bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving school feeding through participation: should the teacher be actively involved?
Authors: Iddrisu Issah
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Maintaining the success of educational institutions largely depends on the teacher. It is the teacher whose main efforts and contribution help in achieving the goals in education. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current state of the programme delivery and how involving the active participation of the teacher will help enhance effective and efficient delivery of the school feeding programme at the school level.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of ten basic schools were purposefully selected for the study with the use of the case study method. Interviews and observations were made in all the selected schools using a semi-structured interview guide. It was also done for some selected stakeholders within the study area under the school feeding programme.

Findings

There is an indication that teachers as managers and administrators of the school system are not actively involved in the feeding programme leading to an ineffective and efficient delivery. The school children do not get the best from the programme. There is a need to put teachers in charge of operations at the school level. This will improve trust and cooperation between caterers, students and opinion leaders. The structure at the school level should be redesigned making caterers answerable to the teacher. Teachers as implementers in the case of the capitation grant will enhance efficiency leading to the achievement of the goal of the programme.

Originality/value

The study underlines the importance, efficiency and influence of the teacher within the school system, in the operations of the school feeding programme and in the Ghanaian society.
Age stereotypes in agile software development – an empirical study of performance expectations
Authors: Schloegel Uta , Stegmann Sebastian , Maedche Alexander , van Dick Rolf
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Research on agile software development (ASD) has so far primarily focused on processes and tools. Recently, researchers have started to investigate the social dimensions of ASD. The authors contribute to this and examine the largely invisible psychological factor of age stereotypes as one important social dimension of ASD. Driven by demographic change, employees of different age groups will need to work closely together in ASD in the future. However, age stereotypes can hinder many aspects of communication, cooperation and coordination in these self-managed teams. The purpose of this paper is to identify and differentiate age stereotypes in ASD.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey at the individual level was conducted with 464 employees in two software development companies. The authors developed an age stereotype model for ASD and developed two scales to measure performance expectations (PEs) in ASD.

Findings

Employees in ASD show a bias in general PEs, favoring middle-aged employees over both younger and older employees. The perceived PE of a developer decreases over working life. Furthermore, the data show a complex interplay of age and job role in both the research participants and the group evaluated. Younger developers hold the strongest negative age stereotypes and older developers suffer most from stereotypes.

Practical implications

Management should enact formal or informal measures against stereotypes when an older or younger employee joins a team of members of other age groups, or when a new team is formed. In addition, the authors propose human resources to create permeable career paths.

Originality/value

The study extends the stereotype content model by adding additional age groups and including job role as a moderating variable. It identifies obstacles in daily employee interactions in agile development, and proposes ways of incorporating invisible psychological aspects in ASD-specific theories.
Zooming out: actor engagement beyond the dyadic
Authors: Alexander Matthew J. , Jaakkola Elina , Hollebeek Linda D.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to broaden extant understanding of actor engagement behavior beyond its currently dominant dyadic (micro-level) focus, by examining it from multiple levels of aggregation within a service ecosystem framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper draws on service-dominant logic and structuration theory as theoretical lenses to inform engagement research.

Findings

By means of a stepwise exercise of “zooming out,” the paper introduces a multi-perspective (micro-, meso-, macro- and meta-level) view of actor engagement that develops understanding of multiple engagement contexts, and suggests that balancing multiple roles may result in actor disengagement behavior. The role of reference groups and role conflict associated with balancing multiple roles is critical to understanding why engaged actor proclivities may wax and wane between contexts.

Research limitations/implications

The paper offers a set of five propositions that can be utilized by engagement scholars undertaking further research in this area.

Practical implications

Firms need to understand the values and norms embedded in diverse engagement contexts which can affect actor groups’ needs and motivations. Firms should develop appropriate organizational mechanisms to facilitate (rather than impede or obstruct) the desired behaviors of engaged actors.

Originality/value

The broader context within which engaged actors operate, and its effects on engagement, has been largely overlooked to date. By broadening the analytical perspective on engagement beyond the dyadic this paper reveals previously unaddressed aspects of this phenomenon, such as the role of disengagement behavior, and the effects of multiple engagement contexts on actors’ future behaviors.
No strings attached? Challenges and successes in creating a flexible, wire-free active learning classroom
Authors: Ellern Gillian (Jill) D. , Buchanan Heidi E.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper serves as a case study, detailing an academic library’s three-year process of redesigning, implementing, and using a library electronic classroom. The purpose of this paper is to share the challenges and successes of a library’s attempt to create a high-tech space that both accommodates active learning and is entirely flexible and free of wires. The paper provides technical details for implementing features such as wireless screen sharing and offers practical advice for librarians who are creating new teaching and learning spaces at their institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a descriptive case study, which details the lessons learned in implementing an active learning space that incorporates technology such as wireless display to multiple screens.

Findings

There are still major challenges in having a truly wire-free classroom including authentication policies, wireless display technology, instructor’s station mobility, and student laptop control. Successes include flexible furniture, battery-power management solutions, and using multiple wireless devices in a single room.

Practical implications

Practical implications of this paper include recommendations for planning this type of upgrade in a library electronic classroom.

Originality/value

The unique feature of this case was the effort to combine the mobile features of a flexible learning space with some of the robust technology of a hardwired active learning classroom. This paper features technical details beyond what can be found in the library literature. For example, very little has been written about the issues involved in wirelessly displaying a computer screen to multiple devices in a classroom.
Effect ofNigella sativaseed extract on lipid and protein oxidation in raw ground pork during refrigerated storage
Authors: Chauhan Pranav , Das Arun K. , Nanda P.K. , Kumbhar Vishal , Yadav J.P.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Black cumin (Nigella sativaL.) is well known for its strong, hot, peppery taste and has many nutritional, pharmaceutical and traditional therapeutic uses. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effect of different solvent extracts of black cumin seed to retard lipid and protein oxidation in raw ground pork meat during refrigerated storage (4 ± 1°C) for nine days.

Design/methodology/approach

Black cumin extracts (BCEs) were prepared using different solvents, namely, ethanol, water, ethanol:water (60:40) and methanol:hot water (60:40). Extracts were analysed for total phenolic content (TPC), 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and reducing power. Based on the results, water extract (WE) and ethanol–water extract (EHWE) of black cumin were selected and incorporated at 1.5 per cent into freshly minced pork meat and compared with a synthetic antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT; 100 ppm), in retarding lipid and protein oxidation. Treated and control samples were aerobically packed in low-density polyethylene bags for analysis of various parameters (pH, colour and odour score, peroxide, lipid and protein oxidation) during nine-day refrigerated storage study.

Findings

Results showed that BCEs had a good amount of TPC (4.4-7.4 mg gallic acid equivalents/g) and also DPPH scavenging activities (33.96-44.23 per cent), with WE and EHWE extracts showing highest reducing power and promising antioxidant capacity. Hence, BCEs (WE and EHWE) incorporated at 1.5 per cent into freshly minced pork meat was tested, compared to BHT (100 ppm) and control samples, in retarding lipid and protein oxidation during storage. In BCE-treated samples, thiobarbituric acid reacting substances, free fatty acids, peroxide, formation of protein carbonyls and off-odour or rancid odour development were lower than control and values were comparable with BHT. Incorporation of BCE did not negatively affect the colour of ground pork.

Originality/value

BCEs (WE and EHWE) at 1.5 per cent inhibited protein and lipid oxidation and it could be exploited commercially as an effective alternative in retarding oxidative deterioration of meat products.
Knowledge, attitude and practice of health professionals about probiotic use in Ahmedabad, India
Authors: Soni Richa , Tank Kamna , Jain Nayan
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice about probiotic use among health professionals of Ahmedabad, India.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was prepared. The questionnaire consisted of 12 close-ended questions related to definition, mechanism of action, safety consideration, health benefits, sources and four questions to assess their attitude and practice about probiotics. Total 267 healthcare professionals were requested to fill the questionnaire. Participants were doctors, medical students, nutritionists, nutrition students, pharmacists and pharmacy students.

Findings

Results of the survey revealed that most of the participants (93.25 per cent) were aware of the term probiotic, 66.66 per cent professionals were able to answer the right mechanism of action of probiotics. Only 54.68 per cent health professionals knew the health benefits correctly. There was a significant difference between the knowledge of professionals from different fields (p < 0.05). Medical students had highest knowledge scores, whereas nutrition students had lowest knowledge scores. There was no significant difference between knowledge of doctors, pharmacist and nutritionist, but knowledge of medical students was significantly higher than the nutrition students (p < 0.05). Majority of the respondents (85.76 per cent) believed that probiotics are useful for patients. Nearly 50 per cent preferred probiotic food over probiotic drugs. Almost half of them (48.68 per cent) agreed that probiotics can significantly affect the outcome of any therapy.

Originality/value

Nutritionists and medical students have shown to be more knowledgeable about probiotics than professionals and students of other fields. A positive and significant correlation was found between knowledge and attitude of healthcare providers.
Assessing food safety and associated food hygiene and sanitary practices in food industries
Authors: Shuvo Suvasish Das
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of food handlers about food hygiene and sanitation in biscuit industry of central marketing company in Jessore, Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered, structured questionnaire was designed and data were collected during the period of April to July 2016 from 110 food handlers using simple random sampling.

Findings

The results show that the food handlers had excellent knowledge, attitude and good practices toward food hygiene and sanitation and food contamination related to food safety. The mean score (standard deviation) of knowledge, attitudes and practices were 20.1 (3.9), 18.6 (3.1) and 16.7 (3.3), respectively (p < 0.007). There was significant correlation between food safety training and knowledge, knowledge and attitude or knowledge and practices (p < 0.001). The majority (90.9 per cent) of the respondents stated that they intended to make sure that the prepared food was safe for consumers, which was significant (p < 0.007). Almost all of the food workers were aware of the critical role of general sanitary practices in the work place. The study suggests that the knowledge, attitude and practice level of food handlers were satisfactory.

Originality/value

Continuous education and training should be organized to strengthen food handlers’ knowledge in areas which seem to be deficient.
Role of prebiotics and probiotics in oral health
Authors: Tester Richard Frank , Al-Ghazzewi Farage H.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the utilisation of pre- and probiotics for oral care and the state of knowledge at this time.

Design/methodology/approach

Pre- and probiotics describe beneficial carbohydrates and microbiota, respectively, for optimal gut health. Carbohydrates provide energy selectively for the gut-friendly bacteria. The use of both carbohydrates and bacteria is, however, being expanded into other areas of the body – including the skin, vagina and oral cavity – for health-related applications.

Findings

There is increased interest in both pre- and probiotics for oral care products. The importance of oral microflora and their selective substrates is discussed against a background of contemporary oral care approaches. The issues and benefits are discussed in this review.

Originality/value

It is clear that consumption of prebiotics and probiotics may play a role as potential prophylactic or therapeutic agents for reducing the presence of organisms in the mouth associated with tooth decay. To confirm a beneficial effect of pre- and probiotics further in vivo studies involving healthy human volunteers should be considered.
Towards a more meaningful involvement of librarians in academic program reviews
Authors: Bowker Lynne
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Using a descriptive case study approach, this paper aims to validate academic librarians’ perceptions that they are marginalized by faculty during academic program reviews, and recommends ways for the two groups to collaborate more effectively to make program reviews more meaningful.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes a case study at a Canadian university where the six types of documents produced as part of the program review process for ten graduate programs were analyzed using corpus analysis tools and techniques, such as keyword generation and key word in context analysis. For each program, documents were examined to determine the volume and nature of the discussion involving libraries in the self-study, library report annex, site visit itinerary, external reviewers’ report, academic program’s response and final assessment report.

Findings

The empirical evidence from the corpus analysis validates the findings of previous perception-based studies and confirms that librarians currently have a minor role in program reviews. Best practices and gaps emerged, prompting five recommendations for ways in which academic librarians can play a more meaningful role in the program review process.

Practical implications

The results suggest that programs are not currently putting their best foot forward during program reviews, but this could be improved by including librarians more fully in the program review process.

Originality/value

The present study contributes to the existing body of knowledge about the role of academic librarians in the program review process by providing direct and empirical measures to triangulate previous perception-based investigations that rely on surveys and interviews. It summarizes limitations of the current institutional quality assurance process and the benefits to be gained by involving librarians more in the process. It offers recommendations for policymakers and practitioners with regard to potential best practices for facilitating librarian involvement in academic program reviews.
Making sense of student feedback using text analysis – adapting and expanding a common lexicon
Authors: Santhanam Elizabeth , Lynch Bernardine , Jones Jeffrey
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to report the findings of a study into the automated text analysis of student feedback comments to assist in investigating a high volume of qualitative information at various levels in an Australian university. It includes the drawbacks and advantages of using selected applications and established lexicons. There has been an emphasis on the analysis of the statistical data collected using student surveys of learning and teaching, while the qualitative comments provided by students are often not systematically scrutinised. Student comments are important, as they provide a level of detail and insight that are imperative to quality assurance practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper outlines the process by which the institution researched, developed and implemented the automated analysis of student qualitative comments in surveys of units and teaching.

Findings

The findings indicated that there are great benefits in implementing this automated process, particularly in the analysis of evaluation data for units with large enrolments. The analysis improved efficiency in the interpretation of student comments. However, a degree of human intervention is still required in creating reports that are meaningful and relevant to the context.

Originality/value

This paper is unique in its examination of one institution’s journey in developing a process to support academics staff in interpreting and understanding student comments provided in surveys of units and teaching.
Managing university records in the world of governance
Authors: Phiri Mathews J. , Tough Alistair George
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between corporate governance and records management in the context of higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative research taking the form of a collective case study of six institutions.

Findings

That good records management can and does contribute to effective corporate governance and accountability. However, this relationship is not necessarily present in all circumstances.

Research limitations/implications

That further corporatisation in higher education is likely to be supported by, and result in, better records management.

Originality/value

The paper proposes governance record keeping as an approach to managing records and documents in the world of governance, audit and risk.
Comparative histomorphological study of endometrium in mares
Authors: Herrera M. , Herrera J. M. , Cantatore S. , Aguilar J. , Felipe A. , Fumuso E.
Published: January 2018

Uterine acute post‐breeding inflammation is a physiological tissue response to the entry of exogenous elements, with persistent endometritis being the main pathology responsible for subfertility in the mare (Equus ferus caballus;Linnaeus, 1758). Mares can be classified assusceptibleorresistantto endometritis according to their ability to remove intrauterine fluid within 48 hr after experimental inoculation. Endometrial biopsy is a technique that is commonly used to establish the degree of lesions that can affect the fertility of the mare. Endometrial histomorphometry is an objective and highly precise diagnostic method. The aim of this study was to compare, during oestrus, the endometrial histomorphometry of mares previously classified as susceptible (SM) or resistant (RM) to endometritis. Endometrial biopsies from 24 mares at the oestrus phase of the cycle were obtained. For the histomorphometric analysis, samples were histologically processed and subjected to routine Haematoxylin–Eosin staining. For the evaluation, the variables were considered as follows: 1‐Height of the lining and glandular epithelia (LiningSM = 15.9 μm vs.RM = 13.3 μm; GlandularSM = 15.0 μm vs.RM = 13.0 μm); 2‐Perpendicular diameters of endometrial glands (SM = 51.3 μm vs.RM = 44.8 μm); 3‐Number of endometrial glands per field (SM = 24.8 glands/field vs.RM = 20.5 glands/field). The results from this study suggest the existence of a relationship between the studied characteristics and the susceptibility/resistance to post‐breeding endometritis in mares. Thus, increased epithelial height, greater glandular density and greater development of the glands during oestrus would be related to a higher susceptibility to endometritis.
Institutional setting and wealth gradients in cesarean delivery rates: Evidence from six developing countries
Authors: Sepehri Ardeshir
Published: January 2018

Background

The influence of the type of institutional setting on cesarean delivery is well documented. However, the traditional boundaries between public and private providers have become increasingly blurred with the commercialization of the state health sector that allows providers to tailor the quantity and quality of care according to patients’ ability to pay. This study examined wealth‐related variations in cesarean rates in six lower‐ and upper‐middle income countries: the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guatemala, Jordan, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

Methods

Demographic and Health Survey data and a hierarchical regression model were used to assess wealth‐related variations in cesarean rates in government and private hospitals while controlling for a wide range of women's socioeconomic and risk profiles.

Results

The odds of undergoing a cesarean delivery were greater in private facilities than government hospitals by 58% in Jordan, 129% in Guatemala, and 262% and 279% in the Dominican Republic and Egypt, respectively. Additional analysis involving interactions between the type of facility and wealth quintiles indicated that wealthier women were more likely to undergo a cesarean birth in government hospitals than poorer women in all countries but the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. Moreover, in both Egypt and Jordan, differences in cesarean rates between government and private hospitals were smaller for the wealthier strata than for the nonwealthy.

Conclusions

Large wealth‐related variations in the mode of delivery across government and private hospitals suggest the need for well‐developed guidelines and standards to achieve a more appropriate selection of cases for cesarean delivery.
British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of lichen sclerosus, 2018
Authors: Lewis F.M. , Tatnall F.M. , Velangi S.S. , Bunker C.B. , Kumar A. , Brackenbury F. , Mohd Mustapa M.F. , Exton L.S. , McHenry P.M. , Leslie T.A. , Wakelin S. , Hunasehally R.Y.P. , Cork M. , Johnston G.A. , Chiang N. , Worsnop F.S. , Buckley D. , Petrof G. , Salin A. , Callachand N. , Saunders C. , Salad A.A.
Published: January 2018

Linked Comment: Akel and Fuller. Br J Dermatol 2018; 178:823–824.

Plain language summary available online
When are they old enough to drink? Outcomes of an Australian social marketing intervention targeting alcohol initiation
Authors: Jones Sandra C. , Andrews Kelly , Francis Kate L. , Akram Muhammad
Published: January 2018

Introduction and Aims

This paper reports on the evaluation of an Australian whole‐of‐community social marketing intervention targeting social norms, which aimed to reduce inflated perceptions of the prevalence of underage drinking and increase the age at which alcohol initiation is considered acceptable.

Design and Methods

A community‐wide intervention was delivered in a single community over a period of 2 years, targeting adolescents, parents and community members. Pre‐and post‐intervention computer‐assisted telephone interview surveys were conducted in the intervention and a matched comparison (control) community. A total of 417 respondents completed both surveys (215 in the intervention community and 202 in the control community).

Results

The intervention community saw an increase of 6 months in the average age at which it is perceived to be acceptable for young people to have a sip/taste of alcohol and 5 months in the average age at which it is perceived to be acceptable to have weak/watered down alcohol. Furthermore, there was a reduction in the perception of the prevalence of alcohol consumption by young people to a level consistent with actual underage drinking rates. In comparison, the control community saw no change in any of these variables.

Discussion and Conclusions

This study provides preliminary evidence that a whole‐of‐community social marketing intervention can change perceptions of the prevalence, and acceptability, of underage drinking. Given the central role of social norms in decisions regarding alcohol consumption, these changes have the potential to reduce parental supply and thus underage drinking.
Life‐history characteristics of European birds
Authors: Storchová Lenka , Hořák David
Published: January 2018

Motivation

Birds are an extremely diverse group in terms of adaptations to environmental conditions, which is reflected in their life histories and ecological traits. Recently, functional aspects of avian diversity have been used frequently in comparative analyses as well as in community ecology studies; thus, open access to complete datasets of traits will be valuable. We focused on European bird species and compiled information about crucial ecological traits. This dataset is thus useful for research investigating large‐scale patterns in European avifauna and can be used in various analyses in evolutionary ecology, macroecology or conservation biology.

Main types of variables contained

We chose several types of avian traits, such as morphological (e.g., weight, wing, bill or tarsus length), reproductive (e.g., clutch size, egg mass, incubation period or type of young) and behavioural traits (type of nest, mating system or type of parental care), dietary (e.g., folivore, granivore, insectivore or carnivore) and habitat preferences (e.g., deciduous/coniferous forest, reed or grassland).

Spatial location and grain

Europe; all breeding bird species (n = 499).

Major taxa and level of measurement

In total, we created a dataset for 499 bird species breeding in Europe and 34 key life‐history traits represented in 85 variables. As a primary source of information we used the comprehensive handbook The birds of the Western Palearctic. The traits provide information about species‐specific mean values. We did not record values for different geographical subspecies (i.e., the trait value always represents the average for the whole breeding area of a particular species).

Software format

The data file is in ASCII text, tab delimited, not compressed.
Development of evidence‐based nursing‐sensitive quality indicators for emergency nursing: A Delphi study
Authors: Ju Qiao‐Yan , Huang Li‐Hua , Zhao Xue‐Hong , Xing Mei‐Yuan , Shao Le‐Wen , Zhang Mei‐Yun , Shao Rong‐Ya
Published: January 2018

Aims and objectives

To establish evidence‐based nursing‐sensitive quality indicators for emergency nursing in China.

Background

China lacks nursing‐sensitive quality indicators necessary for assessing the quality of emergency nursing and essential to nursing management.

Design

Prospective.

Methods

A literature search for relevant evidence‐based studies was performed using several databases from January 2009–May 2014. Previously reported quality indicators were identified as appropriate for assessment by a panel of 40 experts in emergency medicine and nursing. Two successive rounds of Delphi surveys were conducted using questionnaires designed by the experts. Kendal's W coordination coefficients were calculated for indicator importance, rationality of calculation and feasibility of data collection.

Results

Thirty‐three quality indicators were initially proposed for expert evaluation. After round 1 of expert discussion, Kendal's W coordination coefficients were .152 for importance, .092 for rationality and .141 for feasibility of data collection (all p < .001). Seven unsuitable items were discarded in round 1 and 11 discarded in round 2, which also added one new item. Finally, the experts reached consensus on 16 items established as appropriate nursing‐sensitive quality indicators for emergency nursing care.

Conclusion

Evidence‐based nursing‐sensitive quality indicators were established through a consensus of experts in emergency nursing and medicine.

Relevance to clinical practice

The current findings may provide a theoretical basis for establishing an emergency nursing quality database and improving the quality of emergency nursing care in China.
Maternal anemia during pregnancy and slightly higher risk of asthma in male offspring
Authors: Harju Maijakaisa , Pekkanen Juha , Heinonen Seppo , Keski‐Nisula Leea
Published: January 2018

Aim

We aimed to determine whether maternal hemoglobin levels or anemia during pregnancy are associated with the development of asthma among offspring.

Methods

Data were retrieved from the birth register database of Kuopio University Hospital between 1989 and 2007 (n = 38 381). Hemoglobin levels were measured during three trimesters of pregnancy and anemia was defined according to the World Health Organization criteria. The prevalence of asthma was determined from the register of reimbursement for medication for asthma at the Finnish Social Security Institution. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to evaluate the possible associations between prenatal factors and development of asthma ever.

Results

A total of 8198 (21.4%) women had anemia at some stage of pregnancy. Mild maternal anemia during the first trimester was associated with an increased risk of asthma among male offspring (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.11–1.94) compared with those with normal maternal hemoglobin levels. This finding remained significant also after applying the Bonferroni correction.

Conclusion

Male offspring with maternal anemia during the first trimester of pregnancy had significantly more asthma ever than the offspring of women with normal hemoglobin levels during pregnancy. These findings were not strong but suggest possible sex‐specific effects of maternal health on prenatal programming and future risk of asthma.
Cow's milk allergic children—Can component‐resolved diagnostics predict duration and severity?
Authors: Petersen Thomas Houmann , Mortz Charlotte Gotthard , Bindslev‐Jensen Carsten , Eller Esben
Published: January 2018

Background

Cow's milk allergy (CMA) affects 2% of all children. This study investigatescomponent‐resolved diagnostics(CRD) to cow's milk proteins in children suspected of CMA, by correlating the level of CRD with outcome of the oral challenge. Furthermore, we evaluate the ability of serial CRD measurements to distinguish children with persistent CMA from children developing tolerance.

Methods

We included data from 78 children referred to the Allergy Centre during a 13‐year period. Results from oral food challenges including threshold, severity, and sensitization data (IgE antibodies to whole milk protein, IgE components toward milk and skin prick test (SPT)) were collected. The milk allergic children were re‐evaluated with sensitization data and rechallenges regularly.

Results

Thirty‐nine children had negative first challenges, and 39 had positive first challenges. The positive group was rechallenged and separated into 3 groups depending on time to remission. At inclusion, children with persistent CMA had significantly larger size of SPT and higher levels of s‐IgE to milk and CRD compared to the other groups. SPT wheal size was significantly larger in children with persistent CMA compared to children outgrowing CMA. Furthermore, a correlation between s‐IgE level to cow's milk and casein and the severity of the allergic reaction elicited by food challenges was found.

Conclusion

Oral food challenge cannot be replaced by s‐IgE to whole milk protein or milk components nor SPT in the diagnosis of CMA; however, high levels of milk components and s‐IgE to milk increase the risk of a long‐lasting or persisting CMA.
Reduced CDHR3 expression in children wheezing with rhinovirus
Authors: Stenberg Hammar Katarina , Niespodziana Katarzyna , van Hage Marianne , Kere Juha , Valenta Rudolf , Hedlin Gunilla , Söderhäll Cilla
Published: January 2018

Background

Rhinovirus‐induced wheezing in young children has been associated with increased asthma risk at school age. Recently, the transmembrane protein cadherin‐related family member 3 (CDHR3) was identified as the RV‐C receptor and the genetic variant rs6967330 (p.Cys529Tyr) was reported to be associated with enhanced RV‐C binding and increased replication in vitro. The aim of this study was to examine rs6967330 genotypes and mRNA expression of CDHR3 in relation to presence of rhinovirus and clinical symptoms in children with acute wheezing and compare to a group of age‐matched healthy children.

Methods

rs6967330;G>A was genotyped (n = 216), and CDHR3 mRNA expression was measured in peripheral blood leukocytes (n = 69) from a subgroup of children wheezing with RV infection acute and at a follow‐up visit 2‐3 months later, and in healthy controls. Standardized TaqMan assays were used.

Results

The risk allele rs6967330‐A was over‐represented in the wheezing group (P < .001). Reduced mRNA levels of CDHR3 were found in children with acute wheezing as compared to the control group (P = .001). Children with the rs6967330 genotypes AA/AG showed the largest differences in CDHR3 expression between acute and follow‐up visit (P < .04).

Conclusions

Preschool children with RV‐induced wheezing were shown to have reduced CDHR3 mRNA levels, which might result in an increased permeability of the epithelial layers of the airways and thereby an increased vulnerability. Thus, measuring CDHR3 mRNA levels might help to identify a more severe phenotype of wheezing preschool children.
Association between pro‐inflammatory alleles and allergic phenotypes in Xhosa adolescents
Authors: Laurence Craig , van der Merwe Lize , Zhang Guicheng , Le Souëf Peter , Levin Michael
Published: January 2018

Background

Significant differences exist in the prevalence, spectrum, and severity of allergic diseases between developing and developed countries and between subpopulations within single countries. These discrepancies likely result from a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. However, the precise nature of the contribution of ethnicity to genetic differences in the predisposition to allergic disease is not yet fully understood. In particular, there is a paucity of literature regarding the genetic determinants of allergic disease in people of black African origin with little or no genetic admixture.

Objective

We aimed to analyze associations between 27 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and allergy phenotypes in the local Xhosa population.

Methods

A convenience sample of 213 Xhosa teenagers was enrolled at a local high school. Phenotypic data were collected in the form of a symptom questionnaire, skin prick tests for common food and aeroallergens, total serum IgE, and IgE toAscaris lumbricoides. In addition, genotyping was performed to establish the prevalence of putative pro‐inflammatory alleles.

Results

We demonstrated several significant associations between polymorphisms and allergy phenotypes. In particular, 2 polymorphisms in theIL‐10 gene (IL10 ‐592A>C andIL10 ‐1082A>G) and 1 in theIL‐4 gene (IL4 ‐589C>T) showed multiple associations with allergic sensitization and asthma phenotypes. Other polymorphisms, across a multitude of genes with discrepant functions, showed less consistent associations.

Conclusion

This study represents an important first step in genotype/phenotype association in this population. Further research is required to confirm or refute our findings.
The onset of the Messinian salinity crisis in the deep Eastern Mediterranean basin
Authors: Manzi Vinicio , Gennari Rocco , Lugli Stefano , Persico Davide , Reghizzi Matteo , Roveri Marco , Schreiber B. Charlotte , Calvo Ran , Gavrieli Ittai , Gvirtzman Zohar
Published: January 2018

Astronomical tuning of the Messinian pre‐salt succession in the Levant Basin allows for the first time the reconstruction of a detailed chronology of the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) events in deep setting and their correlation with marginal records that supports the CIESM () 3‐stage model. Our main conclusions are (1) MSC events were synchronous across marginal and deep basins, (2) MSC onset in deep basins occurred at 5.97 Ma, (3) only foraminifera‐barren, evaporite‐free shales accumulated in deep settings between 5.97 and 5.60 Ma, (4) deep evaporites (anhydrite and halite) deposition started later, at 5.60 Ma and (5) new and published 87Sr/86Sr data indicate that during all stages, evaporites precipitated from the same water body in all the Mediterranean sub‐basins. The wide synchrony of events and 87Sr/86Sr homogeneity implies inter‐sub‐basin connection during the whole MSC and is not compatible with large sea‐level fall and desiccation of the Mediterranean.
The relevance of the mesosomal internal structures to the phylogeny of Augochlorini bees (Hymenoptera: Halictinae)
Authors: Meira Odair M. , Gonçalves Rodrigo B.
Published: January 2018

The use of internal skeletal structures is valuable to phylogenetic reconstruction within Hymenoptera; however, these structures were not further investigated for Augochlorini. Previous phylogenetic studies of Augochlorini based only on external morphology were poorly resolved. The objectives of this work are to explore the comparative morphology of internal structures of the mesosoma and to evaluate their potential as information sources for the phylogenetic relationships within the tribe. The internal structures of thePseudaugochlora graminea(Fabricius, 1804) mesosoma are described in detail and compared with 16 other genera. We propose 24 new character statements for the Augochlorini phylogeny based on internal structures of mesosoma. Prosternum, propleuron and meso/metafurca provided a great number of informative characters. On the other hand, the mesophragma, metanotum and propodeum were less variable. The monophyly of Augochlorini and of all genus groups was corroborated in a parsimony analysis of internal and external morphological characters. Characters derived from internal structures provided the first‐known morphological synapomorphies for the clades:Megaloptidiagroup + others,Neocorynuragroup + others andAugochloragroup +Megaloptagroup. These characters helped to elucidate the evolution of the group when analysed together with external morphological characters.
From Asymmetric to Polycentric Development: Pattern, Distribution and Stakeholder Analysis of Community Empowerment Program in Batu, Indonesia
Authors: Kusumastuti Ayu , Izana Nyimas Nadya
Published: January 2018

This article discuss at investigating the patterns, distribution, and stakeholders involved in the community empowerment program in Batu, East Java, Indonesia. By using the combination of Arc GIS (Geographic Information System) and Stakeholder Analysis, the community empowerment in Batu shows pragmatic and autocratic empowerment patterns. Besides, the community empowerment program in Batu is divided into 2 categories, namely exist/receive and does not exist/does not receive. The existing condition of empowerment program spreads unevenly. To deal with the issue, it is important to consider the Polycentric Development, which allows each region to have a Village Empowerment Center for equitable development. The city government has so far been the most dominant stakeholders in the empowerment program in Batu. Nevertheless, there are many other stakeholders starting to appear, such as private sectors and NGO, actors/individuals and media contributions, and universities. For recommendation, Government, private sectors, and non-governmental organizations can accommodate the principles of psychological empowerment, so that the empowerment is not only seen as a pragmatic-authoritarian impression. This principle is important because it can emotionally (intrapersonal) see someone’s capacity to bring influence in making social changes and decisions. Communities as people who are exposed to empowerment programs need to actively increase participation. The next researcher can emphasize the stakeholder analysis on the collaboration and social networking patterns among them.
Comparison of Numerical Combustion Models for Hydrogen and Hydrogen-Rich Syngas Applied for Dry-Low-Nox-Micromix-Combustion
Authors: Funke Harald H. W. , Beckmann Nils , Keinz Jan , Abanteriba Sylvester
Published: January 2018

The Dry-Low-NOx (DLN) Micromix combustion technology has been developed as low emission combustion principle for industrial gas turbines fueled with hydrogen or syngas. The combustion process is based on the phenomenon of jet-in-crossflow-mixing (JICF). Fuel is injected perpendicular into the air-cross-flow and burned in a multitude of miniaturized, diffusion-like flames. The miniaturization of the flames leads to a significant reduction of NOx emissions due to the very short residence time of reactants in the flame. In the Micromix research approach, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses are validated toward experimental results. The combination of numerical and experimental methods allows an efficient design and optimization of DLN Micromix combustors concerning combustion stability and low NOx emissions. The paper presents a comparison of several numerical combustion models for hydrogen and hydrogen-rich syngas. They differ in the complexity of the underlying reaction mechanism and the associated computational effort. The performance of a hybrid eddy-break-up (EBU) model with a one-step global reaction is compared to a complex chemistry model and a flamelet generated manifolds (FGM) model, both using detailed reaction schemes for hydrogen or syngas combustion. Validation of numerical results is based on exhaust gas compositions available from experimental investigation on DLN Micromix combustors. The conducted evaluation confirms that the applied detailed combustion mechanisms are able to predict the general physics of the DLN-Micromix combustion process accurately. The FGM method proved to be generally suitable to reduce the computational effort while maintaining the accuracy of detailed chemistry.
The Temperature-Dependent Ideal Shear Strength of Solid Single Crystals
Authors: Cheng Tianbao , Fang Daining , Yang Yazheng
Published: January 2018

Knowledge of the ideal shear strength of solid single crystals is of fundamental importance. However, it is very hard to determine this quantity at finite temperatures. In this work, a theoretical model for the temperature-dependent ideal shear strength of solid single crystals is established in the view of energy. To test the drawn model, the ideal shear properties of Al, Cu, and Ni single crystals are calculated and compared with that existing in the literature. The study shows that the ideal shear strength first remains approximately constant and then decreases almost linearly as temperature changes from absolute zero to melting point. As an example of application, the “brittleness parameter” of solids at elevated temperatures is quantitatively characterized for the first time.
Mechanical Properties of Arterial Elastin With Water Loss
Authors: Wang Yunjie , Hahn Jacob , Zhang Yanhang
Published: January 2018

Elastin is a peculiar elastomer in that it requires water to maintain resilience, and its mechanical properties are closely associated with the immediate aqueous environment. The bulk, extra- and intrafibrillar water plays important roles in both elastic and viscoelastic properties of elastin. In this study, a two-stage liquid–vapor method was developed to investigate the effects of water loss on the mechanical properties of porcine aortic elastin. The tissue samples started in a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution at their fully hydrated condition, with a gravimetric water content of 370±36%. The hydration level was reduced by enclosing the tissue in dialysis tubing and submerging it in polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution at concentrations of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 45% w/v, which reduced the water content of the samples to 258±34%, 224±20%, 109±9%, and 58±3%, respectively. The samples were then transferred to a humidity chamber to maintain the hydration level while the samples underwent equi-biaxial tensile and stress relaxation tests. The concentration of 10% PEG treatment induced insignificant changes in tissue dimensions and stiffness, indicating that the removal of bulk water has less effect on elastin. Significant increases in tangent modulus were observed after 20% and 30% PEG treatment due to the decreased presence of extrafibrillar water. Elastin treated with 45% PEG shows a very rigid behavior as most of the extrafibrillar water is eliminated. These results suggest that extrafibrillar water is crucial for elastin to maintain its elastic behavior. It was also observed that the anisotropy of elastin tends to decrease with water loss. An increase in stress relaxation was observed for elastin treated with 30% PEG, indicating a more viscous behavior of elastin when the amount of extrafibrillar water is significantly reduced. Results from this study shed light on the close association between the bulk, extra- and intrafibrillar water pools and the mechanics of elastin.
Modeling and Analysis of Web Span Tension Dynamics Considering Thermal and Viscoelastic Effects in Roll-to-Roll Manufacturing
Authors: Jabbar Kadhim A. , Pagilla Prabhakar R.
Published: January 2018

A governing equation for web tension in a span considering thermal and viscoelastic effects is developed in this paper. The governing equation includes thermal strain induced by web temperature change and assumes viscoelastic material behavior. A closed-form expression for temperature distribution in the moving web is derived, which is utilized to obtain thermal strain. A model for web tension in a multispan roll-to-roll system can be developed using this governing equation. To evaluate the governing equation, measured data from an industrial web process line are compared with data from model simulations. Since the viscoelastic behavior of web materials is affected by the web temperature change, elevated temperature creep, and stress-relaxation experiments are conducted to determine the temperature-dependent viscoelastic parameters of the utilized viscoelastic model. Comparisons of the measured data with model simulation data are presented and discussed. An analysis of the web tension disturbance propagation behavior is also provided to compare transport behavior of elastic and viscoelastic materials.