bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Whole-grain consumption and its effects on hepatic steatosis and liver enzymes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomised controlled clinical trial
Authors: Dorosti Masoumeh , Jafary Heidarloo Ali , Bakhshimoghaddam Farnush , Alizadeh Mohammad 
Published: November 2019

AbstractNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a considerable challenge to public health across the globe. Whole grain is highly recommended as an inseparable part of a healthy diet and has been proposed as an effective way to manage NAFLD. The objective in the present study was to evaluate the effects of whole-grain consumption on hepatic steatosis and liver enzymes as primary outcomes in patients with NAFLD. Over the 12 weeks of this open-label, randomised controlled clinical trial, 112 patients (mean age 43 (sd 8·7) years; BMI 32·2 (sd 4·3) kg/m2) were randomly assigned to two groups to receive dietary advice, either to obtain at least half of their cereal servings each day from whole-grain foods or from usual cereals. By the end of the study, the grades of NAFLD showed a significant decrease in the intervention group (P < 0·001). In addition, a significant reduction in serum concentration of alanine aminotransferase (P < 0·001), aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0·001), γ-glutamyltransferase (P = 0·009), systolic blood pressure (P = 0·004) and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0·008) was observed in the intervention group compared with the control group. After adjusting, however, no significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of lipid profile, glycaemic status and anthropometric measurements. Overall, our study demonstrated that consumption of whole grains for 12 weeks had beneficial effects on hepatic steatosis and liver enzymes concentrations in patients with NAFLD.
The Price of Peace: Motivated Reasoning and Costly Signaling in International Relations
Authors: Kertzer Joshua D. , Rathbun Brian C. , Rathbun Nina Srinivasan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCanonical models of costly signaling in international relations (IR) tend to assume costly signals speak for themselves: a signal's costliness is typically understood to be a function of the signal, not the perceptions of the recipient. Integrating the study of signaling in IR with research on motivated skepticism and asymmetric updating from political psychology, we show that individuals’ tendencies to embrace information consistent with their overarching belief systems (and dismiss information inconsistent with it) has important implications for how signals are interpreted. We test our theory in the context of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran, combining two survey experiments fielded on members of the American mass public. We find patterns consistent with motivated skepticism: the individuals most likely to update their beliefs are those who need reassurance the least, such that costly signals cause polarization rather than convergence. Successful signaling therefore requires knowing something about the orientations of the signal's recipient.
Antarctic arms control as past precedent
Authors: Musto Ryan A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe 1959 Antarctic Treaty made Antarctica the world’s first and only demilitarised continent, the world’s first denuclearised zone, and pioneered a comprehensive inspections system. This article explores Antarctic arms control as past precedent. It finds that the United States, which spearheaded the Antarctic Treaty negotiations, initially rationalised arms control in Antarctica as an isolated endeavour. Yet its potential elsewhere quickly appealed to various officials involved in the treaty negotiations and aligned with public perception. Subsequent initiatives for arms control took broad inspiration from the Antarctic Treaty, but regional differences limited specific adaptations.
Temperature diagnostics for Z-pinches plasma in dependence on compression degree
Authors: Orlov N. Yu. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCalculations of the spectral coefficients for X-ray absorption and spectral brightness's for X-ray radiation were performed for niobium Z-pinch plasma at the temperature of 1 keV and at different plasma densities to determine the compression degree where the spectral lines become indistinguishable. As known, traditional methods of temperature diagnostics of hot dense radiating plasmas are based on analysis of the spectral line shape in dependence on plasma temperature and density. In this case, the interval of photon radiation energies is used, where the spectral lines are well distinguishable in an experiment. On the other hand, Z-pinch plasma has high compression, and an increase of plasma density leads to the deformation of the spectral line shape because of Doppler broadening, Stark broadening, and so-called “additional” broadening of spectral lines that take place in a quantum statistical ensemble of plasma ions and atoms. The traditional method of temperature diagnostics becomes impossible and different methods, which do not use spectral line characteristics, should be applied. The aim of this paper is to determine the density border where the spectral lines become indistinguishable. Important features of the quantum mechanical model, which is known as ion model of plasma, and which is used for calculations in the presented paper, are considered and discussed. A brief review of the theoretical models that have been earlier developed to calculate the radiative opacity characteristics of hot dense plasma is presented as well.
Team learning from human demonstration with coordination confidence
Authors: Banerjee Bikramjit , Vittanala Syamala , Taylor Matthew Edmund 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Among an array of techniques proposed to speed-up reinforcement learning (RL), learning from human demonstration has a proven record of success. A related technique, called Human-Agent Transfer, and its confidence-based derivatives have been successfully applied to single-agent RL. This article investigates their application to collaborative multi-agent RL problems. We show that a first-cut extension may leave room for improvement in some domains, and propose a new algorithm called coordination confidence (CC). CC analyzes the difference in perspectives between a human demonstrator (global view) and the learning agents (local view) and informs the agents’ action choices when the difference is critical and simply following the human demonstration can lead to miscoordination. We conduct experiments in three domains to investigate the performance of CC in comparison with relevant baselines.
Providing objective feedback in supervision in motivational interviewing: results from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Beckman Maria , Forsberg Lars , Lindqvist Helena , Ghaderi Ata 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackground:The effects of the use of objective feedback in supervision on the supervisory relationship and skill acquisition is unknown.Aims:The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different types of objective feedback provided during supervision in motivational interviewing (MI) on: (a) the supervisory relationship, including potential feelings of discomfort/distress, provoked by the supervision sessions, and (b) the supervisees’ skill acquisition.Method:Data were obtained from a MI dissemination study conducted in five county councils across five county councils across Sweden. All 98 practitioners recorded sessions with standardized clients and were randomized to either systematic feedback based on only the behavioral component of a feedback protocol, or systematic feedback based on the entire protocol.Results:The two different ways to provide objective feedback did not negatively affect the supervisory relationship, or provoke discomfort/distress among the supervisees, and the group that received the behavioural component of the feedback protocol performed better on only two of the seven skill measures.Conclusions:Objective feedback does not seem to negatively affect either the supervisor–supervisee working alliance or the supervisees’ supervision experience. The observed differences in MI skill acquisition were small, and constructive replications are needed to ascertain the mode and complexity of feedback that optimizes practitioners’ learning, while minimizing the sense of discomfort and distress.
Authoritative Maternal Parenting Associates With the Explicit Need for Autonomy
Authors: Ramsay Jonathan E. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract. Previous research suggests that parenting style influences the development of the needs for achievement, power, and affiliation. The present study investigated the relationship between parenting style and another important motive disposition – the need for autonomy – in a sample of Singapore university students ( N = 97, 69% female), using a cross-sectional and retrospective design. It was predicted that an authoritative perceived parenting style would relate positively to the implicit need for autonomy ( nAut), the explicit need for autonomy ( sanAut), and the congruence between these two motive dispositions. Authoritative maternal parenting was found to positively associate with sanAut, while maternal parenting was not found to associate with nAut, or with nAut/ sanAut congruence. Paternal parenting was not associated with any of the dependent variables.
Perfectionism and the Impact of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation in Daily Life
Authors: Harper Kelly L. , Eddington Kari M. , Lunsford Jaimie , Hoet Ariana C. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract. Previous research indicates that socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) and self-oriented perfectionism (SOP) are associated with extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, respectively. However, little is known about the impact of daily intrinsic and extrinsic motivated goals on affect in perfectionists. This daily diary study examined the extent to which perfectionism moderates the relationship between motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic) and affect (including self-conscious emotions). Participants ( N = 132) varying in levels of perfectionism completed 14 days of online surveys that included questions about pursuit of daily goals and affect. SOP did not predict the covariation of types of motivation and affect. SPP, by contrast, predicted the covariation of extrinsic motivation and guilt (and pride). Results suggest that for people high on SPP, pursuing extrinsic motivated goals is associated with higher levels of guilt and lower levels of pride. Future directions and implications are discussed.
Recent advances in the CRISPR genome editing tool set
Authors: Moon Su Bin , Kim Do Yon , Ko Jeong-Heon , Kim Yong-Sam 
Published: November 2019

AbstractGenome editing took a dramatic turn with the development of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas) system. The CRISPR-Cas system is functionally divided into classes 1 and 2 according to the composition of the effector genes. Class 2 consists of a single effector nuclease, and routine practice of genome editing has been achieved by the development of the Class 2 CRISPR-Cas system, which includes the type II, V, and VI CRISPR-Cas systems. Types II and V can be used for DNA editing, while type VI is employed for RNA editing. CRISPR techniques induce both qualitative and quantitative alterations in gene expression via the double-stranded breakage (DSB) repair pathway, base editing, transposase-dependent DNA integration, and gene regulation using the CRISPR-dCas or type VI CRISPR system. Despite significant technical improvements, technical challenges should be further addressed, including insufficient indel and HDR efficiency, off-target activity, the large size of Cas, PAM restrictions, and immune responses. If sophisticatedly refined, CRISPR technology will harness the process of DNA rewriting, which has potential applications in therapeutics, diagnostics, and biotechnology.
Down to the bone: the role of overlooked endolithic microbiomes in reef coral health
Authors: Pernice Mathieu , Raina Jean-Baptiste , Rädecker Nils , Cárdenas Anny , Pogoreutz Claudia , Voolstra Christian R 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Reef-building corals harbour an astonishing diversity of microorganisms, including endosymbiotic microalgae, bacteria, archaea, and fungi. The metabolic interactions within this symbiotic consortium are fundamental to the ecological success of corals and the unique productivity of coral reef ecosystems. Over the last two decades, scientific efforts have been primarily channelled into dissecting the symbioses occurring in coral tissues. Although easily accessible, this compartment is only 2–3 mm thick, whereas the underlying calcium carbonate skeleton occupies the vast internal volume of corals. Far from being devoid of life, the skeleton harbours a wide array of algae, endolithic fungi, heterotrophic bacteria, and other boring eukaryotes, often forming distinct bands visible to the bare eye. Some of the critical functions of these endolithic microorganisms in coral health, such as nutrient cycling and metabolite transfer, which could enable the survival of corals during thermal stress, have long been demonstrated. In addition, some of these microorganisms can dissolve calcium carbonate, weakening the coral skeleton and therefore may play a major role in reef erosion. Yet, experimental data are wanting due to methodological limitations. Recent technological and conceptual advances now allow us to tease apart the complex physical, ecological, and chemical interactions at the heart of coral endolithic microbial communities. These new capabilities have resulted in an excellent body of research and provide an exciting outlook to further address the functional microbial ecology of the “overlooked” coral skeleton.
Global water policy and local payment choices in rural Africa
Authors: Hope Rob , Ballon Paola 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSub-Saharan Africa is least likely to meet the Sustainable Development Goal for safely-managed drinking water. Africa is estimated to require at least three times more annual investment, as a share of the gross regional product, than any other region to achieve ‘basic’ drinking water for everyone by 2030. If rural water users are to share some of these costs then the performance of current services needs to improve. In Africa, when a rural waterpoint fails, it takes a month or more to repair. We model water user choices across maintenance service models delivered by public, private and community providers with trade-offs in speed of repairing faults, payment levels and cash management. We find higher payments are associated with higher education and faster repair times. Household wealth, sex of respondent, seasonality, and waterpoint congestion, reliability and quality all influence payment choices. Understanding local payment choices provide behavioural clues to design more sustainable funding and service delivery models to align global and local drinking water goals.
Proof-of-Concept Study of Drug Brain Permeability Between in Vivo Human Brain and an in Vitro iPSCs-Human Blood-Brain Barrier Model
Authors: Roux Gwenaëlle Le , Jarray Rafika , Guyot Anne-Cécile , Pavoni Serena , Costa Narciso , Théodoro Frédéric , Nassor Ferid , Pruvost Alain , Tournier Nicolas , Kiyan Yulia , Langer Oliver , Yates Frank , Deslys Jean Philippe , Mabondzo Aloïse 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe development of effective central nervous system (CNS) drugs has been hampered by the lack of robust strategies to mimic the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and cerebrovascular impairments in vitro. Recent technological advancements in BBB modeling using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) allowed to overcome some of these obstacles, nonetheless the pertinence for their use in drug permeation study remains to be established. This mandatory information requires a cross comparison of in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic data in the same species to avoid failure in late clinical drug development. Here, we measured the BBB permeabilities of 8 clinical positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands with known pharmacokinetic parameters in human brain in vivo with a newly developed in vitro iPSC-based human BBB (iPSC-hBBB) model. Our findings showed a good correlation between in vitro and in vivo drug brain permeability (R2 = 0.83; P = 0.008) which contrasted with the limited correlation between in vitro apparent permeability for a set of 18 CNS/non-CNS compounds using the in vitro iPSCs-hBBB model and drug physicochemical properties. Our data suggest that the iPSC-hBBB model can be integrated in a flow scheme of CNS drug screening and potentially used to study species differences in BBB permeation.
Metformin induces lipid changes on sphingolipid species and oxidized lipids in polycystic ovary syndrome women
Authors: Pradas Irene , Rovira-Llopis Susana , Naudí Alba , Bañuls Celia , Rocha Milagros , Hernandez-Mijares Antonio , Pamplona Reinald , Victor Victor M. , Jové Mariona 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMetformin is one of the treatments used for PCOS pathology decreasing body weight, plasma androgen, FSH and glucose levels. Unfortunately, there is little known about metformin’s effects on lipid metabolism, a crucial process in PCOS pathology. We have employed a lipidomic approach to explore alterations in the plasma lipid profile of patients with PCOS following metformin treatment. The aim is to offer new insights about the effect of metformin in PCOS patients. Plasma samples were obtained from 27 subjects prior to and following 12 weeks of metformin treatment. A detailed biochemical characterization and lipidomic profile was performed. Metformin reduces BMI, HOMA-IR, FSH and androstenedione and increases DHEA-S but no changes were found in glucose levels after treatment. Multivariate statistics revealed a specific lipidomic signature due to the effect of 12 weeks of metformin treatment in PCOS patients. This signature includes changes in sphingolipid metabolism suggesting a crosstalk between these lipid species and the androgenic metabolism and a decrease in oxidized lipids reinforcing that metformin treatment improves oxidative stress status. Our study confirms the specific effect of metformin in lipid metabolism on women with PCOS after 12 weeks of treatment.
Cannabinoids Exacerbate Alcohol Teratogenesis by a CB1-Hedgehog Interaction
Authors: Fish Eric W. , Murdaugh Laura B. , Zhang Chengjin , Boschen Karen E. , Boa-Amponsem Oswald , Mendoza-Romero Haley N. , Tarpley Michael , Chdid Lhoucine , Mukhopadhyay Somnath , Cole Gregory J. , Williams Kevin P. , Parnell Scott E. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWe tested whether cannabinoids (CBs) potentiate alcohol-induced birth defects in mice and zebrafish, and explored the underlying pathogenic mechanisms on Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling. The CBs, Δ9-THC, cannabidiol, HU-210, and CP 55,940 caused alcohol-like effects on craniofacial and brain development, phenocopying Shh mutations. Combined exposure to even low doses of alcohol with THC, HU-210, or CP 55,940 caused a greater incidence of birth defects, particularly of the eyes, than did either treatment alone. Consistent with the hypothesis that these defects are caused by deficient Shh, we found that CBs reduced Shh signaling by inhibiting Smoothened (Smo), while Shh mRNA or a CB1 receptor antagonist attenuated CB-induced birth defects. Proximity ligation experiments identified novel CB1-Smo heteromers, suggesting allosteric CB1-Smo interactions. In addition to raising concerns about the safety of cannabinoid and alcohol exposure during early embryonic development, this study establishes a novel link between two distinct signaling pathways and has widespread implications for development, as well as diseases such as addiction and cancer.
Disruption of the mouse Shmt2 gene confers embryonic anaemia via foetal liver-specific metabolomic disorders
Authors: Tani Haruna , Mito Takayuki , Velagapudi Vidya , Ishikawa Kaori , Umehara Moe , Nakada Kazuto , Suomalainen Anu , Hayashi Jun-Ichi 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn a previous study, we proposed that age-related mitochondrial respiration defects observed in elderly subjects are partially due to age-associated downregulation of nuclear-encoded genes, including serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2), which is involved in mitochondrial one-carbon (1C) metabolism. This assertion is supported by evidence that the disruption of mouse Shmt2 induces mitochondrial respiration defects in mouse embryonic fibroblasts generated from Shmt2-knockout E13.5 embryos experiencing anaemia and lethality. Here, we elucidated the potential mechanisms by which the disruption of this gene induces mitochondrial respiration defects and embryonic anaemia using Shmt2-knockout E13.5 embryos. The livers but not the brains of Shmt2-knockout E13.5 embryos presented mitochondrial respiration defects and growth retardation. Metabolomic profiling revealed that Shmt2 deficiency induced foetal liver-specific downregulation of 1C-metabolic pathways that create taurine and nucleotides required for mitochondrial respiratory function and cell division, respectively, resulting in the manifestation of mitochondrial respiration defects and growth retardation. Given that foetal livers function to produce erythroblasts in mouse embryos, growth retardation in foetal livers directly induced depletion of erythroblasts. By contrast, mitochondrial respiration defects in foetal livers also induced depletion of erythroblasts as a consequence of the inhibition of erythroblast differentiation, resulting in the manifestation of anaemia in Shmt2-knockout E13.5 embryos.
Dynamics of spin and density fluctuations in strongly interacting few-body systems
Authors: Barfknecht Rafael Emilio , Foerster Angela , Zinner Nikolaj Thomas 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe decoupling of spin and density dynamics is a remarkable feature of quantum one-dimensional many-body systems. In a few-body regime, however, little is known about this phenomenon. To address this problem, we study the time evolution of a small system of strongly interacting fermions after a sudden change in the trapping geometry. We show that, even at the few-body level, the excitation spectrum of this system presents separate signatures of spin and density dynamics. Moreover, we describe the effect of considering additional internal states with SU(N) symmetry, which ultimately leads to the vanishing of spin excitations in a completely balanced system.