bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VMXi: a fully automated, fully remote, high-flux in situ macromolecular crystallography beamline
Authors: Sanchez-Weatherby Juan , Sandy James , Mikolajek Halina , Lobley Carina M. C. , Mazzorana Marco , Kelly Jon , Preece Geoff , Littlewood Rich , Sørensen Thomas L.-M.
Published: November 2018

VMXi is a new high-flux microfocus macromolecular crystallography beamline at Diamond Light Source. The beamline, dedicated to fully automated and fully remote data collection of macromolecular crystals in situ, allows rapid screening of hundreds of crystallization plates from multiple user groups. Its main purpose is to give fast feedback at the complex stages of crystallization and crystal optimization, but it also enables data collection of small and delicate samples that are particularly difficult to harvest using conventional cryo-methods, crystals grown in the lipidic cubic phase, and allows for multi-crystal data collections in drug discovery programs. The beamline is equipped with two monochromators: one with a narrow band-pass and fine energy resolution (optimal for regular oscillation experiments), and one with a wide band-pass and a high photon flux (optimal for fast screening). The beamline has a state-of-the-art detector and custom goniometry that allows fast data collection. This paper describes the beamline design, current status and future plans.
Application of virtual flight test framework with derivative design optimization
Authors: Park Hyeong-Uk , Chung Joon , Kwon Ohyun
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is a development of a virtual flight test framework with derivative design optimization. Aircraft manufactures and engineers have been putting significant effort into the design process to lower the cost of development and time to a minimum. In terms of flight tests and aircraft certification, implementing simulation and virtual test techniques may be a sufficient method in achieving these goals. In addition to simulation and virtual test, a derivative design can be implemented to satisfy different market demands and technical changes while reducing development cost and time.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a derivative design optimization was applied to Expedition 350, a small piston engine powered aircraft developed by Found Aircraft in Canada. A derivative that changes the manned aircraft to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for payload delivery was considered. An optimum configuration was obtained while enhancing the endurance of the UAV. The multidisciplinary design optimization module of the framework represents the optimized configuration and additional parameters for the simulator. These values were implemented in the simulator and generated the aircraft model for simulation. Two aircraft models were generated for the flight test.

Findings

The optimization process delivered the UAV derivative of Expedition E350, and it had increased endurance up to 21.7 hours. The original and optimized models were implemented into virtual flight test. The cruise performance exhibited less than 10 per cent error on cruise performance between the original model and Pilots Operating Handbook (POH). The dynamic stability of original and optimized models was tested by checking Phugoid, short period, Dutch roll and spiral roll modes. Both models exhibited stable dynamic stability characteristics.

Practical implications

The original Expedition 350 was generated to verify the accuracy of the simulation data by comparing its result with actual flight test data. The optimized model was generated to evaluate the optimization results. Ultimately, the virtual flight test framework with an aircraft derivative design was proposed in this research. The additional module for derivative design optimization was developed and its results were implemented to commercial off-the-shelf simulators.

Originality/value

This paper proposed the application of UAV derivative design optimization for the virtual flight test framework. The methodology included the optimization of UAV derivative utilizing MDO and virtual flight testing of an optimized result with a flight simulator.
Company records in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Pui King
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the significance of company record for journalist when investigating projects relating to conflict of interest that occurs in Hong Kong and in and connected with China.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes what company records are available, and how they are accessible for the public in Hong Kong. It then compares with the company record accessibility in China. The paper uses investigative projects done by the author and other journalists to illustrate how the records are significant. Some of the investigative projects that are related to China are used to illuminate the importance for the company record in Hong Kong for investigating issues in China.

Findings

Hong Kong maintains an efficient access to the company record that benefits the journalists for probing into the issues of conflict of interest. This efficient system has faced threats when the government proposed to withdraw some of the important records from the general public access.

Originality/value

This paper will be of interest to journalists and journalism students and scholars who are interested to know the practical uses of company records. Policymakers will also learn from this paper that a restriction in the public access to the company record will make a huge impact to the justice-seeking journalist work.
Legal issues related to libraries: a study of cases filed in Indian courts
Authors: Patel Hiral , Hanumappa Anilkumar
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify various legal issues that affect libraries in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The method adopted in this study was to identify and analyze all cases filed in the Indian Supreme Court, High Courts and Tribunals and Commissions and reported in the Westlaw India database for the 10-year period from 2008 to 2017.

Findings

Among the identified cases that were related to libraries or library professionals, a large majority of them were issues related to service or employment such as pay scales, promotion, age of superannuation and service termination. There were very few cases related to library work, such as library access, services provided and copyright.

Research limitations/implications

The current study is based on study of cases that have been reported and mentioned in Westlaw India Legal Database and occurring during the limited period from 2008 to 2017. The implications of the study are manifold, with the main implication being the urgent need to introduce basic legal education and training to library professionals. The other implication is the need to further research in this domain due to lack of sufficient studies on the topic and enrich the library and information science (LIS) literature.

Originality/value

This study would not only help create awareness about legal issues related to libraries and library professionals but also help in understanding the main areas of litigation involving libraries and library professionals. The study also makes a case for introduction of basic legal education for LIS professionals. The paper adopts a novel research approach that can be replicated by researchers in other countries to enable international comparisons.
Semantic matching of job seeker to vacancy: a bidirectional approach
Authors: Chala Sisay Adugna , Ansari Fazel , Fathi Madjid , Tijdens Kea
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework of an automatic bidirectional matching system that measures the degree of semantic similarity of job-seeker qualifications and skills, against the vacancy provided by employers or job-agents.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a framework of bidirectional jobseeker-to-vacancy matching system. Using occupational data from various sources such as the WageIndicator web survey, International Standard Classification of Occupations, European Skills, Competences, Qualifications, and Occupations as well as vacancy data from various open access internet sources and job seekers information from social networking sites, the authors apply machine learning techniques for bidirectional matching of job vacancies and occupational standards to enhance the contents of job vacancies and job seekers profiles. The authors also apply bidirectional matching of job seeker profiles and vacancies, i.e., semantic matching vacancies to job seekers and vice versa in the individual level. Moreover, data from occupational standards and social networks were utilized to enhance the relevance (i.e. degree of similarity) of job vacancies and job seekers, respectively.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights of increase in job vacancy advertisements on the selected jobs – Internet of Things – with respect to other job vacancies, and identifies the evolution of job profiles and its effect on job vacancies announcements in the era of Industry 4.0. In addition, the paper shows the gap between job seeker interests and available jobs in the selected job area.

Research limitations/implications

Due to limited data about jobseekers, the research results may not guarantee high quality of recommendation and maturity of matching results. Therefore, further research is required to test if the proposed system works for other domains as well as more diverse data sets.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates how online jobseeker-to-vacancy matching can be improved by use of semantic technology and the integration of occupational standards, web survey data, and social networking data into user profile collection and matching.
Local horizontal network membership for accelerated global market reach
Authors: Ryan Paul , Evers Natasha , Smith Adele , Andersson Svante
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain how some born global firms can leverage the rich social capital in their local (home country) horizontal network for accelerated international market entry and growth. Horizontal networks warrant separate attention from their vertical counterparts, which, along with those focussed on external international contexts, dominate most network studies in the realm of born global research.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilises a multi-level qualitative approach in the study of a multi-firm population of animators in Ireland that, due to the small domestic market for their product, needed to pursue global customers from inception. The case study domain was purposely selected as a critical exemplar of a local horizontal network operating in a highly globalised industry. The authors collected data through in-depth interviews with 16 company founders. This primary interview data were complemented by interviews with staff at the apposite industry association and triangulated with secondary data on the local and global industry conditions, members’ international successes and awards.

Findings

The results demonstrate how active membership of a local horizontal network can be leveraged for the acquisition of international market knowledge and customers for born global ventures. This arises from the sharing of collective market knowledge and communal global customer information within the network to mutual benefit.

Originality/value

Although limited by the specific conditions in this highly globalised, non-competitive industry context, this study is unique in that it finds that cooperative interpersonal and inter-firm relationships embedded in a local horizontal social network, and mediated in part by an institutional support actor, emerge as important levers for a born global’s accelerated acquisition of foreign market knowledge and of global customers.
Good news, bad news, and fake news
Authors: Buschman John
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Library and Information Science (LIS) has seen an explosion of responses to fake news in the aftermath of the 2016 US election, political in nature, eschewing “neutrality” supporting democracy. The purpose of this paper is to trace the definition of fake news, the challenges, the roots of recent respondes to fake news, notes that the theoretical understanding of democracy must keep pace with these efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual analysis of the LIS literature concerning fake news and its underlying themes; unpacking of actually existing democracy, re-linked to LIS practices.

Findings

Democracy does not require a space cleared of distorting claims but spaces suited to grappling with them, a call to address fake news, and not simply a matter of clearing up information sources; librarians should prepared to engage at the next level. Libraries stand for the proposition that there is more-true information which is worth accessing, organizing, etc., and for inclusion. Whether explicitly political or not, the imaginative uses to which libraries are put do enrich civil society and the public sphere. Libraries help to counter fake news both through specific educative actions aimed at it and as broadly educative institutions with a coherent notion of their relationship to informational discernment in democracy.

Originality/value

LIS discourse on fake news has value, and references democracy, but assumes a set of traditional relationships between informing, libraries and democracy. This paper goes at both the lesser role of informing and highlights the (arguably) greater social role of libraries in democratic society.
Scheduling stored combat load retrieval
Authors: Smith William
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to raise awareness of a potential planning pitfall and provide recommendations on how to assess and improve upon current practices. In potential conflict areas, such as the Korean Theater of Operations (KTO), military forces are required to store a portion of their ammunition combat load within depots and ammunition supply points under the control of a servicing ammunition company. This necessitates a lengthy retrieval process, as the ammunition company does not have enough resources to serve all customers simultaneously.

Design/methodology/approach

The stored combat load (SCL) retrieval process is modeled as a parallel machine scheduling problem and simulated using synthetic requirements. The current system of retrieval is contrasted against a proposed alternate system through a series of simulations scaled across three factors: number of ammunition company Soldiers, number of customer units and number of magazines.

Findings

The proposed alternate system demonstrates a significant potential for reducing the makespan of the SCL retrieval process when more than half of the magazines store SCL for multiple customers and there are more than five customers per Soldier.

Originality/value

Transitioning military units from a peacetime standing to full combat readiness as quickly as possible is of immense value within the KTO and other hostile areas with established troops not actively engaged in combat.
Halal certification compliance and its effects on companies’ innovative and market performance
Authors: Salindal Normia Akmad
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of halal certification on innovative and market business performance of halal-certified food companies in the Philippines. Through this empirical study, halal-registered and about-to-register companies would have a wider perspective and a realistic view on what to expect from halal certification. The study also hopes to enrich halal certification literature and contribute further to the better understanding of the relationship between halal certification and the business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical study primarily uses a quantitative approach in analyzing the relationship between halal certification and the business performance in terms of innovative and market performance. The primary data are gathered through a survey involving 211 food companies (141 halal-certified and 70 non-halal-certified). The results are analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling and independent sample t-test.

Findings

First, the analysis highlights that halal certification significantly affects innovative performance of halal-certified food companies. Second, the improvements in innovative performance lead to market performance improvements. Third, innovative performance fully mediates the relationship between halal certification and market performance. Finally, halal-certified food companies and non-halal-certified food companies have significant difference in terms of innovative performance and market performance.

Research limitations/implications

First, the population of this study consisted of only food companies in the Philippines listed in the Bureau of Product and Standard. Second, only the respective quality management representatives of the responding companies were the main respondent. Third, the samples used are from Philippines only. Therefore, the ability to generalize the reported results to all types of industry is restricted. To generalize the results of this study, additional research is desired to test the suggested model in various countries where Muslims are minority.

Practical implications

Understanding the impact of halal certification and its business value through empirical study should provide “about to be registered organizations” a wider perspective and a realistic view on what to expect after halal certification. It will provide factual evidences that may aid halal-certified companies in decision-making with respect to halal certification and whether it complicates or compliments their organizations’ business.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, no research has yet been conducted to investigate the impact of halal certification on business performance in the Philippines. This study, therefore, fills the gap in the research area. Through this empirical study, halal-registered and about-to-register organizations would have a wider perspective and a realistic view on what to expect from halal certification.
Promoting library and information services in a digital age in Zimbabwe
Authors: Chiparausha Blessing , Chigwada Josiline Phiri
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This study aims to demonstrate how librarians in Zimbabwe are promoting library and information services in a digital environment.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire administered using SurveyMonkey was used to gather data from the participants who comprised 14 academic, one public, three school and three special librarians.

Findings

The study confirms that there is competition for the attention of the citizens who have social media, television, social life, work, family life, education, and so on before them. Despite the challenges being faced, librarians in the country are prepared to promote their services and are therefore using a number of strategies to promote the use of library and information services.

Originality/value

Promoting library and information services is important considering the waning reading culture in Zimbabwe. The paper recommends possible ways of promoting reading culture in the digital age through the use of library and information services.
Integral drinking water management model in Iztapalapa, Mexico City
Authors: Silva Rodríguez de San Miguel Jorge Alejandro , Lambarry-Vilchis Fernando , Trujillo Flores Mara Maricela
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design a model to improve drinking water management in Iztapalapa, Mexico City from the perspective of managers and users of the service.

Design/methodology/approach

The research question was what elements should an integrated drinking water management model contain to improve drinking water management in Iztapalapa, Mexico City? The research design involved a mixed approach under document analysis, application of semi -structured interviews to four managers of drinking water and measuring perceived service quality and user satisfaction in 360 service users. It included concurrent validity and confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

The integral drinking water management model is a multidimensional factorially confirmed construct, qualitatively conformed by nine management dimensions, four of perceived quality and three of service satisfaction from home users.

Originality/value

The study fills the gap of little research on drinking water from the perspective of managers and users of the service in a valid and reliable way in Iztapalapa, Mexico City, as no similar research has proposed an integral drinking water management model with the variables used in this research. The model can be applied by following the recommendations to improve water management, which contemplates Mexico’s levels of government to reform the regulations that fragments the management, and taking the budget into profitable activities that support the infrastructure and new water harvesting projects.
Simple correlations for calculating NHTPB enthalpy of formation through molecular structures
Authors: Ghaieni Hamid Reza , Tavangar Saeed , Ebrahimzadeh Qhomi Mohammad Moein
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present simple correlation for calculating nitrated hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (NHTPB) enthalpy of formation.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses multiple linear regression methods.

Findings

The proposed correlation has determination coefficient 0.96. The correlation has root mean square deviation and the average absolute deviations values 53.4 and 46.1 respectively.

Originality/value

The predictive power of correlation is checked by cross-validation method (R2=0.96,

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On the integration of manufacturing strategy: deconstructing Hoshin Kanri
Authors: Thürer Matthias , Maschek Thomas , Fredendall Lawrence , Gianiodis Peter , Stevenson Mark , Deuse Jochen
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that Hoshin Kanri has the potential to integrate the operations strategy literature into a coherent structure. Hoshin Kanri’s planning process is typically described as a top-down cascading of goals, starting with the senior management’s goals and moving to the lowest organizational level. The authors argue that this misrepresents a firm’s actual cognitive processes in practice because it implies reasoning from the effects to the cause, and assumes a direct causal relationship between what the customer wants and what is realizable by the system.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is conceptual, based on abductive reasoning and the literature.

Findings

The actual strategic thought process executed in an organization consists of three iterative processes: (i) a translation process that derives the desired customer attributes from customer/stakeholder data, (ii) a process of causal inference that predicts realizable customer attributes from a possible system design and (iii) an integrative process of strategic choices whereby (i) and (ii) are aligned. Each element relies on different cognitive processes (logical relation, causal relation and choice).

Research limitations/implications

By aligning the thought and planning processes, the competing concepts of manufacturing strategy are integrated into a coherent structure.

Practical implications

Different techniques have to be applied for each of the three elements. As each element relies on different cognitive processes (logical relation, causal relation and choice), the use of unifying tools (e.g. in the form of matrices, as often presented in the literature) is inappropriate.

Originality/value

This is the first study to focus on the thought processes underpinning manufacturing strategy.
Work-personal life conflict and burnout in contact centers
Authors: Geraldes Daniela , Madeira Ema , Carvalho Vânia Sofia , Chambel Maria José
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the moderating role of affective commitment in the relationship between work-personal life conflict (WPLC) and burnout in the contact center environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained through the participation of a sample of Portuguese employees (n=2,055) of a large company in the contact center sector. Data were analyzed using the Process tool.

Findings

The results support the existence of a positive relationship between both dimensions of WPLC (i.e. time and strain) and burnout (i.e. exhaustion and cynicism). Moreover, the study confirms that the affective commitment moderates the relationship between both dimensions of WPLC and cynicism, buffering these relationships.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional design and the reliance on self-report measures are the main limitations of this study, although no causality was claimed and method biases were controlled.

Practical implications

Contact center managers should develop human resources practices that aid employees to conciliate work and life. Furthermore, these work-life balance practices should be used together with high involvement human resources practices that promote employees’ affective commitment.

Originality/value

This study provides evidence for the need to reconceptualize the traditional work-family conflict, stressing the importance of considering the interference between domains of life, especially in sectors that tend to have young employees.
Being and becoming a “good” qualitative researcher? Liminality and the risk of limbo
Authors: Pagan Victoria
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to re-conceptualise “good” qualitative research by discussing the intersection between “good” qualitative research and different identity states of “good” qualitative researcher. It uses the anthropological concept of liminality and related concept of limbo to help illustrate the implications of this intersection.

Design/methodology/approach

A reflexive and personal confessional account is provided of the author’s “living in” the liminal transition of the identity states from full-time PhD student to full-time early career researcher, questioning the author’s experiences in relation to others and the implications for the social construction of “good” qualitative research.

Findings

“Good” qualitative research is not just what to do but how to be. “PhD student” is a defined and temporary transitional liminal identity state. It has a clear point of separation (acceptance and registration of student status) and aggregation (“good” qualitative research signed of through thesis and viva). Contrasting with this is the “early career researcher” identity state, any point of aggregation towards “established researcher” is predicated on the unpredictability of publication and delivering impact indicators.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates unsettling and in-betweenness of “good” qualitative research intersecting with the experience and composition of being a “good” qualitative researcher in the academy. It is important for debates regarding the qualities of academic development from PhD student to established researcher.
Authenticity in business sustainability
Authors: Mahsud Rubiná , Imanaka Jessica Ludescher , Prussia Gregory E.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper critiques existing approaches to business sustainability and recommends a new course of action. This paper focuses the critique on sustainable business practices (SBP) and gaining sustainable competitive advantage (SCA), as they have increasingly been the focus of strategy and management scholars.

Design/methodology/approach

The relative progress in the strategy and management domains is reviewed with regard to incorporation of concepts such as sustainability, corporate social responsibility and stakeholder theory. The defense industry is explored as a paradigmatic case of inauthentic sustainability.

Findings

Findings reveal that existing constructs lack authentic sustainability, largely on account of the tendency of these discourses to privilege select stakeholders in the developed world. Strategic management research needs to evolve further to accommodate a broader, systemic and global focus that will yield authenticity in business sustainability. Mutual benefit for all stakeholders necessitates a paradigm shift in our thinking from competition to collaboration and creation.

Practical implications

When SBP and SCA get applied to certain industries, such as defense, they prop up a form of inauthentic sustainability. All global stakeholders must be included in sustainability frameworks, and some businesses, by their very definition, should not be sustained.

Social implications

Mutual benefit for all stakeholders necessitates a paradigm shift in people’s thinking from competition to collaboration and creation. This paper suggests that Blue Ocean Strategy (BOS) can provide the requisite direction for future strategy scholarship so as to overcome existing limitations with SPB and SCA.

Originality/value

This paper suggests that BOS can provide the requisite direction for future strategy scholarship so as to overcome existing limitations with SPB and SCA.
A key floral scent component (β‐trans‐bergamotene) drives pollinator preferences independently of pollen rewards in seep monkeyflower
Authors: Haber Ariela I. , Sims James W. , Mescher Mark C. , De Moraes Consuelo M. , Carr David E.
Published: November 2018

Floral odours play an important role in attracting insect pollinators. Because pollinators visit flowers to obtain pollen and nectar rewards, they should prefer floral odour profiles associated with the highest‐rewarding flowers (honest signals). In previous work, bumblebees exhibited a preference for flowers from outbred over inbredMimulus guttatusplants. Pollen is the only floral reward inM. guttatus, and pollen viability (a reliable indicator of protein content) is reduced in inbred plants. Yet, differences in pollen viability did not explain the observed preferences.

In this study, we examined the floral volatile profiles of inbred and outbredM. guttatusto identify inbreeding effects and associations between volatile compounds and the number of viable pollen grains per flower, designated “PRQ” (pollen reward quality). We also conducted pairwise choice tests withBombus impatiensto evaluate the ability of bees to discriminate between odours of rewarding and non‐rewarding flowers and to determine whether bumblebee preferences are explained by differences in the floral odours of inbred and outbred plants.

Inbred plants exhibited reduced emission of β‐trans‐bergamotene, the second‐most abundant compound in the volatile blend of outbred plants. Furthermore, pollen and fertile anthers emitted nonadecane. Six other compounds in the floral blend were positively correlated withPRQ. There was no overlap between compounds affected by inbreeding and compounds associated withPRQ.

Even when given prior experience foraging onM. guttatus, bumblebees did not distinguish between the floral odours of rewarding and non‐rewarding outbred plants. However, they preferred floral odours from non‐rewarding outbred plants over rewarding inbred plants. Bumblebees without prior experience of flowers preferred volatile blends with higher versus lower amounts of β‐trans‐bergamotene.

Taken together, these results suggest that the volatile emissions ofM. guttatusprovide reliable indicators of pollen rewards (potential honest signals), but that the preference of bumblebees for outbred plants is not driven by these cues but rather by a sensory bias for β‐trans‐bergamotene. This may represent a subtle form of deceit‐pollination that allows plants to attract pollinators while minimizing investment in costly rewards.

Aplain language summaryis available for this article.
Role of melanocortin 4 receptor in hypertension induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia
Authors: do Carmo Jussara M. , da Silva Alexandre A. , Moak Sydney P. , da Silva Fernanda S. , Spradley Frank T. , Hall John E.
Published: November 2018

Aim

We previously demonstrated that central nervous system (CNS) melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4R) play a key role in regulating blood pressure (BP) in some conditions associated with increased SNS activity, including obesity. In this study, we examined whether activation of CNS MC4R contributes to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)‐induced hypertension and ventilatory responses to hypercapnia.

Methods

Rats were instrumented with an intracerebroventricular (ICV) cannula in the lateral cerebral ventricle for continuous infusion of MC4R antagonist (SHU‐9119) and telemetry probes for measuring mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR). Untreated and SHU‐9119‐treated rats as well as obese and lean MC4R‐deficient rats were exposed to CIH for 7‐18 consecutive days.

Results

Chronic intermittent hypoxia reduced cumulative food intake by 18 ± 5 g while MAP and HR increased by 10 ± 3 mm Hg and 9 ± 5 bpm in untreated rats. SHU‐9119 increased food intake (from 15 ± 1 to 46 ± 3 g) and prevented CIH‐induced reduction in food intake. CIH‐induced hypertension was not attenuated by MC4R antagonism (average increase of 10 ± 1 vs 9 ± 1 mm Hg for untreated and SHU‐9119 treated rats). In obese MC4R‐deficient rats, CIH for 7 days raised BP by 11 ± 4 mm Hg. However, when MC4R‐deficient rats were food restricted to prevent obesity, CIH‐induced hypertension was attenuated by 32%. We also found that MC4R deficiency was associated with impaired ventilatory responses to hypercapnia independently of obesity.

Conclusion

These results show that obesity and the CNS melanocortin system interact in complex ways to elevate BP during CIH and that MC4R may be important in the ventilatory responses to hypercapnia.
Laparoscopic repair of secondary perineal hernia with coverage by the mobilized cecum
Authors: Kato Shoko , Ishiguro Seiji , Komatsu Shunichiro , Matsumura Tatsuki , Yasui Kohei , Komaya Kenichi , Saito Takuya , Arikawa Takashi , Kaneko Kenitiro , Sano Tsuyoshi
Published: November 2018

The incidence of secondary perineal hernia (SPH) has increased since the introduction of extralevator abdominoperineal resection and laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection. Currently, laparoscopic mesh repair is the usual procedure. Here, we demonstrate a repair of SPH without mesh that uses the mobilized cecum to cover the pelvic hernial orifice. An 83‐year‐old man complained of discomfort when sitting for long periods. He was status post laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection and was diagnosed with SPH. Hernia repair was performed. After transperitoneal adhesiolysis in the inferior pelvis, the right colon was laparoscopically mobilized, and the pelvic orifice was covered by suturing the cecum to the pelvic brim. The perineal skin was managed with negative pressure wound therapy. The postoperative course was uneventful. There has been no sign of recurrent herniation for 12 months. This method of SPH repair is simple to perform and avoids mesh‐related complications.
Robust regression: Testing global hypotheses about the slopes when there is multicollinearity or heteroscedasticity
Authors: Wilcox Rand R.
Published: November 2018

A well‐known concern regarding the usual linear regression model is multicollinearity. As the strength of the association among the independent variables increases, the squared standard error of regression estimators tends to increase, which can seriously impact power. This paper examines heteroscedastic methods for dealing with this issue when testing the hypothesis that all of the slope parameters are equal to zero via a robust ridge estimator that guards against outliers among the dependent variable. Included are results related to leverage points, meaning outliers among the independent variables. In various situations, the proposed method increases power substantially.
Proposed revision of N categories to the 8th edition of the AJCC‐TNM staging system for non‐surgical esophageal squamous cell cancer
Authors: Hu Kai , Kang Ning , Liu Yang , Guo Dong , Jing Wang , Lu Jiamei , Tan Tianmeng , Lv Caitiao , Deng Yuyan , Long Jianxiong , Wang Rensheng , Yu Jinming
Published: November 2018

The 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Tumor‐Node‐Metastasis (AJCC‐TNM) staging system for esophageal cancer (EC) retained the definition of N categories based on the number of metastatic lymph nodes (LN). However, it is difficult to accurately determine the number of metastatic LN without surgery. This study aimed to propose a revision to the N categories of the 8th edition AJCC‐TNM staging system that makes staging easier to perform and better represents the prognosis of non‐surgical esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC). We retrospectively reviewed the data of 336 patients with ESCC. The revised N categories were based on the anatomic regions of LN metastasis (cervix, thorax and abdomen). Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan‐Meier method and compared using the log‐rank test. Multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazard model. Survival differences were adequately discriminated when the revised N categories were used. Subgroup analyses by T stage showed significant difference in overall survival between the revised N categories. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that T stage, revised N category, age, sex and treatment modality were independent risk factors, with the revised N category being the most significant variable. The revised N categories determined in this study can be used to fill gaps in the staging system for patients with non‐surgical ESCC, which can help clinicians to make better treatment decisions and more effectively predict patient prognoses. Future large‐scale studies are required to validate these results.
Clinical Features Contributing to Cortical Thickness Changes in Chronic Migraine – A Pilot Study
Authors: Woldeamanuel Yohannes W. , DeSouza Danielle D. , Sanjanwala Bharati M. , Cowan Robert P.
Published: November 2018

Objectives

The objectives of this cross‐sectional pilot study were threefold: to identify regions of cortical thickness that differentiate chronic migraine (CM) from controls, to assess group differences in interregional cortical thickness covariance, and to determine group differences in associations between clinical variables and cortical thickness.

Background

Cortical thickness alterations in relation to clinical features have not been adequately explored in CM. Assessment of this relationship can be useful to describe cortical substrates for disease progression in migraine and to identify clinical variables that warrant management emphasis.

Methods

Thirty CM cases (mean age 40 years; male‐to‐female 1:4) and 30 sex‐matched healthy controls (mean age 40 years) were enrolled. Participants completed self‐administered and standardized questionnaires assessing headache‐related clinical features and common psychological comorbidities. T1‐weighted brain images were acquired on a 3T MRI. A whole‐brain cortical thickness analysis was performed. Additionally, correlations between all brain regions were assessed to examine interregional cortical thickness covariance. Interactions were analyzed to identify clinical variables that were significantly associated with cortical thickness.

Results

The whole brain cortical thickness analysis revealed no significant differences between CM patients and controls. However, significant associations between clinical features and cortical thickness were observed for the patients only. These associations included the right superior temporal sulcus (R2 = 0.72, P = .001) and the right insula (R2 = 0.71, P = .002) with distinct clinical variables ie, longer history of CM, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep quality, pain self‐efficacy, and somatic symptoms. Higher interregional cortical covariance was found in CM compared to controls (OR = 3.1, CI 2.10–4.56, P < .0001), such that cortical thickness between regions tended to be more correlated in patients, particularly in the temporal and frontal lobes.

Conclusion

CM patients have significantly greater cortical covariance compared to controls. Cortical thickness in CM patients was predominantly accounted for by CM duration, PTSD, and poor sleep quality, while improved pain self‐efficacy buffered cortical thickness. While it is important to address all CM features and comorbidities, it may be useful to emphasize optimizing the management of certain clinical features that contribute to cortical abnormalities including managing PTSD, early management to shorten duration of CM, and improving pain self‐efficacy and sleep quality.
The reuse of brine to enhance the ripening of marine and freshwater fish resistant to marinating
Authors: Szymczak Mariusz , Felisiak Katarzyna , Tokarczyk Grzegorz , Szymczak Barbara
Published: November 2018

Cold marinades are produced mainly from the Clupeidae fish, because meat of other fish species does not reach a desired level of ripeness in the acid‐salt environment of fresh brine. Hence, this work presents an innovative idea of reusing brine including cathepsins and peptides for marinating cod, salmon, trout, and carp. The extent of marinades ripening improvement depended on fish resistance to the marinating process. The reused brine proved best in improving the ripening of fatty fish (salmon and trout), which were qualified to the first class of resistance to marinating. In the case of cod, the reuse of brine did not elicit a satisfactory improvement in meat ripening. Therefore cod was qualified to the second class of resistance. The reuse of brine resulted in decreased values of lipid oxidation indices (except for cod) and meat hardness, and in increased scores for overall sensory evaluation and total volatile bases nitrogen value.
Changes in sensory, physicochemical, and microbiological properties of fresh captured tropical pink shrimps (Penaeus duorarum notialis) inoculated with Lactobacillusplantarum Lp6SH, Lactobacillus rhamnosus Yoba, and their cell‐free culture supernatants during storage at 4°C
Authors: Nga Ombede Sabine Ninelle , Kaktcham Pierre Marie , Seydi Malang , Zambou Ngoufack François
Published: November 2018

This study was conducted to evaluate the biopreservative potential of Lactobacillus plantarum Lp6SH (Lp6SH), Lactobacillus rhamnosus Yoba (LrYoba) and their cell‐free supernatants (CFS) on whole captured tropical pink shrimps (Penaeus duorarum notialis) during storage at 4°C for 8 days. Shrimps were inoculated with strains Lp6SH, LrYoba, their supernatants, sodium metabisulfite (2%) and stored at 4 ° C for 8 days. Sensory evaluation, physicochemical, and microbiological analyses were performed daily. Lp6SH, CFS of Lp6SH, and CFS of LrYoba were able to prolong the sensory shelf life up to 8 days. The total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) concentration was lower than the acceptable value at the end of the storage period. All the treatments reduced the number of total aerobic bacteria and fungi, and maintained the coliforms count for 2 days. Strain Lp6SH reduced the number of Staphylococci for 4 days. Based on the threshold values, the microbiological shelf life of shrimps was between 2 and 6 days at 4°C. L. plantarum Lp6SH and the CFS of L. rhamnosus Yoba could be used as natural preservatives to replace the use of sodium bisulfate in prolonging the microbiological and sensory shelf life of captured whole shrimps.

Practical applications

Microbial spoilage of raw fresh shrimps and black spots formation constitute substantial economic losses as well as serious public health problem. Due to the harmful effects of chemical preservatives, attention is paid nowadays to the search for fresh shrimp preservation methods that could obviate the use of chemicals and prevent blackspot formation. In this respect, the results of this study supported that Lactobacillus plantarum Lp6SH strain and the cell‐free supernatant of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Yoba are suitable biopreservatives that could be used to increase the safety, prevent melanosis, and extend the sensory shelf life of captured whole shrimps stored under refrigeration. After studies for their application at large scale, the fishermen and food industries can use the bacterial suspension and the cell‐free supernatant as spray or immersion solutions for the treatment of shrimps (or other seafood) prior to freezing.
Oral health is a mediator for disease severity in patients with Behçet’s disease: A multiple mediation analysis study
Authors: Yay Meral , Çelik Zülal , Aksoy Aysun , Alibaz‐Öner Fatma , Inanç Nevsun , Ergun Tülin , Direskeneli Haner , Mumcu Gonca
Published: November 2018

Objectives

The aim of the study was to examine whether oral health as an infection focus could mediate disease course in patients with Behçet's disease (BD).

Methods

In the study, oral health of 194 BD patients was examined at baseline and follow‐up periods. The reasons for last dental visits were recorded as tooth extraction or regular control visits/planned treatments at the end of follow‐up period. The Behçet's disease severity score was calculated with higher scores indicating a more severe course. Mediation analysis was carried out to assess the effects of oral health on disease severity score at follow‐up period in the study.

Results

Dental and periodontal indices were found to be higher at follow‐up visit compared to those of baseline (P < 0.05). Disease severity score was found to be higher in males (5.3 ± 2.4) compared to females (4.4 ±2.5) in the whole group (P = 0.005). Moreover, patients having tooth extraction at their last dental visit and patients with dental caries had a more severe disease course (5.4 ± 2.4; 5.5 ± 2.5) compared to others (4.2 ± 2.3; 4.4 ± 2.4; P < 0.0001). In multiple mediation analysis, disease severity score was a dependent variable and was directly mediated by male gender (B = −0.8822, P = 0.0145) and indirectly mediated through the presence of dental caries (B = 0.9509 P = 0.0110) and need of tooth extraction (B = 0.8758, P = 0.0128).

Conclusion

Both presence of dental caries and need of tooth extraction were observed to be effective mediators for a more severe disease course in BD. Therefore, better oral health should be aimed to eliminate microbial factors, which are a part of pathogenic processes.
Effect of an anxiolytic botanical containing Souroubea sympetala and Platanus occidentalis on in-vitro diazepam human cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism
Authors: Liu Rui , Dobson Corrine C , Foster Brian C , Durst Tony , Sanchez Pablo , Arnason John T , Harris Cory S
Published: November 2018

Objectives

A novel anxiolytic natural health product (NHP) containing Souroubea sympetala and Platanus occidentalis is available for the companion animal market and is currently being developed for clinical evaluation. Addressing the risk of potential NHP–drug interactions, this study investigated S. sympetala and P. occidentalis plant extracts, and their identified bioactive compounds, for effects on the activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes and the metabolism of the conventional anti-anxiety medication diazepam.

Methods

Souroubea sympetala and P. occidentalis extracts, a 1 : 1 blend of the two extracts, and five triterpenes were tested for inhibitory effects on human recombinant CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 activity using a fluorometric plate assay. Direct effects on the metabolism of diazepam were evaluated using human liver microsomes with drug and metabolite quantification by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy.

Key findings

The active substances betulinic acid (BA) and ursolic acid (UA) strongly inhibited CYP3A4 activity while UA and lupeol moderately inhibited CYP2C19. All extracts exhibited strong activity against the tested isozymes at 50–100 μg/ml. BA and all plant extracts blocked the formation of major diazepam metabolites.

Conclusions

Betulinic acid, UA and both the extracts and blended product are expected to affect the metabolism of diazepam when given in high dose.