
Published: January 2018

The direct enantioselective chiral calcium(ii)·phosphate complex (Ca[CPA]2)-catalyzed conjugate addition of unprotected alkyl amines to maleimides was developed.
Hydrogen production from methane at 200 to 500 °C – clean hydrogen production in conjunction with carbon fixation at 200 to 250 °C
Authors: Lu Baowang , Inoue Mitsuhiro , Abe Takayuki
Published: January 2018

Ru/C catalyst allows stable H2 production at 200 °C and clean H2 in conjunction with carbon fixation at 200–250 °C.
Pillaring and NiOx co-catalyst loading as alternatives for the photoactivity enhancement of K2Ti4O9 towards water splitting
Authors: Melo Mauricio A. , Carminati Saulo A. , Bettini Jefferson , Nogueira Ana F.
Published: January 2018

Combining TiO2 pillaring with the loading of the NiOx co-catalyst can boost the water splitting hydrogen production over K2Ti4O9 66 times.
High accuracy indoor positioning scheme using single LED and camera
Authors: Zheng Zhong , Liu Lu , Zhao Che , Hu Weiwei
Published: January 2018

A high accuracy optical indoor positioning scheme is proposed and experimentally demonstrated, which only employs a single light‐emitting diode (LED) as the beacon and a camera as the receiver. The camera obtains the angle of arrival of the light using the projection model of the lens, and simultaneously works as photodiodes to measure the received light strength with properly controlled analogue gain and exposure time. The joint measured angle of arrival and received light strength are utilised as the fingerprint to determine the position of the receiver. The experimental results show that the proposed positioning scheme achieves a high precision where the 95th percentile accuracy is 1.97 cm.
Modelling of fault in RPM using the GLARMA and INGARCH model
Authors: Kim Ji‐Yong , Kim Hee‐Young , Park Daihee , Chung Yongwha
Published: January 2018

According to the of time series of faults in railway point machines (RPMs), forecasting approach based on the generalised linear autoregressive moving average (GLARMA) models and the integer‐valued generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic (INGARCH) models are presented. The conditional distribution of observed fault counts of given previous faults and weather conditions are assumed to be Poisson or negative binomial distributions. The forecasting future fault counts of RPM are obtained by one‐step‐ahead forecasts and the performance evaluation shows that the GLARMA method performs better than the traditional autoregressive moving‐average (ARMA) model and generalised linear model (GLM).
Estimation of transmit‐antenna number with different space–frequency transmission schemes for MIMO‐OFDM systems
Authors: Li Tao , Li Yongzhao , Gao Mingjun , Zhang Hailin
Published: January 2018

A hypothesis testing based algorithm is proposed to estimate the transmit‐antenna number with different space–frequency transmission schemes for multiple‐input multiple‐output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO‐OFDM) systems. The ranks of received sample covariance matrices composed by every two adjacent subcarriers can be estimated by utilising the statistical property of the largest noise eigenvalue. With a series of the estimated values of the ranks, the number of transmit antennas is determined by a decision mechanism, which is designed based on the frequencies of the rank values. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed algorithm performs well without the prior knowledge of the space–frequency transmission scheme.