What do you think this is? "Conceptual uncertainty" in geoscience interpretation

Interpretations of seismic images are used to analyze sub-surface geology and form the basis for many exploration and extraction decisions, but the uncertainty that arises from human bias in seismic data interpretation has not previously been quantified. All geological data sets are spatially limited and have limited resolution. Geoscientists who interpret such data sets must, therefore, rely upon their previous experience and apply a limited set of geological concepts. We have documented the range of interpretations to a single data set, and in doing so have quantified the �conceptual uncertainty� inherent in seismic interpretation. In this experiment, 412 interpretations of a synthetic seismic image were analyzed. Only 21% of the participants interpreted the �correct� tectonic setting of the original model, and only 23% highlighted the three main fault strands in the image. These results illustrate that conceptual uncertainty exists, which in turn explains the large range of interpretations that can result from a single data set. We consider the role of prior knowledge in biasing individuals in their interpretation of the synthetic seismic section, and our results demonstrate that conceptual uncertainty has a critical influence on resource exploration and other areas of geoscience. Practices should be developed to minimize the effects of conceptual uncertainty, and it should be accounted for in risk analysis

Applications of serum albumins in delivery systems: Differences in interfacial behaviour and interacting abilities with polysaccharides

One of the major applications of SerumAlbumins is their use as delivery systems for lipophilic compounds in biomedicine. Their biomedical application is based on the similarity with Human Serum Albumin (HSA), as a fully biocompatible protein. In general, Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) is treated as comparable to its human homologue and used as a model protein for fundamental studies since it is available in high amounts and well understood. This protein can act as a carrier for lipophilic compounds or as protective shell in an emulsion-based vehicle. Polysaccharides are generally included in these formulations in order to increase the stability and/or applicability of the carrier. In this review, themain biomedical applications of Albumins as drug delivery systems are first presented. Secondly, the differences between BSA andHSA are highlighted, exploring the similarities and differences between these proteins and their interaction with polysaccharides, both in solution and adsorbed at interfaces. Finally, the use of Albumins as emulsifiers for emulsion-based delivery systems, concretely as Liquid Lipid Nanocapsules (LLNs), is revised and discussed in terms of the differences encountered in the molecular structure and in the interfacial properties. The specific case of Hyaluronic Acid is considered as a promising additivewith important applications in biomedicine. The literatureworks are thoroughly discussed highlighting similarities and differences between BSA and HSA and their interaction with polysaccharides encountered at different structural levels, hence providing routes to control the optimal design of delivery systems.This work has been funded by the following projects, which are gratefully acknowledged: MAT2017-82182-R and RTI2018-101309-BC21 (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación). The authors also acknowledge “Mancomunidad de los Pueblos de la Alpujarra Granadina” for the funds raised and supplied for this research

Development of a dynamic energy-partitioning model for enteric methane emissions and milk production in goats using energy balance data from indirect calorimetry studies

[EN] The main objective of this study was to develop a dynamic energy balance model for dairy goats to describe and quantify energy partitioning between energy used for work (milk) and that lost to the environment. Increasing worldwide concerns regarding livestock contribution to global warming underscore the importance of improving energy efficiency utilization in dairy goats by reducing energy losses in feces, urine and methane (CH4). A dynamic model of CH(4)emissions from experimental energy balance data in goats is proposed and parameterized (n= 48 individual animal observations). The model includes DM intake, NDF and lipid content of the diet as explanatory variables for CH(4)emissions. An additional data set (n= 122 individual animals) from eight energy balance experiments was used to evaluate the model. The model adequately (root MS prediction error,RMSPE) represented energy in milk (E-milk;RMSPE = 5.6%), heat production (HP;RMSPE = 4.3%) and CH(4)emissions (E-CH4; RMSPE = 11.9%). Residual analysis indicated that most of the prediction errors were due to unexplained variations with small mean and slope bias. Some mean bias was detected for HP (1.12%) and E-CH4(1.27%) but was around zero for E-milk (0.14%). The slope bias was zero for HP (0.01%) and close to zero for E-milk (0.10%) and E-CH4(0.22%). Random bias was >98% for E-CH4, HP and E-milk, indicating non-systematic errors and that mechanisms in the model are properly represented. As predicted energy increased, the model tended to underpredict E-CH(4)and E-milk. The model is a first step toward a mechanistic description of nutrient use by goats and is useful as a research tool for investigating energy partitioning during lactation. The model described in this study could be used as a tool for making enteric CH(4)emission inventories for goats.This study was supported by LOW CARBON FEED Project reference LIFE2016/CCM/ES/000088.Fernández Martínez, CJ.; Hernando, I.; Moreno-Latorre, E.; Loor, J. (2020). Development of a dynamic energy-partitioning model for enteric methane emissions and milk production in goats using energy balance data from indirect calorimetry studies. Animal. 14:s382-s395. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731120001470Ss382s39514Agricultural and Food Research Council (AFRC) 1997. The nutrition of goats. Nutrition Abstract and Reviews (Series B) 67, 776–861.Aguilera, J. F., Prieto, C., & FonollÁ, J. (1990). Protein and energy metabolism of lactating Granadina goats. British Journal of Nutrition, 63(2), 165-175. doi:10.1079/bjn19900104Bannink, A., France, J., Lopez, S., Gerrits, W. J. J., Kebreab, E., Tamminga, S., & Dijkstra, J. (2008). Modelling the implications of feeding strategy on rumen fermentation and functioning of the rumen wall. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 143(1-4), 3-26. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2007.05.002Bava, L., Rapetti, L., Crovetto, G. M., Tamburini, A., Sandrucci, A., Galassi, G., & Succi, G. (2001). Effects of a Nonforage Diet on Milk Production, Energy, and Nitrogen Metabolism in Dairy Goats throughout Lactation. Journal of Dairy Science, 84(11), 2450-2459. doi:10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(01)74695-4Beauchemin K, McAllister T and McGinn S 2009. Dietary mitigation of enteric CH4 from cattle. CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources 4, 035.Blaxter, K. L., & Clapperton, J. L. (1965). Prediction of the amount of methane produced by ruminants. British Journal of Nutrition, 19(1), 511-522. doi:10.1079/bjn19650046Brouwer E 1965. Report of sub-committee on constants and factors. In Proceeding of the 3th EAAP Symposium on Energy Metabolism (ed. KL Blaxter ), pp. 441–443. Academic Press, London, UK.Criscioni, P., Marti, J. V., Pérez-Baena, I., Palomares, J. L., Larsen, T., & Fernández, C. (2016). Replacement of alfalfa hay ( Medicago sativa ) with maralfalfa hay ( Pennisetum sp.) in diets of lactating dairy goats. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 219, 1-12. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2016.05.020Ellis, J. L., Kebreab, E., Odongo, N. E., McBride, B. W., Okine, E. K., & France, J. (2007). Prediction of Methane Production from Dairy and Beef Cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 90(7), 3456-3466. doi:10.3168/jds.2006-675Statistical data base Food and Agriculture Organization (FAOSTAT) 2018. FAO Statistical data base Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. Retrieved on 25 June 2018 from http://faostat.fao.org/FERNÁNDEZ, C., LÓPEZ, M. C., & LACHICA, M. (2015). Low-cost mobile open-circuit hood system for measuring gas exchange in small ruminants: from manual to automatic recording. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 153(7), 1302-1309. doi:10.1017/s0021859615000416Fernández, C., Martí, J. V., Pérez-Baena, I., Palomares, J. L., Ibáñez, C., & Segarra, J. V. (2018). Effect of lemon leaves on energy and C–N balances, methane emission, and milk performance in Murciano-Granadina dairy goats. Journal of Animal Science, 96(4), 1508-1518. doi:10.1093/jas/sky028Fernández, C. (2018). Dynamic model development of enteric methane emission from goats based on energy balance measured in indirect open circuit respiration calorimeter. Global Ecology and Conservation, 15, e00439. doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2018.e00439Fernández, C., Pérez-Baena, I., Marti, J. V., Palomares, J. L., Jorro-Ripoll, J., & Segarra, J. V. (2019). Use of orange leaves as a replacement for alfalfa in energy and nitrogen partitioning, methane emissions and milk performance of murciano-granadina goats. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 247, 103-111. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2018.11.008Fernández, C., Gomis-Tena, J., Hernández, A., & Saiz, J. (2019). An Open-Circuit Indirect Calorimetry Head Hood System for Measuring Methane Emission and Energy Metabolism in Small Ruminants. Animals, 9(6), 380. doi:10.3390/ani9060380Grainger, C., & Beauchemin, K. A. (2011). Can enteric methane emissions from ruminants be lowered without lowering their production? Animal Feed Science and Technology, 166-167, 308-320. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2011.04.021Howarth, R. (2015). Methane emissions and climatic warming risk from hydraulic fracturing and shale gas development: implications for policy. Energy and Emission Control Technologies, 45. doi:10.2147/eect.s61539Hristov, A. N., Kebreab, E., Niu, M., Oh, J., Bannink, A., Bayat, A. R., … Yu, Z. (2018). Symposium review: Uncertainties in enteric methane inventories, measurement techniques, and prediction models. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(7), 6655-6674. doi:10.3168/jds.2017-13536Ibáñez, C., López, M. C., Criscioni, P., & Fernández, C. (2015). Effect of replacing dietary corn with beet pulp on energy partitioning, substrate oxidation and methane production in lactating dairy goats. Animal Production Science, 55(1), 56. doi:10.1071/an13119Institute Nationale Recherche Agronomique (INRA) 2017. Feeding system for ruminants. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen, the Netherlands.Jørgensen, S. E. (2015). New method to calculate the work energy of information and organisms. Ecological Modelling, 295, 18-20. doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2014.09.001Kebreab, E., Johnson, K. A., Archibeque, S. L., Pape, D., & Wirth, T. (2008). Model for estimating enteric methane emissions from United States dairy and feedlot cattle1. Journal of Animal Science, 86(10), 2738-2748. doi:10.2527/jas.2008-0960Knapp, J. R., Laur, G. L., Vadas, P. A., Weiss, W. P., & Tricarico, J. M. (2014). Invited review: Enteric methane in dairy cattle production: Quantifying the opportunities and impact of reducing emissions. Journal of Dairy Science, 97(6), 3231-3261. doi:10.3168/jds.2013-7234Lin, L. I.-K. (1989). A Concordance Correlation Coefficient to Evaluate Reproducibility. Biometrics, 45(1), 255. doi:10.2307/2532051López, M. C., Estellés, F., Moya, V. J., & Fernández, C. (2014). Use of dry citrus pulp or soybean hulls as a replacement for corn grain in energy and nitrogen partitioning, methane emissions, and milk performance in lactating Murciano-Granadina goats. Journal of Dairy Science, 97(12), 7821-7832. doi:10.3168/jds.2014-8424López, M. C., & Fernández, C. (2013). Energy partitioning and substrate oxidation by Murciano-Granadina goats during mid lactation fed soy hulls and corn gluten feed blend as a replacement for corn grain. Journal of Dairy Science, 96(7), 4542-4552. doi:10.3168/jds.2012-6473Martí JV, Pérez-Baena I and Fernández C 2012. Replacement of barley grain with lemon pulp on energy partitioning in lactating goats. Unpublished.Merino, P., Ramirez-Fanlo, E., Arriaga, H., del Hierro, O., Artetxe, A., & Viguria, M. (2011). Regional inventory of methane and nitrous oxide emission from ruminant livestock in the Basque Country. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 166-167, 628-640. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2011.04.081Mills, J. A. N., Kebreab, E., Yates, C. M., Crompton, L. A., Cammell, S. B., Dhanoa, M. S., … France, J. (2003). Alternative approaches to predicting methane emissions from dairy cows1. Journal of Animal Science, 81(12), 3141-3150. doi:10.2527/2003.81123141xMoorby, J. M., Fleming, H. R., Theobald, V. J., & Fraser, M. D. (2015). Can live weight be used as a proxy for enteric methane emissions from pasture-fed sheep? Scientific Reports, 5(1). doi:10.1038/srep17915Niu, M., Kebreab, E., Hristov, A. N., Oh, J., Arndt, C., Bannink, A., … Yu, Z. (2018). Prediction of enteric methane production, yield, and intensity in dairy cattle using an intercontinental database. Global Change Biology, 24(8), 3368-3389. doi:10.1111/gcb.14094Patra, A. K., & Lalhriatpuii, M. (2016). Development of statistical models for prediction of enteric methane emission from goats using nutrient composition and intake variables. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 215, 89-99. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2015.09.018Pérez-Baena I, Martí JV and Fernández C 2012. Effect of replace barley grain with beet pulp in lactating goats diet; energy balance and milk performance. Unpublished.R Core Team 2016. R: A language and environment for statistical computing. Version 1.1.447. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. Retrieved from https://www.R-project.org/Ramin, M., & Huhtanen, P. (2013). Development of equations for predicting methane emissions from ruminants. Journal of Dairy Science, 96(4), 2476-2493. doi:10.3168/jds.2012-6095Tovar-Luna, I., Puchala, R., Sahlu, T., Freetly, H. C., & Goetsch, A. L. (2010). Effects of stage of lactation and dietary concentrate level on energy utilization by Alpine dairy goats. Journal of Dairy Science, 93(10), 4818-4828. doi:10.3168/jds.2010-3315United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 2015. UN Climate Change Newsroom. Historic Paris agreement on climate change. 195 nations set path to keep temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius. Retrieved on 1 July 2018 from http://newsroom.unfccc.int/unfccc-newsroom/finale-cop21/Yan, T., Porter, M. G., & Mayne, C. S. (2009). Prediction of methane emission from beef cattle using data measured in indirect open-circuit respiration calorimeters. Animal, 3(10), 1455-1462. doi:10.1017/s175173110900473

The Bostrichidae of the Maltese Islands (Coleoptera)

The Bostrichidae of the Maltese Islands are reviewed. Ten species are recorded with certainty from this Archipelago, of which 6 namely, Trogoxylon impressum (Comolli, 1837), Amphicerus bimaculatus (A.G. Olivier, 1790), Heterobostrychus aequalis (Waterhouse, 1884), Sinoxylon unidentatum (Fabricius, 1801), Xyloperthella picea (A.G. Olivier, 1790) and Apate monachus Fabricius, 1775 are recorded for the first time. Two of the mentioned species (H. aequalis and S. unidentatum) are alien and recorded only on the basis of single captures and the possible establishment of these species is discussed. Earlier records of Scobicia pustulata (Fabricius, 1801) from Malta are incorrect and should be attributed to S. chevrieri (A. Villa & J.B. Villa, 1835). A zoogeographical analysis and an updated checklist of the 12 species of Bostrichidae recorded from the Maltese Islands and neighbouring Sicilian islands (Pantelleria, Linosa and Lampedusa) are also provided. Rhizopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792) form granulipennis Lesne in Beeson & Bhatia, 1937 from Uttarakhand (northern India) was overlooked by almost all subsequent authors. Its history is summarized and the following new synonymy is established: Rhizopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792) form granulipennis Lesne in Beeson & Bhatia, 1937 = Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792), syn. n. Finally, records of Amphicerus bimaculatus from Azerbaijan, of Bostrichus capucinus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Jordan and Syria, of Scobicia chevrieri from Jordan and Italy, of Xyloperthella picea from Italy, and of Apate monachus from Corsica (France) and Italy, are also provided.peer-reviewe

Localization of recombination proteins and Srs2 reveals anti-recombinase function in vivo

Homologous recombination (HR), although an important DNA repair mechanism, is dangerous to the cell if improperly regulated. The Srs2 “anti-recombinase” restricts HR by disassembling the Rad51 nucleoprotein filament, an intermediate preceding the exchange of homologous DNA strands. Here, we cytologically characterize Srs2 function in vivo and describe a novel mechanism for regulating the initiation of HR. We find that Srs2 is recruited separately to replication and repair centers and identify the genetic requirements for recruitment. In the absence of Srs2 activity, Rad51 foci accumulate, and surprisingly, can form in the absence of Rad52 mediation. However, these Rad51 foci do not represent repair-proficient filaments, as determined by recombination assays. Antagonistic roles for Rad52 and Srs2 in Rad51 filament formation are also observed in vitro. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Srs2 removes Rad51 indiscriminately from DNA, while the Rad52 protein coordinates appropriate filament reformation. This constant breakdown and rebuilding of filaments may act as a stringent quality control mechanism during HR

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Loss of the sphingolipid desaturase DEGS1 causes hypomyelinating leukodystrophy.

Sphingolipid imbalance is the culprit in a variety of neurological diseases, some affecting the myelin sheath. We have used whole-exome sequencing in patients with undetermined leukoencephalopathies to uncover the endoplasmic reticulum lipid desaturase DEGS1 as the causative gene in 19 patients from 13 unrelated families. Shared features among the cases include severe motor arrest, early nystagmus, dystonia, spasticity, and profound failure to thrive. MRI showed hypomyelination, thinning of the corpus callosum, and progressive thalamic and cerebellar atrophy, suggesting a critical role of DEGS1 in myelin development and maintenance. This enzyme converts dihydroceramide (DhCer) into ceramide (Cer) in the final step of the de novo biosynthesis pathway. We detected a marked increase of the substrate DhCer and DhCer/Cer ratios in patients' fibroblasts and muscle. Further, we used a knockdown approach for disease modeling in Danio rerio, followed by a preclinical test with the first-line treatment for multiple sclerosis, fingolimod (FTY720, Gilenya). The enzymatic inhibition of Cer synthase by fingolimod, 1 step prior to DEGS1 in the pathway, reduced the critical DhCer/Cer imbalance and the severe locomotor disability, increasing the number of myelinating oligodendrocytes in a zebrafish model. These proof-of-concept results pave the way to clinical translation

Road safety evaluation through automatic extraction of road horizontal alignments from Mobile LiDAR System and inductive reasoning based on a decision tree

13 p.Safe roads are a necessity for any society because of the high social costs of traffic accidents. This challenge is addressed by a novel methodology that allows us to evaluate road safety from Mobile LiDAR System data, taking advantage of the road alignment due to its influence on the accident rate. Automation is obtained through an inductive reasoning process based on a decision tree that provides a potential risk assessment. To achieve this, a 3D point cloud is classified by an iterative and incremental algorithm based on a 2.5D and 3D Delaunay triangulation, which apply different algorithms sequentially. Next, an automatic extraction process of road horizontal alignment parameters is developed to obtain geometric consistency indexes, based on a joint triple stability criterion. Likewise, this work aims to provide a powerful and effective preventive and/or predictive tool for road safety inspections. The proposed methodology was implemented on three stretches of Spanish roads, each with different traffic conditions that represent the most common road types. The developed methodology was successfully validated through as-built road projects, which were considered as “ground truth.”S