bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building Local Governance: Participation and Elite Capture in Slum‐upgrading in Kenya
Authors: Rigon Andrea
Published: January 2014

Community and democratic participation are still an essential component of current mainstream development interventions. However, elite capture seriously undermines the outcomes of development projects. This article analyses the effects on (in)equality of the implementation of policies that are technically participatory, in the context of an internationally‐funded urban development programme in Nairobi, which was implemented in the aftermath of the post‐election violence of 2007–2008. Ethnographic data reveal how the institutionalization of pre‐existing power imbalances between landlords and tenants is accomplished through the creation of structures of community governance and ‘participatory enumeration’. The article concludes that without the resources to challenge powerful interests within the settlement, the programme is likely to worsen the condition of a large section of the residents. In the context of strong pre‐existing inequalities and conflict, participation needs careful management and firm external agency to achieve genuine social transformation.
Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided endoluminal drainage of the gallbladder
Authors: Widmer Jessica , Singhal Shashideep , Gaidhane Monica , Kahaleh Michel
Published: January 2014

For patients with acute cholecystitis who are not suitable for surgery, endoscopic ultrasound‐guided endoluminal drainage of the gallbladder (EUS‐GBD) has been developed to overcome the limitations of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage when endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage is not feasible. In the present review we have summarized the studies describing EUS‐GBD. Indications, techniques, accessories, endoprostheses, limitations and complications reported in the different studies are discussed. There were 90 documented cases in the literature. The overall reported technical success rate was 87/90 (96.7%). All patients with technical success were clinically successful. A total of 11/90 (12.2%) patients had complications including pneumoperitoneum, bile peritonitis and stent migration. The advantage of EUS‐GBD is its ability to provide gallbladder drainage especially in situations where percutaneous or transpapillary drainage is not feasible or is technically challenging. It also provides the option of internal drainage and the ability to carry out therapeutic maneuvers via cholecystoscopy.
Vocal Mimicry of Alarm‐Associated Sounds by a Drongo Elicits Flee and Mobbing Responses from Other Species that Participate in Mixed‐Species Bird Flocks
Authors: Goodale Eben , Ratnayake Chaminda P. , Kotagama Sarath W.
Published: January 2014

A growing number of studies have shown that vocal mimicry appears to be adaptive for some bird species, although the exact function of this behaviour varies among species. Previous work has looked at the function of the vocal mimicry of non‐alarm sounds by the Greater Racket‐tailed Drongo (Dicurus paradiseus). But drongos also imitate sounds associated with danger, such as predators' vocalisations or the mobbing‐specific vocalisations of other prey species, raising the question of whether the function of mimicry can vary even within a species. In a playback experiment, we compared the effect on other species of different drongo vocalisations including: (1) predator mimicry, (2) mobbing mimicry, (3) drongo species‐specific alarms, (4) drongo species‐specific non‐alarms and (5) a control (barbet) sound. Both mobbing mimicry and drongo species‐specific alarms elicited flee responses from the most numerous species in the flocks, the Orange‐billed Babbler (Turdoides rufescens). Mobbing mimicry also elicited mobbing responses from the Orange‐billed Babbler and from another gregarious babbler, the Ashy‐headed Laughingthrush (Garrulax cinereifrons); when responses from both species were considered together, they were elicited at a significantly higher level by mobbing mimicry than by the barbet control, and a level that tended to be higher (0.07 < p < 0.10) than the response to drongo‐specific alarms. Predator mimicry elicited flee and mobbing responses at an intermediary level. Our results support the hypotheses that mobbing mimicry is a specific category of mimicry that helps attract the aid of heterospecifics during mobbing and that alarm mimicry can in some cases be beneficial to the caller.
Hybridization of an invasive shrub affects tolerance and resistance to defoliation by a biological control agent
Authors: Williams Wyatt I. , Friedman Jonathan M. , Gaskin John F. , Norton Andrew P.
Published: January 2014

Evolution has contributed to the successful invasion of exotic plant species in their introduced ranges, but how evolution affects particular control strategies is still under evaluation. For instance, classical biological control, a common strategy involving the utilization of highly specific natural enemies to control exotic pests, may be negatively affected by host hybridization because of shifts in plant traits, such as root allocation or chemical constituents. We investigated introgression between two parent species of the invasive shrub tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) in the western United States, and how differences in plant traits affect interactions with a biological control agent. Introgression varied strongly with latitude of origin and was highly correlated with plant performance. Increased levels of T. ramosissima introgression resulted in both higher investment in roots and tolerance to defoliation and less resistance to insect attack. Because tamarisk hybridization occurs predictably on the western U.S. landscape, managers may be able to exploit this information to maximize control efforts. Genetic differentiation in plant traits in this system underpins the importance of plant hybridization and may explain why some biological control releases are more successful than others.
An ultimobranchial thyroid cyst in a horse
Authors: Østergaard S. , Tnibar A. , Boulouha L.
Published: January 2014

A one‐year‐old female trotter was examined for an enlarging mass on the proximoventral aspect on the right side of the proximal cervical area. On clinical and ultrasonographic examination the mass was found to be a fluid filled cavity of approximately 8 cm in diameter surrounded by a capsule. The right lobe of the thyroid gland was closely related to the mass. The mass and the right thyroid gland were surgically excised. Histological examination revealed an ultimobranchial cyst. This is the first description of the diagnosis and treatment of a thyroid cystic abnormality related to the fifth branchial pouch (ultimobranchial body) in a horse.
Three‐dimensional fatigue crack growth modelling in a helical gear using extended finite element method
Authors: Amiri Rad A. , Forouzan M. R. , Sadeghi Dolatabadi A.
Published: January 2014

In this paper, the fatigue crack growth in helical gear tooth root has been simulated using linear elastic fracture mechanics. The extended finite element method has been used to simulate 3D fatigue crack growth and obtain growth path. Paris equation has been used to calculate the fatigue life of the gear. The modelling time has reduced considerably compared to previous works carried out on 3D crack growth in gears. Some verifications have been carried out to ensure the reliability of the results.
Biomass and nutrients in tree root systems–sustainable harvesting of an intensively managedPinus pinaster(Ait.) planted forest
Authors: Augusto Laurent , Achat David L. , Bakker Mark R. , Bernier Frederic , Bert Didier , Danjon Frederic , Khlifa Rim , Meredieu Celine , Trichet Pierre
Published: January 2014

To develop sources of renewable energy and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increasing attention has been given to the extraction of forest biomass, especially in the form of harvest residues. However, increasing the removal of biomass, and hence nutrients, has raised concerns about the sustainability of site fertility and forest productivity. The environmental cost of harvesting belowground biomass is still not fully understood. The objectives of this study were to (i) estimate the stocks of belowground biomass that potentially can be collected; (ii) measure the nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) concentrations of the different root compartments (stumps, coarse and thin roots); and to (iii) quantify the biomass and nutrient exports under different scenarios, including harvests of above and belowground compartments. The study was carried out onPinus pinasterstands located in south‐western France. Results showed that roots could be a significant fuelwood resource, particularly at forest clear cutting. Negative relationships between root diameter and root nutrient concentration were observed, independently of root function or tree age. Such relationships can be used to accurately simulate nutrient concentrations in roots as well as nutrient exports. Combining our original results on roots with previously published data on the aboveground compartments showed that nutrient losses were higher in canopy harvest scenarios than in root harvest scenarios. This was mainly due to high nutrient concentrations of needles. We concluded that stump and root harvest could be sustainable in our study context, conversely to foliage harvest. Because thin roots have higher nutrient concentrations than coarse roots and the proportion of thin roots increased with an increase in the distance from the tree, collecting roots only in the close vicinity of the stumps should limit nutrient exports (particularly N) without unnecessarily reducing fuelwood biomass.
Sparing Land for Nature in theBrazilianAmazon: Implications from Location Rent Theory
Authors: Walker Robert
Published: January 2014

Land change has become a key environmental issue, with special interest focusing on theAmazonBasin. This article addressesAmazonian deforestation by considering two relevant land change phenomena: indirect land use change (ILUC) and land sparing (LS).ILUC, a forest threat, happens when cattle pastures displaced by mechanized crops are reconstituted on forest frontiers. In contrast,LSbrings environmental hope that improved farm technologies will release lands to native vegetation. Although discussions ofILUCandLShave arisen in theAmazonian context, theoretical description remains absent, which this article redresses with a location rent model. Using the model, the article establishes conditions consistent withILUCandLS, then uses them to interpret land change regimes governing Amazonian deforestation. It concludes by noting that market conditions could end deforestation but not leave sufficient standing forest to avoid a climatic “tipping point” and continental desiccation.

El cambio de uso y cobertura de tierras se ha convertido en un tema medioambiental clave, especialmente en la cuenca amazónica. Este artículo aborda la deforestación amazónica considerando dos fenómenos de relevancia actual: el cambio indirecto del uso de la tierra (indirect land use change—ILUC) y la reservación o separación de tierra (land sparing—LS). En casos ILUC típicos, una amenaza que afecta a los bosques ocurre cuando por ejemplo, los pastos dedicados a la alimentación de ganado son desplazados por los cultivos mecanizados, y se reinstalan en las fronteras forestales. En contraste, el caso LS implica la esperanza que la mejora en las tecnologías agrícolas liberará tierras en favor de vegetación nativa. A pesar de ya existir discusiones acerca de los méritos de ILUC y LS en el contexto amazónico, lo que sigue haciendo falta es una descripción teórica. Este artículo busca corregir este vacío vía un modelo de localización de renta. Mediante el uso de dicho modelo, este estudio establece condiciones compatibles para ambos ILUC y LS y las utiliza para interpretar los regímenes de cambio de uso de tierra que conducen la deforestación amazónica. El artículo concluye señalando que las condiciones del mercado tienen la capacidad de detener definitivamente la deforestación, pero no para preservar suficiente bosque en pie como para evitar alcanzar un “punto de inflexión” climático y desencadenar la aridización continental.

土地变化已成为一个备受关注的环境问题，特别是在亚马逊流域。本文通过考虑两种相关的土地变化现象研究亚马逊的森林砍伐问题：间接土地利用变化(ILUC)和土地节约(LS)。当位于森林边界的原生牧草被机械化的农作物种植所取代时，ILUC作为一种森林威胁就会发生。与此相反，LS则是通过改善耕种技术释放土地为原生植被，从而为环境保护带来希望。关于亚马逊地区ILUC和LS的研究中比较欠缺理论描述，本文试图通过区位租金模型寻求解决办法。本文应用该模型建立了与ILUC和LS相一致的条件，进而利用它们来解释控制亚马逊森林砍伐的土地变更制度。土地变更制度导致亚马逊的森林砍伐变化。因此，市场条件可终止森林的滥砍滥伐，但仍未留出足够的永久森林以避免气候的“临界点”变化和陆地干旱化。
Comparison of Hydraulic Tomography with Traditional Methods at a Highly Heterogeneous Site
Authors: Berg Steven J. , Illman Walter A.
Published: January 2014

Over the past several decades, different groundwater modeling approaches of various complexities and data use have been developed. A recently developed approach for mapping hydraulic conductivity (K) and specific storage (Ss) heterogeneity is hydraulic tomography, the performance of which has not been compared to other more “traditional” methods that have been utilized over the past several decades. In this study, we compare seven methods of modeling heterogeneity which are (1) kriging, (2) effective parameter models, (3) transition probability/Markov Chain geostatistics models, (4) geological models, (5) stochastic inverse models conditioned to local K data, (6) hydraulic tomography, and (7) hydraulic tomography conditioned to local K data using data collected in five boreholes at a field site on the University of Waterloo (UW) campus, in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The performance of each heterogeneity model is first assessed during model calibration. In particular, the correspondence between simulated and observed drawdowns is assessed using the mean absolute error norm, (L1), mean square error norm (L2), and correlation coefficient (R) as well as through scatterplots. We also assess the various models on their ability to predict drawdown data not used in the calibration effort from nine pumping tests. Results reveal that hydraulic tomography is best able to reproduce these tests in terms of the smallest discrepancy and highest correlation between simulated and observed drawdowns. However, conditioning of hydraulic tomography results with permeameter K data caused a slight deterioration in accuracy of drawdown predictions which suggests that data integration may need to be conducted carefully.
Internationalisation and Religious Inclusion in United Kingdom Higher Education
Authors: Stevenson Jacqueline
Published: January 2014

Although not new, the concept of internationalisation, the inclusion of intercultural perspectives and the development of cross‐cultural understanding, has gained particular currency and support across the United Kingdom (UK) higher education sector over the last decade. However, within the academic literature, as well as within institutional policy and practice, there has been little disaggregation of the concept of ‘culture’; rather there appears to be a tacit belief that all aspects of students' cultures should be valued and ‘celebrated’ on campus. Through the stories told by fifteen Sikh, Muslim, Jewish and Christian students studying at a UK post‐1992 university the paper highlights the ways in which religion, a fundamental aspect of the cultural identity, values and practices of many students, is rarely recognised or valorised on campus. This lack of recognition can act to ‘other’, marginalise and isolate students and thus undermine the aims of internationalisation, in particular cross‐cultural understanding. The paper concludes by arguing that religion should be considered within debates around internationalisation so that all students are represented within a multicultural institutional ethos and to ensure meaningful cross‐cultural engagement for all students.
Quality evaluation of black CTC teas based upon seasonal variations
Authors: Laddi Amit , Prakash Neelam R. , Kumar Amod
Published: January 2014

Effects of seasonal variations on the colour and chemical constituents of Indian black tea were investigated. The experimentation involved collection of different black tea samples that were cultivated at the same tea garden but harvested in three different seasons. Measurement of moisture content was done along with theaflavins (TFs), thearubigins (TRs) and colour (CIE La*b* values) of the brewed tea liquor using spectrophotometric approach. The correlation analysis between chemical constituents, that is, TFs and TRs, moisture content, colour and quality grading was done by using principal component analysis (PCA). The results suggest that quality of tea is dependent upon seasonal variations in terms of chemical changes such as TFs, TRs and moisture content, which also correlate well with colour. The efficacy of the colour of brewed tea liquor in explaining the changes in tea quality due to seasonal variations can be beneficial for scientific fixation of prices at tea auction centres.
What do community pharmacists do?: results from a work sampling study in London
Authors: Davies James E , Barber Nicholas , Taylor David
Published: January 2014

Objective

Government and professional groups within the pharmacy have sought to extend the role of pharmacists from dispensing-focused towards the provision of further pharmaceutical services. The aim of this research was to describe how pharmacists in current English community pharmacy practice spend their time using a work sampling method.

Methods

Ten community pharmacies across London were purposively selected. Trained observers visited one pharmacy each to record the activities of the responsible pharmacist, using a fixed-interval work sampling technique. Activities were recorded every minute, into one of 18 predefined, piloted and tested activity codes. Data were recorded for 4 h each day for 1 week at each pharmacy during 2011.

Key findings

A total of 12 306 observations were recorded across the pharmacies. The pharmacists spent the majority of their time assembling and labelling products (median 25.2%; quartiles 19.0, 31.0) and monitoring prescriptions for clinical appropriateness (10.6%; 8.3, 13.0). The next most prevalent activity code was rest, waiting and breaks (8.6%; 6.9, 15.3). They spent more time offering non-prescription medicines advice (6.6%; 3.5, 7.6) than prescription medicines counselling (3.8%; 2.8, 5.6). The provision of pharmaceutical services accounted for 3.2% (0.8, 7.5) of pharmacists' time. Overall, 46.2 % (35.2, 56.2) of their time was spent on activities deemed to be ‘Professional’.

Conclusions

Despite repeated attempts during the last decade to shift pharmacists' roles towards patient-care activities, on the basis of this research, community pharmacists continue to spend the majority of their time on technical dispensing (as opposed to cognitive patient-centred) tasks.
Comparison between zimeldine and amitriptyline of efficacy and adverse symptoms — a combined analysis of four British clinical trials in depression
Authors: Huitfeldt B. , Montgomery S. A.
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT— The similarities and differences in the clinical response and incidence of adverse symptoms between zimeldine and amitriptyline have been evaluated by use of a combined analysis of four double‐blind clinical trials in depression. In total, 197 patients were included in this series of studies.

The efficacy of the drugs was assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM‐D). Reports of adverse symptoms were actively elicited by use of a check‐list of symptoms and rated for severity. The overall clinical efficacy of the two drugs was shown to be equivalent with a high degree of statistical confidence. However, there exist differences in the profile of action. Amitriptyline has a significant advantage in insomnia problems. In spite of this zimeldine was shown to be at least as effective as amitriptyline in reducing anxiety. Amitriptyline is associated with significantly more anticholinergic side‐effects, whereas headache is more disturbing during zimeldine treatment.

The combination of several independent trials based on similar protocols can be a useful tool to increase the statistical reliability of conclusions relative to that which can be achieved in standard sized, individual studies in depression.
A double‐blind, controlled evaluation of zimeldine, imipramine and placebo in patients with primary affective disorders
Authors: Merideth C. H. , Feighner J. P.
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT— Zimeldine, imipramine and placebo were studied in a randomized, double‐blind, parallel group comparison of 119 patients with primary affective disorders. These out‐patients were between 18 and 65 years of age and all received placebo single‐blind during an initial 3–7‐day washout period. During the subsequent 6‐week double‐blind period, patients were titrated from 50 mg b.d. to 150 mg b.d. with zimeldine, a potent and selective inhibitor of 5‐HT reuptake, with imipramine, an inhibitor of noradrenaline and 5‐HT reuptake, or with a corresponding number of placebo capsules.

The zimeldine treatment group had significantly lower mean HAM‐D scale total scores than the placebo and imipramine groups at week 4 and last available assessment. There was a significantly greater proportion of patients showing an improvement of 50% or more in HAM‐D score, among the zimeldine group than in the placebo group at week 4, and among the imipramine group at weeks 4, 6 and last available assessment. The Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scales and the 56‐item Hopkins Symptom Check‐list (HSCL‐56) self‐rating inventory both showed significantly more improvement in the zimeldine patients than in the placebo or the imipramine patients.

Fewer zimeldine patients reported adverse experiences than imipramine patients. Dry mouth was the most frequently reported adverse experience, occurring significantly more often in the imipramine group than the zimeldine or the placebo groups; significantly more zimeldine than placebo patients reported dry mouth. Headache was the only other adverse experience which occurred more often in the zimeldine than in the placebo group. The imipramine group had consistently higher mean pulse rates than the other two groups, and postural hypotension was also more common in the imipramine group.
Zimeldine in the treatment of depression in the elderly
Authors: Gottfries C‐G.
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT— Epidemiological data indicate that the incidence of classical melancholia is lower among the elderly; however, light, atypical or secondary depressions appear to become more common during old age. Biochemical changes that occur with age or in association with dementia, may increase vulnerability to affective disorders. Preliminary studies show that zimeldine is an effective antidepressant with low cardiotoxicity and few anticholinergic side‐effects, and it appears that the drug is well tolerated by the elderly. Drug regimens need to be carefully tailored to the elderly patient's requirements, however, as first‐pass metabolism is reduced in some patients. An objective test to differentiate dementia from depression would be extremely valuable. Unfortunately, no such test has yet been found. The dexamethasone suppression test, for example, has proved to be unreliable in this context.
The new antidepressant zimeldine in general practice. A surveillance study of 15,000 patients
Authors: Fünfgeld E. W.
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT— The safety and efficacy of zimeldine – the 5‐HT reuptake blocker – was investigated in a 3‐week open surveillance study of 15,000 out‐patients with depressive illness. In general, a single daily dose of 200 mg of zimeldine was given to adults for a minimum of 3 weeks. Patients of 65 years or over received 100 mg.

The drug was well tolerated and troublesome side‐effects occurred in only a small percentage of patients. No previously unencountered side‐effects or new pattern of side‐effects emerged from this study. The general impression of the efficacy of zimeldine confirmed previous findings (i.e. that zimeldine is an effective antidepressant).
The effects of zimeldine and amitriptyline on car driving and psychomotor performance
Authors: Hindmarch I. , Subhan Z. , Stoker M. J.
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT— The development of an objective measure of car driving performance, brake reaction time (BRT), is described, and the effects of amitriptyline and zimeldine on this measure are compared in a placebo‐controlled, acute, single dose, volunteer study.

The effects of treatment on laboratory tests of critical flicker fusion (CFF) threshold, choice reaction time (CRT) and tracking accuracy and on self‐assessments of sedation are also examined. At 2 hours post‐treatment, amitriptyline produced a significant increase in brake reaction time when compared to both placebo and zimeldine. At 4 hours post‐treatment, a significant reduction in “tracking accuracy” and a significant increase in CRT was observed after treatment with amitriptyline, while no such effects were seen with zimeldine. Measures of CFF threshold and self‐ratings of sedation also revealed that amitriptyline produced a significant degree of sedation at 4 hours when compared to zimeldine and placebo. In contrast, zimeldine produced elevated CFF threshold, but did not affect self‐ratings of sedation.
Anxiety as part of depression
Authors: Montgomery S. A.
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT— Changes in diagnostic criteria have shown a trend towards a broader definition of depression. Thus, a number of patients who would previously have been considered to be suffering from anxiety states are now classified as having major depressive illness according to the criteria of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual III. Despite this, such patients show a good response to antidepressant drugs (compared to placebo) if their severity of depression is above 15 on the Hamilton Depression scale. It therefore seems likely that there is a common biological substrate underlying both anxiety states and depressive illness, but this issue remains somewhat controversial.

The suggestion that the 5‐HT system is involved in the mediation of anxiety is considered. Further evidence is required before definite conclusions can be drawn, but it seems clear that anxiolytic activity is not dependent on sedative properties.
Effects of amitriptyline, desipramine and zimeldine, alone and in combination with ethanol, on information processing and memory in healthy volunteers
Authors: Linnoila M. , Johnson J. , Dubyoski T. , Ross R. , Buchsbaum M. , Potter W. Z. , Weingartner H.
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT—Interactions of three antidepressants — amitriptyline, desipramine and zimeldine — with a single 0.8 g/kg body weight dose of alcohol were studied in healthy male volunteers. The dependent variables were performance measurements in the Continuous Performance Task and a cognitive memory task. Alcohol and desipramine showed different and specific deleterious effects on cognitive and memory functions, whereas amitriptyline produced a more generalized impairment. Zimeldine slightly improved performance in the Continuous Performance Task and antagonized effects of alcohol in both tasks.
Phylogeography of a marine acanthocephalan: lack of cryptic diversity in a cosmopolitan parasite of mole crabs
Authors: Goulding Tricia C. , Sarah Cohen C.
Published: January 2014

Aim

Little is known about phylogeography and cryptic diversity of parasites in the marine environment. The acanthocephalan Profilicollis altmani parasitizes intermediate hosts that are broadly distributed around the Americas and final hosts that are highly motile. We investigated the spatial genetic structure of this acanthocephalan found in three species of Emerita crabs: (1) to test whether land masses serve as biogeographic barriers promoting ocean basin divergence among parasite lineages or species; and (2) to test whether the distribution of parasite species matches the distribution of different crab host species.

Location

The Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the USA, and the Pacific coast of Panama and Chile.

Methods

Sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS) were obtained from 204 acanthocephalans. Parasites were sampled from crabs in 15 sampling localities. These sequences were analysed with coalescent‐based methods and other population genetic analyses to infer phylogeographic patterns.

Results

Haplotype diversity for COI sequences was high (0.96) among parasites sampled, but nucleotide diversity was low (0.071) and there was no distinct geographic pattern between regions. Pairwise genetic distances were generally low, although there was a degree of population structure between oceans. Sequence comparisons showing an excess of low divergence alleles and a bimodal mismatch distribution provide evidence of either past selective events or demographic expansions. No variation was observed in the ITS sequences.

Main conclusions

The lack of geographic patterning in haplotype diversity of this parasite indicates that gene flow is probably occurring between ocean basins. In addition, the low genetic diversity suggests that the acanthocephalan parasitizing E. analoga in Chile is conspecific to the species found parasitizing several Emerita species along the coasts of North America, and is thus a cosmopolitan parasite that is most likely dispersed long distances by marine birds that serve as definitive hosts.
Optimization of Soy‐Butter from Sprouted Soybean and its Quality Parameters
Authors: Murugkar Dipika Agrahar , Kotwaliwale Nachiket , Gupta Chetan , Gulati Paridhi , Kumar Manoj
Published: January 2014

The time and temperature of roasting of sprouted soybean was optimized using response surface method. The effect of roasting on sprouted whole kernel of soybean indicated that roasting time and temperature individually, as well as in combination, had a significant effect on hardness of roasted kernels. Sprouted soybean kernels were roasted at optimized temperature (127C) and time (37 min) and subsequently made into soy‐butter (SB) and compared with reference soy‐butter (RSB) on the basis of nutrient content, particle size, color, sensory quality and rheology. SB contained 38 g/100 g protein and 34 g/100 g fat. There was significant difference (P < 0.05) between RSB and SB in L* values. Sprouting improved flavor scores and SB showed higher organoleptic acceptability compared with RSB on a 9‐point hedonic scale. Rheology showed that SB behaved like viscoelastic shear thinning material; like Bingham plastic at lower shear rates and Herschel‐Bulkley (HB) fluid at higher shear rates.

Practical Applications

Soybean is an important crop due to its high protein content but soy products are not very popular due to problems of trypsin inhibitor, off‐flavors, etc. Sprouting is a process known to improve the nutritional and functional quality while reducing the content of trypsin inhibitors and off‐flavors of the bean and consequently of the product. SB, a comparatively new product of soybean, offers all positive attributes of soybeans, sprouting and sensory qualities of vegetable butters. A new process for manufacture of SB has been proposed in this paper. The nutrient quality, particle size and rheology have been studied. The process is simple and does not require any expensive or specialized equipment for commercial manufacture. Quality attributes of the product have been modeled so that effect of any change in process on the quality of product can be predicted or the manufacture process can be modified to achieve certain quality attribute.
Improving the Care of Elderly Adults Undergoing Surgery in Michigan
Authors: Sheetz Kyle H. , Guy Karen , Allison James H. , Barnhart Kara A. , Hawken Scott R. , Hayden Emily L. , Starr Jordan B. , Terjimanian Michael N. , Waits Seth A. , Mullard Andrew J. , Krapohl Greta , Ghaferi Amir A. , Campbell Darrell A. , Englesbe Michael J.
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To determine whether failure to rescue, as a driver of mortality, can be used to identify which hospitals attenuate the specific risks inherent to elderly adults undergoing surgery.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

State‐wide surgical collaborative in Michigan.

Participants

Older adults undergoing major general or vascular surgery between 2006 and 2011 (N = 24,216).

Measurements

Thirty‐four hospitals were ranked according to risk‐adjusted 30‐day mortality and grouped into tertiles. Within each tertile, rates of major complications and failure to rescue were calculated, stratifying outcomes according to age (<75 vs ≥75). Next, differences in failure‐to‐rescue rates between age groups within each hospital were calculated.

Results

Failure‐to‐rescue rates were more than two times as high in elderly adults as in younger individuals in each tertile of hospital mortality (26.0% vs 10.3% at high‐mortality hospitals, P < .001). Within hospitals, the average difference in failure‐to‐rescue rates was 12.5%. Nine centers performed better than expected, and three performed worse than expected, with the largest differences exceeding 25%.

Conclusion

Although elderly adults experience higher failure‐to‐rescue rates, this does not account for hospitals' overall capacity to rescue individuals from complications. Comparing rates of younger and elderly adults within hospitals may identify centers where efforts toward complication rescue favor, or are customized for, elderly adults. These centers should be studied as part of the collaborative's effort to address the disparate outcomes that elderly adults in Michigan experience.
Quick and Easy Is Not without Cost: Implications of Poorly Performing Nutrition Screening Tools in Hip Fracture
Authors: Bell Jack J. , Bauer Judith D. , Capra Sandra , Pulle Ranjeev C.
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To evaluate the performance of commonly applied nutrition screening tools and measures and to consider the potential costs of undiagnosed malnutrition in a case‐based reimbursement funding environment.

Design

A diagnostic accuracy study to compare a variety of nutrition screening techniques against primary, secondary, and comparative measures of nutritional status.

Setting

Public metropolitan hospital orthogeriatric unit.

Participants

Individuals with acute hip fracture admitted to the orthogeriatric unit; 150 prospective, consecutively admitted individuals were considered, with eight exclusions, yielding a sample size of 142 participants.

Measurements

Screens included the Mini Nutritional Assessment—Short Form, Malnutrition Screening Tool, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, Nutrition Risk Screen 2002, anthropometric measures, and albumin. Malnutrition was diagnosed using International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems, Tenth Edition, Australian Modification (ICD‐10‐AM) criteria. Healthcare coders costed malnutrition‐related diagnostic related groups and cost‐weight changes for individual participants.

Results

Malnutrition prevalence was 48%. Screening tools had only slight to moderate agreement with ICD‐10‐AM diagnosis of malnutrition, and none of the screening tools tested met the a priori requirement of 80% sensitivity and 60% specificity. The estimated cost effect of poor screening tool sensitivity on a 16‐bed hip fracture unit ranged from AUS$46,506 to AUS$228,896 per year.

Conclusion

Poor screening tool sensitivity leads to undiagnosed malnutrition; tools that are quick and easy to apply are not without cost. Routine nutrition assessment should replace nutrition risk screening in hip fracture settings with a high prevalence of malnutrition reliant on case‐mix funding. Further pragmatic studies are urgently required to determine whether findings apply to other elderly inpatient populations with endemic malnutrition, comorbidities, and cognitive impairment.
Sarcopenic Obesity and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality: A Population‐Based Cohort Study of Older Men
Authors: Atkins Janice L. , Whincup Peter H. , Morris Richard W. , Lennon Lucy T. , Papacosta Olia , Wannamethee S. Goya
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To examine associations between sarcopenia, obesity, and sarcopenic obesity and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all‐cause mortality in older men.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

British Regional Heart Study.

Participants

Men aged 60–79 years (n = 4,252).

Measurements

Baseline waist circumference (WC) and midarm muscle circumference (MAMC) measurements were used to classify participants into four groups: sarcopenic, obese, sarcopenic obese, or optimal WC and MAMC. The cohort was followed for a mean of 11.3 years for CVD and all‐cause mortality. Cox regression analyses assessed associations between sarcopenic obesity groups and all‐cause mortality, CVD mortality, CVD events, and coronary heart disease (CHD) events.

Results

There were 1,314 deaths, 518 CVD deaths, 852 CVD events, and 458 CHD events during follow‐up. All‐cause mortality risk was significantly greater in sarcopenic (HR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.22–1.63) and obese (HR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.03–1.42) men than in the optimal reference group, with the highest risk in sarcopenic obese (HR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.35–2.18), after adjustment for lifestyle characteristics. Risk of CVD mortality was significantly greater in sarcopenic and obese but not sarcopenic obese men. No association was seen between sarcopenic obesity groups and CHD or CVD events.

Conclusion

Sarcopenia and central adiposity were associated with greater cardiovascular mortality and all‐cause mortality. Sarcopenic obese men had the highest risk of all‐cause mortality but not CVD mortality. Efforts to promote healthy aging should focus on preventing obesity and maintaining muscle mass.
Chronic sazetidine‐A maintains anxiolytic effects and slower weight gain following chronic nicotine without maintaining increased density of nicotinic receptors in rodent brain
Authors: Hussmann G. Patrick , DeDominicis Kristen E. , Turner Jill R. , Yasuda Robert P. , Klehm Jacquelyn , Forcelli Patrick A. , Xiao Yingxian , Richardson Janell R. , Sahibzada Niaz , Wolfe Barry B. , Lindstrom Jon , Blendy Julie A. , Kellar Kenneth J.
Published: January 2014

Chronic nicotine administration increases the density of brain α4β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which may contribute to nicotine addiction by exacerbating withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking cessation. Varenicline, a smoking cessation drug, also increases these receptors in rodent brain. The maintenance of this increase by varenicline as well as nicotine replacement may contribute to the high rate of relapse during the first year after smoking cessation. Recently, we found that sazetidine‐A (saz‐A), a potent partial agonist that desensitizes α4β2* nAChRs, does not increase the density of these receptors in brain at doses that decrease nicotine self‐administration, increase attention in rats, and produce anxiolytic effects in mice. Here, we investigated whether chronic saz‐A and varenicline maintain the density of nAChRs after their up‐regulation by nicotine. In addition, we examined the effects of these drugs on a measure of anxiety in mice and weight gain in rats. After increasing nAChRs in the rodent brain with chronic nicotine, replacing nicotine with chronic varenicline maintained the increased nAChR binding, as well as the α4β2 subunit proteins measured by western blots. In contrast, replacing nicotine treatments with chronic saz‐A resulted in the return of the density of nAChRs to the levels seen in saline controls. Nicotine, saz‐A and varenicline each demonstrated anxiolytic effects in mice, but only saz‐A and nicotine attenuated the gain of weight over a 6‐week period in rats. These findings suggest that apart from its modest anxiolytic and weight control effects, saz‐A, or drugs like it, may be useful in achieving long‐term abstinence from smoking.

image

Chronic treatment with nicotine increases brain α4β2 nicotinic receptors, which may be related to nicotine addiction. When nicotine is replaced by varenicline, this receptor increase is maintained; in contrast, when nicotine is replaced by sazetidine‐A the receptors return to baseline levels. The doses of drugs used here are anxiolytic and slow gain of body weight compared to saline controls.
Refining rare weed trait syndromes along arable intensification gradients
Authors: Pinke Gyula , Gunton Richard M.
Published: January 2014

Question

How does the conservation (rarity) value of arable weed communities differ along intensification gradients? Which functional traits best distinguish the weed communities of more and less extensively managed fields? Can the same traits predict the rarity of individual weed species?

Location

Hungary.

Methods

Using relevé data from 60 cereal and 70 stubble fields, together with weed trait data, we characterized community responses to arable intensification using functional trait analyses based on trait‐convergence and trait‐divergence assembly patterns. We also examined how well the broad‐scale rarity status of species predicts their occurrence along intensification gradients, and how it maps onto our functional classifications describing intensification responses.

Results

The response of weeds to intensification in cereal fields was best described by a functional classification based on species' flowering duration, maximum height and seed weight: weeds of extensively managed fields have short flowering seasons (2–5 mo) and particularly large or small seeds. The highest proportions of rare species also happen to be found in these groups. The rarest weeds among these species tend to be late‐winter and early‐summer annuals, while the rare species of stubble fields tend to be broad‐leaved with low nitrogen requirements, small seeds and short height. Stubble fields showed a decline in weed cover with increasing application of fertilizer and distance from the field edge, but we could detect no strong associations of management factors with trait composition, perhaps because the intensification gradient across these fields was shorter.

Conclusions

Many rare Hungarian weeds are associated with traditional extensive farming practices. They are particularly characterized by short, midsummer flowering periods and by preference for low nitrogen levels, but a range of trait syndromes must be considered to understand their ecology and conservation. Analyses based on trait‐divergence patterns, rather than trait‐convergence patterns, provide better insights into the functional composition of weed communities, emphasizing the importance of disruptive filters in weed community assembly and the need for improved methods to detect such effects.
Analyzing hematopoietic stem cell homing, lodgment, and engraftment to better understand the bone marrow niche
Authors: Heazlewood Shen Y. , Oteiza Ana , Cao Huimin , Nilsson Susan K.
Published: January 2014

The existence of a bone marrow (BM) niche—the location in which hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside—was proposed more than 30 years ago. Recent data suggest that the interaction of HSCs with cellular and extracellular components within the BM is critical for HSC regulation. The tracking of immunofluorescently labeled, prospectively isolated HSCs to and within the BM cavity allows the assessment of the regulatory processes involved in (1) homing, which involves transendothelial migration into the BM; (2) lodgment, including transmarrow migration through the extravascular space; and (3) BM reconstitution. Together, such analyses provide a better understanding of the cellular and extracellular components involved in the regulation of HSC quiescence and differentiation. Homing and lodgment of transplanted HSCs, the first critical steps in engraftment, involve multiple interactions between HSCs and the BM microenvironment. Herein, we describe a refined method of analyzing homing efficiency and spatial distribution of HSCs harvested from endosteal and/or central BM regions; we also review alternate methods. Using these techniques, microenvironment modifications within the recipient or surface protein–expression modifications on donor HSCs in animal models provide insights into components influencing the homing, lodgment, and engraftment processes.
Frequency and Sequelae of Retained Implanted Cardiac Device Material Post Heart Transplantation
Authors: MARTIN ANDREW , VOSS JAMIE , SHANNON DUNCAN , RUYGROK PETER , LEVER NIGEL
Published: January 2014

Background

Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have now become common therapeutic adjuncts for patients prior to orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Removal of the generator and the intracardiac components occurs at time of transplantation but removal of the intravascular portion of leads may be unsuccessful without specialized extraction equipment.

Methods

We performed a retrospective audit of chest radiographs and clinical records of patients undergoing OHT at Green Lane and Auckland City Hospitals between 2002 and 2012.

Results

At the time of transplant surgery, 56 of 100 patients had a CIED in situ. Hardware was retained postoperatively in 22 (39%), and the CIED had been in situ for 47 (interquartile range [IQR] 16–68) months for these cases, compared to 14 (IQR 3–24) months in those without. In two (9%) patients, the device generator was electively explanted during the week following OHT. There were no subsequent procedures undertaken to remove retained lead fragments. One (4%) had lead fragment embolization, one (4%) had endoluminal fragment migration, and one (4%) had lead fragment erosion into the mediastinum; all were asymptomatic and without adverse clinical sequelae. There was no infection associated with this hardware. The presence of retained lead fragments was not associated with additional mortality.

Conclusions

Retained lead fragments following OHT occur commonly, without adverse clinical events for this cohort; however, the long‐term clinical implications remain uncertain. Complete removal of all CIED hardware should be attempted at the time of OHT, and when this is not possible leads should be left in a state that facilitates their removal at a later date if required.
An Epistemic Case for Empathy
Authors: Steinberg Justin
Published: January 2014

Much recent work on empathy assumes that one cannot give non‐question‐begging reasons for empathizing with others. In this article I argue that there are epistemic reasons for cultivating empathy. After sketching a brief general account of empathy, I proceed to argue that empathic information is user‐friendly, fostering the achievement of widely held cognitive goals. It can also contribute to social knowledge and the satisfaction of democratic ideals. The upshot of my analysis is that there are strong, but defeasible, epistemic reasons for empathizing with others.
Inhibition of mutant BRAF splice variant signaling by next‐generation, selective RAF inhibitors
Authors: Basile Kevin J. , Le Kaitlyn , Hartsough Edward J. , Aplin Andrew E.
Published: January 2014

Vemurafenib and dabrafenib block MEK‐ERK1/2 signaling and cause tumor regression in the majority of advanced‐stage BRAFV600E melanoma patients; however, acquired resistance and paradoxical signaling have driven efforts for more potent and selective RAF inhibitors. Next‐generation RAF inhibitors, such as PLX7904 (PB04), effectively inhibit RAF signaling in BRAFV600E melanoma cells without paradoxical effects in wild‐type cells. Furthermore, PLX7904 blocks the growth of vemurafenib‐resistant BRAFV600E cells that express mutant NRAS. Acquired resistance to vemurafenib and dabrafenib is also frequently driven by expression of mutation BRAF splice variants; thus, we tested the effects of PLX7904 and its clinical analog, PLX8394 (PB03), in BRAFV600E splice variant‐mediated vemurafenib‐resistant cells. We show that paradox‐breaker RAF inhibitors potently block MEK‐ERK1/2 signaling, G1/S cell cycle events, survival and growth of vemurafenib/PLX4720‐resistant cells harboring distinct BRAFV600E splice variants. These data support the further investigation of paradox‐breaker RAF inhibitors as a second‐line treatment option for patients failing on vemurafenib or dabrafenib.