bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlated observation error models for assimilating all-sky infrared radiances
Authors: Geer Alan J. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract. The benefit of hyperspectral infrared sounders to weather forecasting has been improved with the representation of inter-channel correlations in the observation error model. A further step would be to assimilate these observations in all-sky conditions. However, in cloudy skies, observation errors exhibit much stronger inter-channel correlations, as well as much larger variances, compared to clear-sky conditions. An observation error model is developed to represent these effects, building from the symmetric error models developed for all-sky microwave assimilation. The combination of variational quality control with correlated errors is also introduced. The new error model is tested in all-sky assimilation of seven water vapour sounding channels from the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI). However, its initial formulation degrades both tropospheric and stratospheric analyses. To explain this, the eigendeparture and eigenjacobian are introduced as a way of understanding the effect of correlated observation errors in data assimilation. The trailing eigenvalues can be problematic because they strongly amplify high-order harmonic combinations of the water vapour channels, which could have at least three consequences. First, if there are small inter-channel biases, these can be greatly amplified. Second, the trailing eigenjacobians map onto features resembling gravity waves that the data assimilation may not be able to handle. Finally, these harmonic combinations can amplify trace sensitivities, for example, revealing a strong upper stratospheric sensitivity over high cloud in what are usually mid- to upper-tropospheric water vapour channels. A likely explanation is the sensitivity to gravity wave features that are present in the observations but hard for the data assimilation to handle. After reducing the sensitivity to the trailing eigenjacobians, the new error covariance matrix gives good results in all-sky infrared assimilation.
Obesity is associated with the upregulation of TLR4 protein but not associated with polymorphisms of TLR4D299G TLR4T399I
Authors: Alwakeel Mariam , Galash Afnan O. , Saleh Amina , Alkhanji FadelMooza , Rizk Nasser M. 
Published: June 2019

Title: Obesity is associated with the upregulation of TLR4 protein but not associated with polymorphisms of TLR4D299G TLR4T399I.Background: Toll-like-receptor 4 (TLR4) is a pathogen-specific receptor, expressed in white blood cells, adipocytes, and other metabolic cells. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and free fatty acids (FFA) can act upon TLR4 and activate systematic inflammation that may lead to obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS).Aim: The aim of this research was to investigate the association of TLR4 polymorphisms of TLR4D299G TLR4T399I, with obesity and metabolic syndrome components in young adult female Arab subjects.Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed on female students from Qatar-University. The subjects were classified according to BMI classifications by WHO category into two groups: “obese; n = 69” and “non-obese; n = 136”. Anthropometric measurements included weight (kg), height(m), waist circumference (WC) were assessed, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Several biochemical assays were done to determine glucose and lipid profile. Plasma concentration of Interlukin-10 (IL-10) was measured using ELISA assay. Plasma concentration of IL-6, MCP-1, leptin, and insulin was measured using the multiplex Luminex assay. Also, fresh blood samples were used to measure TLR4 protein expression using flow cytometry assay.Results: TLR4D299G/T399I carriers had no significant association with obesity indicators; body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (%BF), and waist circumference (WC). Haplotype analysisof TLR4 D299G/T399I showed that GT carriers of TLR4 D299G/T399I had a significant association with increased risk of insulin resistance with (odds ratio = 4.73), 95% CI (1.19- 18.90), (P-value = 0.016). Increased level of leptin was associated with obesity phenotype by BMI, WC, and %BF. In addition, up-regulation of TLR4 protein increased significantly in obese subjects by 1.2 fold over the non-obese, with (P-value = 0.006). Conclusions: TLR4 D299G/T399I polymorphism is associated with increased insulin resistance, a core component of metabolic syndromes but not with obesity. In addition, the up-regulation of TLR4 in obese subjects may be related to insulin resistance with increased leptin suggesting that increased free fatty acids may be a possible link to act as a ligand for TLR4.
Efficacy and safety of once daily liraglutideversus twice daily exenatidein type 2diabetic patients in Qatar: an observational study
Authors: Al Adawi Rana Moustafa , Jassim Zainab Malik 
Published: June 2019

Background: Type 2 diabetes prevalence is strongly associated with the increase in obesity prevalence. Many of the current diabetic treatments cause further weight gain. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide & exenatide) offer advantages of either keeping weight stable or even reducing weight while achieving good glycemic control. Objectives: To compare the glycemic effect of liraglutide versus exenatide over 26 and 52 weeks in uncontrolled type 2 diabetic patients.Methods: A retrospective observation study. Patients with type 2 diabetes who took liraglutide (1.8 mg subcutaneous [SC] once daily) or exenatide (10 mcg SC twice daily) for at least 1 year in addition to their anti-diabetic medications were eligible. For each patient, the following data were collected: HbA1C, fasting plasmaglucose, body weight, blood pressure, lipid profile, hypoglycemia episodes, kidney and liver function. Patient's medical records (both electronic and paper-based records) were used to collect required data. Data analyzed using descriptive & inferential analyses. The study was undertaken by ZJaspart of Masterin clinical pharmacy at Queen's University Belfast Results: 212 patients were included in the study (114 in exenatide group and 98 in liraglutide group). There were no significant differences in all of the patients’ demographics and characteristics between the two groups (table1). Around 73% of included patients were female and half them were aged between 50–59 years. There was in significant difference in mean HbA1C change between both medications at either 26 or 52 weeks (p = 0.23 and 0.40, respectively) (Fig. 1). Patients achieved HbA1C ≤ 7% were significantly higher in the liraglutide group at week 26 (Fig. 2). Liraglutide reduced the mean fasting plasma glucose more than exenatide did at week 26 ( − 1.099 vs. − 0.122 mmol/L; p = 0.15) and week 52 ( − 1.150 vs. − 0.616 mmol/L; p = 0.52). Both medication sex habited weight losses at 26 and 52 weeks; liraglutide − 1.24, − 2.54 vs. exenatide − 1.63, − 3.7 kg, respectively (figure 3). Although both medications were associated with some benefits in term so flipidprofile and blood pressure at a certain point, neither of them were able to show a significant change from baseline. No patients in either groups reported any GI side effects or episodes of hypoglycemia. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in regards of liver and kidney functions except serum creatinine elevation in heliraglutide group at 52 weeks (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Exenatide and liraglutide resulted in similar glycemic effects (HbA1C and FPG changes) in patients with type 2 diabetes who were sub-optimally controlled with other anti-diabetic therapy. Weight reduction effectiveness was confirmed for both medications with noreported side effects or hypoglycemic episodes during the treatment perid. Future large scale prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.
Does Weight Loss Through Means of Bariatric Surgery Reduce the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Obese Qatari Patient a Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Hanna Fahad , Mohammed Montaha Ghallab , Saad Rahma Ahmad , Al-hwsali Anwar Abdulkarem , Dalal Manar Mamdoh , Aly El-Sherif Mohamed 
Published: June 2019

Background: The use of bariatric surgeries such as Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy in managing obesity and associated diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been induced in clinical practice. Weight reduction through means of bariatric surgery has metabolic benefits and may improve the management of T2DM. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate if weight loss through bariatric surgery can reduce the risk of T2DM in patients without the onset of T2DM. Study design: A retrospective analysis was conducted on post-bariatric patients at the department of bariatric and metabolic surgery at Hamad General Hospital. Methods: Tow hundred and two eligible pre-diabetic Qatari patients who have undergone bariatric surgery in 2016 and satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study were analyzed. Data on Glucose, Insulin and C-peptides levels at baseline and follow-up were extracted in order to compare the change of these variables at baseline, 6 and 10 months follow up before and after 10 months from the date of surgery. Results: Seventy one males with mean age of 32.73 ± 10.37 and one hundred and thirty one females with mean age of 33.90 ± 9.88 were included in the analysis. Change in weight was strongly and positively associated with change in insulin level (0.701, 95% CI: 0.027, 1.347, p = 0.042) also, as weight changes fasting glucose changes (1.993, 95% CI: 0.359, 3.627, p = 0.017). Follow-up period greater than 6 months was not found to be significantly associated with weight loss (2.049, 95% CI: − 2.249, 6.349, p = 0.313). Conclusion: Our study confirms results from international studies that weight loss through bariatric surgery can reduce the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Qatari obese patients. The results of the study suggest that post-surgery periods can be detrimental to the fate of fasting glucose and insulin levels and therefore compliance maybe of great importance to ensure success and sustainability of weight loss and diabetes prevention. Larger samples size and longer follow-up period is required to confirm these findings.
Hypoglycemic and Cardioprotective Effects of Methanol Extracts of Gymnema Sylvestre Plant and Annona Senegalensis Carpels Used in the Folkloric Treatment of Diabetes
Authors: Muhammad Hadiza Lami 
Published: June 2019

The epidemic of diabetes has major health and socioeconomic impacts especially in developing countries, and subjects with diabetes have increased risk of disease affecting the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. Whole Gymnema sylvestre plant and Annona senegalensis carpels are used in the folkloric treatment of diabetes mellitus and the management of its attendant complications. Diabetes was induced in Swiss albino rats by single intraperitoneal administration of 11 mg/kg bodyweight of alloxan monohydrate and rats with blood glucose ≥ 206 mg/dl were considered diabetic. Rats in their respective groups were orally administered 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg bodyweight of extracts of either Annona senegalensis carpels or Gymnema sylvestre daily for fourteen days while the standard drug group received 100 mg/kg bodyweight of metformin for the same period. The normoglycaemic (positive control) and the diabetic untreated (negative control) groups received 0.5 ml normal saline. The animals were euthanized on the 15th day and blood samples were collected by carotid puncture for biochemical analysis. The 600 mg/kg bodyweight dose of Gymnema sylvestre and 300 mg/kg bodyweight dose of Annona senegalensis carpels respectively reduced the blood glucose of diabetic rats by 76.45 % and 72.01 %. All treatment groups of Gymnema sylvestre gave urea and creatinine values that showed no significance differences (p&gt;0.05) with the normoglycemic (positive control) group while urea and potassium ion (K+) concentrations at 600 mg/kg bodyweight of Annona senegalensis carpels extract reduced significantly as the blood glucose progressively declined. Chloride ion (Cl− ) concentrations in the treatment groups for both extracts did not differ from the normoglycemic (control) group, while there was a reduction in the concentrations of potassium ion (K− ) of 100 and 300 mg/kg bodyweight treated groups of Gymnema sylvestre extract. There was also a reduction in the concentration of sodium in all treated groups when compared with the normoglycemic group. The concentrations of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein also reduced regressively as the treatment days progressed and a concomitant increase in the values of high density lipoprotein in all treated groups for both extracts when compared with diabetic untreated (negative control). The crude methanol extracts of Gymnema sylvestre and Annona senegalensis carpels were able to lower the blood glucose of diabetic rats and ameliorate the attendant hyperlipidemic effect associated with diabetes.
Efecto filtrador del pepino de mar sobre la materia orgánica en cultivos de tilapia gris
Authors: Hernández Rivera Carmen Isabel , Cea Navas Noelia Erlinda , Pacheco Interiano Alixon Enrique , Reyes Guido Hermes Ramón 
Published: July 2019

La acuicultura puede ser delimitada como una acción o rubro mercantil alternativo, en cuanto a la crianza de recursos hidrobiológicos, denominados de igual manera como peces, crustáceos, moluscos y vegetación acuática, en ambientes totalmente discordantes en relación a los naturales, en donde las variables físicas y químicas pueden ser relativamente controlables, con el objetivo de sustituir y perfeccionar las condiciones mediante las cuales estos organismos puedan satisfacer sus necesidades como si estuvieran en ambientes particularmente normales. La acuicultura a nivel mundial figura como una de las actividades con mayor utilización de los recursos hídricos en el cual se debe apostar por la implementación de sistemas que supongan un ahorro de agua. Este estudio fue realizado en las instalaciones del Laboratorio de Investigaciones Marinas y Acuícolas (LIMA) de la UNAN-León, con la intención de comparar dos diferentes sistemas de cultivo (Monocultivo y Policultivo), que permitieran evaluar la capacidad de filtración del pepino de mar (Isostichopus fuscus) sobre la materia orgánica producida en cultivos de tilapia gris (Oreochromis sp), obteniendo como resultados de la investigación 453.0 mg/L02 de materia orgánica, 0.32 mg/Lt de materia en suspensión, 6.29 mgNH3-N/L (Nitrógeno Amoniacal), 43.35 mg N02 -IL (Nitrito) y 18.4 mg N03/L (Nitrato) para el sistema de policultivo; por otro lado se obtuvieron datos de 512 mg/L02 de materia orgánica, 4.48 mg/Lt de materia en suspensión, 17.02 mgNH3-N/L, 26.90 mg N02 -IL, 33.87 mg NO3/L para el sistema de monocultivo, denotando así la efectividad del pepino de mar (Isostichopus fuscus) sobre el objeto de estudio
Politie en rechtstatelijke waarden: opvattingen van politieleiders
Authors: van Duijneveldt Ivo 
Published: July 2019

Police and rule of law. Opinions of police leaders
Since the 1970s social integration of the police has been considered as a key element of the Dutch police. It can be understood as a strategy to realise police legitimacy. This article adresses the question whether the Dutch police still strive for police legitimacy via social integration. The article is based on a series of interviews with present and former strategic leaders of the Dutch police. The study shows how asking about police legitimacy and social integration of the police leads to more fundamental considerations about the role of the police in democratic society and about democratic values and the rule of law (‘Rechtsstaat’). The article concludes that police leaders emphasize the importance of civic liberties (freedom of speech, right to demonstrate) and equal rights. Police leaders consider the role of the police to reinforce and protect these values. In their opinion, this requires the police to be deeply rooted in society.
Un instrument pour apprendre autrement : témoignages d’élèves « raccrochés » et « accrochés » par une option cinéma
Authors: Numa-Bocage Line , Weil Sandrine 
Published: July 2019

Cet article examine le décrochage du lycée en France selon une perspective psychopédagogique s’appuyant sur la parole de l’élève. À partir d’une réflexion sur les instruments dans l’éducation et l’utilisation du cinéma dans la prévention du décrochage au lycée, nous analysons en quoi les conditions d’organisation d’une option cinéma constituent un élément pour le raccrochage. Nous proposons une méthodologie croisée pour l’analyse de contenu d’interviews d’élèves permettant de proposer un renversement du paradigme de la prévention du décrochage, et où la parole de l’élève aurait toute sa place pour favoriser l’accrochage scolaire. Les enregistrements vidéographiques d’interviews de 20 élèves de seconde (première année de lycée) et de première (seconde année de lycée) (potentiels décrocheurs ou non), réalisés par eux-mêmes, constituent notre corpus. Les lycéens manifestent tous le besoin d’un enseignement libre et différent de l’enseignement traditionnel, au-delà de l’intérêt instrumental de l’option cinéma. Une distinction entre les élèves de seconde et ceux de première apparaît. La qualité de la relation professeur-élèves est un élément déterminant pour l’accrochage, le raccrochage et la persévérance scolaires, mais nécessite que l’enseignant soit formé à l’écoute des élèves et apte à percevoir celui-ci, surtout dans une perspective d’école et de société inclusives.
Dynamiques foncières, ethnocratie et défi de l’intégration ethnoculturelle au Cameroun
Authors: Balla Ndegue Séraphin Guy 
Published: July 2019

Cet article traite, en contexte camerounais, de la marchandisation et des expropriations foncières qui paupérisent les populations autochtones et génèrent des conflits. Ce capitalisme agraire, facilité par la gabegie administrative et judiciaire, profite à la minorité riche constituée des cadres de diverses institutions étatiques et privées et des gens d’affaires. Ces personnes acquièrent généralement les terres en violant les dispositions légales en la matière. Mais il y a aussi des acquéreurs de bonne foi dont les titres de propriété sont contestés par des familles qui ne se reconnaissent plus dans les conditions de vente préalablement consenties pour une diversité de raisons. Cette situation est aujourd’hui l’une des principales sources de confrontations intrafamiliales et entre « les gens d’ici, les autochtones » et les acquéreurs, parfois qualifiés « d’étrangers » et « d’envahisseurs ». Les enjeux fonciers donnent lieu à de la xénophobie et à des replis ethnorégionaux avec comme argument les questions d’autochtonie et de minorité. Les grandes villes, à l’instar de Yaoundé, sont très représentatives de ces problèmes qui sont également liés à la répartition inégale des richesses et à la polarisation ethnique dans la gouvernance étatique.
Les conseils communautaires de développement (COCODE)
Authors: Simon Saskia 
Published: July 2019

Les Accords de paix de 1996 et la structure institutionnelle décentralisée promue par le paradigme néolibéral dans lequel ils s’inscrivent ont suscité beaucoup d’espoir au sein de la société civile guatémaltèque et internationale. Toutefois, à partir de l’examen du fonctionnement du COCODE (Conseil communautaire de développement) dans une communauté rurale du nord-est du Guatemala, je voudrais ici démontrer l’échec que constitue en certains lieux l’application indifférenciée du principe de décentralisation. Échouant à prendre en compte les trajectoires politiques des acteurs destinés à prendre en charge les institutions décentralisées, de même que l’héritage profond de la guerre et de la culture clandestine et d’impunité qui s’est modelée au cours des années de régimes militaires, la mise en pratique de ce principe dans cette région nord-orientale est passée à côté de son objectif annoncé. En m’appuyant sur une enquête ethnographique menée entre 2011 et 2013, je montrerai ainsi en quoi la décentralisation constitue une « démocratisation inachevée ».
Mathematical Model of the Transmission Dynamics of Lassa Fever with Separation of Infected Individual and Treatment as Control Measures
Authors: Nwasuka S. C. , Nwachukwu I. J. , Nwachukwu P. C. 
Published: July 2019

A non–linear deterministic mathematical model is formulated and analysed to study the controllability of lassa fever incorporating separation of infected individuals and treatment measures. The model assumes that humans susceptible acquired the Infection via interaction with the infected rodent populations at a constant rate and also the model assumes that treatment is only given to separated human population. The existence, uniqueness and positivity of the model’s solution have been carried out and the results shows that the solution exist and is unique. Again, the disease – free equilibrium state was obtained and analysed. We obtained an important threshold parameter called the effective reproduction number using the next generation method. If Reff < 1 the disease-free equilibrium exists and is locally and globally asymptotically stable, implying that Lassa fever can be controlled and eradicated within the population in a finite time and if the , the disease invade and become endemic in the population.
Prediction of clinical effects of infliximab administered for inflammatory bowel disease based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling
Authors: Kimura Koji , Yoshida Atsushi , Katagiri Fumihiko , Takayanagi Risa , Yamada Yasuhiko 
Published: June 2019

AbstractInfliximab (IFX) is used as a therapeutic agent for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Although the dosage regimen has been established through clinical trial experience, it has yet to be assessed with a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic model. The present study analysed sequential changes of clinical response in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease following repeated administrations of infliximab using the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model. In addition, the dosage regimen presently used for patients with ulcerative colitis was evaluated, as well as the potential efficacy gained by increasing the dose and/or reducing the interval of administration for patients with Crohn's disease. Furthermore, the possibility of evaluating the difference between both diseases with regard to the efficacy of infliximab was investigated. Sequential changes in the clinical response values obtained with our model were in good agreement with the observed values following administration of infliximab in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The results showed the importance of a loading dose for patients with ulcerative colitis, as well as the efficacy of increasing the dose and reducing the interval for patients with Crohn's disease. Also, the efficacy of infliximab for both diseases is suggested to be similar. In conclusion, our results show a possible modeling scenario that can accommodate the clinical response to infliximab administered for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Furthermore, it provides confirmation for the present dosage regimens given for these diseases.
LC–MS/MS method with chemical derivatization for quantitation of L‐threonate in human plasma
Authors: Zhang Qibo , Adam Klaus‐Peter 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAn LC–MS/MS‐based bioanalytical method has been developed to measure the concentration of L‐threonate at its endogenous level in human plasma. Following isotope dilution and protein precipitation, the samples were acetylated and chromatographed under reversed‐phase conditions for baseline separation of the derivatized L‐threonate and its stereoisomer D‐erythronate. The method was assessed by a fit‐for‐purpose validation with a calibration range from 100 to 10,000 ng/mL. The intra‐run coefficients of variation (CVs) were <3.6% and the inter‐run CV was 3.2% for the QC samples at endogenous level. At the lower limit of quantitation, the intra‐run CV was 6.1% and the average inaccuracy was −1.4%. This method provides an efficient and reliable quantitation of L‐threonate and could be useful to certain biomarker investigators.