Large-scale diversity estimation through surname origin inference

The study of surnames as both linguistic and geographical markers of the past has proven valuable in several research fields spanning from biology and genetics to demography and social mobility. This article builds upon the existing literature to conceive and develop a surname origin classifier based on a data-driven typology. This enables us to explore a methodology to describe large-scale estimates of the relative diversity of social groups, especially when such data is scarcely available. We subsequently analyze the representativeness of surname origins for 15 socio-professional groups in France

IL-6-induced anaemia in rats:Possible pathogenetic implications for anaemia observed in chronic inflammations

Anaemia of chronic disease (ACD) is frequently found in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the pathogenesis of ACD both cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-1 and IL-6 as well as a relative deficiency of erythropoietin (EPO), are thought to play a key role. In the present study the role of IL-6 in the pathogenesis of this anaemia was investigated. IL-6 was administered intraperitoneally to rats for 14 sequential days. It appeared that IL-6 was able to induce anaemia. No evidence for suppression of bone marrow erythropoiesis or enhanced sequestration of erythrocytes in the liver was found. However, decreased plasma and bone marrow iron contents were observed in anaemic rats. Blood loss in intestinal tissue was demonstrated using erythrocyte labelling with 99mtechnetium. Histologically this was associated with inflammatory cell infiltration, oedema and bleeding in the intestinal wall. In conclusion, IL-6 induced anaemia in rats. This anaemia was caused by intestinal blood loss.</p

ESM-SnowMIP: Assessing snow models and quantifying snow-related climate feedbacks

This paper describes ESM-SnowMIP, an international coordinated modelling effort to evaluate current snow schemes, including snow schemes that are included in Earth system models, in a wide variety of settings against local and global observations. The project aims to identify crucial processes and characteristics that need to be improved in snow models in the context of local- and global-scale modelling. A further objective of ESM-SnowMIP is to better quantify snow-related feedbacks in the Earth system. Although it is not part of the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), ESM-SnowMIP is tightly linked to the CMIP6-endorsed Land Surface, Snow and Soil Moisture Model Intercomparison (LS3MIP)

Challenges and solutions from certification testing and their implications for the practical implementation of ballast water management

2007-2012<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"times="" roman";="" mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="" lang="EN-GB">The existing guideline G8 of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is a generic document that has been compiled based on expert knowledge. Since its first release in 2005, and the revision in 2008, it has proved to be a workable document. However, practical experience gained from certification testing has shown a number of short-comings. Some of these have been addressed and amended in later regulations while other issues are still unresolved. In this paper the topic is addressed from the point of view of a test facility. Common challenges faced by test facilities and possible solutions thereof are presented in the context of practical application of ballast water management systems on board of ships. The relevance and meaning of taxonomy, organism numbers, temperature, salinity and sediment load, are discussed. Lessons learned from the past 7 years of land-based testing and their relevance for future shipboard operation and compliance control are evaluated. </span

Comparison of two methods (left carotid artery and abdominal aorta) for surgical implantation of radiotelemetry devices in CD-1 mice

The goal of this study was to compare two surgical methods, the left carotid (LC) and the abdominal aorta (AA), for mouse instrumentation with telemetry devices, to determine the best method for measuring cardiovascular (CV) parameters by radiotelemetry in freely moving mice. Surgery success rate, postsurgical recovery rate, clinical parameters, CV data (baseline and response to nicotine) and circadian rhythm measurements were compared between these techniques. Brains of LC-implanted mice were evaluated for potential ischaemia by direct observation of the Circle of Willis anatomy and histopathology. For this purpose, a total of 31 CD-1 male mice were instrumented with PA C20 devices (10 with LC and 21 with AA). Mortality, morbidity, physical examination, body weight (BW), water and food consumption (W/FC), mean blood pressure (MBP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored daily during the recovery period (10 days). CV baseline data were recorded continuously during two periods of four days, and finally, both LC- and AA-implanted mice received an acute subcutaneous administration of 1 mg/kg nicotine; BP and HR were recorded during 5 h after nicotine administration. Results showed that, in LC-implanted mice, 80% survived surgery and recovered well. In contrast, only 57% of mice implanted with the AA technique survived surgery and some presented lethal complications. Both techniques had similar recovery times for BW and W/FC, comparable return to normal circadian rhythm (day 6 post-surgery) and similar CV baseline values. No significant differences were observed in CV response to nicotine between both groups of implanted CD-I mice. No histopathological changes suggestive of ischaemia were noted in the brain of mice implanted in the LC. Six out of the eight LC-implanted mice remained in good health and had good pressure signal for at least 100 days post-surgery, while most of the AA-implanted mice lost the signal pressure within 14-49 days post-surgery. In conclusion, we believe that LC implantation in mice is superior to the AA technique and is more appropriate for long-term telemetry studies, especially for smaller (transgenic) animals

Characteristics associated with the risk of psychosis among immigrants and their descendants in France

International audienceObjective: To explore the sociodemographic characteristics that might explain the increased incidence of psychosis among immigrants and their descendants in France.Methods: Data were collected for all subjects with first contact for psychosis aged between 18 and 64 years, in two catchment areas in the Paris region. Incidence rates (IR) and incidence rate ratios (IRR) were adjusted for gender and age.Results: During 805,396 persons‐year at risk, we identified 321 cases of first‐episode psychosis, of which 129 were immigrants and 78 descendants of immigrants. We found that the geographic origin was associated with the risk of psychosis although generation has little impact. Sub‐Saharan African immigrants and their descendants showed the highest risk (IRR = 3.1 and IRR = 2.9, respectively). We observed that living in deprived areas increased the incidence of psychosis (IRR = 1.3, 95CI%: 1.0–1.6), particularly among immigrants (IRR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1–2.5). Finally, our study showed that subjects having unstable housing (a proxy for “hard to count population”) could inflate the incidence rates among immigrants.Conclusion: The current study shows that the increased risk of psychosis in groups with an immigration background in France is associated with their origin and highlights the importance of socioeconomic factors in modulating this risk