bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Youths’ perception on cashew production towards poverty reduction
Authors: Ayinde J.O. , Opayinka A.O. , Adeniyi V.A.
Published: August 2024

The study assessed youth perception on cashew production towards reducing povertyin Osun State, Nigeria. The specific objectives are; to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the youths involved in cashew production, identify the factors that encourage the involvement of youths in cashew productionand examine the perception of youth about cashew productionin Osun State. A multistage sampling procedure was adopted to select 96 respondents and structural interview scheduled was used to collect data from the selected respondents. The data collected were subjected to descriptive analysis such as frequency counts, percentage, mean, standard deviation and inferential analysis such aschi-square analysisto test for the hypothesis.Results show that the majority (83.3%)of the youths thatinvolved incashew productionare male, with mean age of 30.94 ±2.4 years, an average farm size of 2.19 ± 0.45hectares and average annual income of ₦164,84400K± ₦41,965.40K($457.9 ± $116.6). About 53.1 percent of the respondents practice cashew farming mainly to earn a living. Findings from the study show those factorssuch as unemployment in non-agricultural sectors;favourable environment for cashew production including marketing availabilityand provide employmentopportunityamong others are motivational factors that enhances their involvement.Furthermore, source of information (χ2=32.331, p ≤0.01)),sex (χ2=7.513, p ≤0.05), marital status (χ2= 10.603, p ≤0.05)and reason for practicing cashew farming (χ2=29.766, p ≤0.05)had a positive and significant association with perception of youths towardscashew production. The study concluded that youths had a positive perception of cashew productionandrecommended among others that trainings in cashew value chainactivities should be organized by agricultural development stakeholders to promote youthinvolvement in cashew value chain activities.
Narrative Review on Role ofStreptococcus mutans in Dental Caries and Homoeopathic Intervention.
Authors: Kratika Dr. , Shinde Chetan H. , Bipin Raj NK
Published: August 2024

This study is to report on Streptococcus mutans, which is one of the important bacteria that cause dentalcaries. The prevalence of dental caries is very high and varied across India. Dental caries is a major public health problem, an urgent need of oral health educational programs.S. mutans play a central role in plaque formation.Its virulence factor can form a biofilm known as dental plaque on tooth surfaces.S. mutans is a gram-positive coccus;intake of easily fermentable carbohydrates (usually sucrose) stimulates oral bacterial growth. S. mutansPathophysiology of dental decay focused on dynamic pHphenomena that occur between the plague and enamel surface. The review study is based on the review article and preclinical studies; in vitrostudies, in vivo, clinical trialsare documentedthat antibacterial medicines are used as an antibacterial agent against S. mutans. Calcarea phosphoricais one of the frequently prescribed Homoeopathic medicines for dental disease.The use of Homoeopathic intervention is elaboratedin the present review.Databases, such as PubMed, Cochrane, Wiley, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, DOAJ were searchedand relevant articles were used for reviewing purposes. Based on the results, we recognised that further research is needed to prevent and treat dental caries with oral hygiene awareness.
Screening of Groundnut Genotypes against Spodoptera litura (Fab.) with Respect to Leaf Damage
Authors: Dudhatra Meet C. , Bharadiya A. M. , Makani Jenish D. , Barad Bhumi D.
Published: August 2024

A field experiment was conducted at Main Oilseeds Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat in 2023 during the kharif season to investigate the screening of groundnut genotypes against Spodoptera litura (Fab.) with respect to leaf damage. The field screening of thirty different genotypes of groundnut against S. litura was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with two replicationsand revealed that JVB-2597 exhibited the minimum per cent leaf damage (4.69%), while JVB-2577 recorded the maximum per cent leaf damage (9.28%). From the categorization, it can be revealed that JVB-2597, JSSP-76, JB-1572, J-108, JVB-2607 and JB-1551 are resistant to S. litura, with infestations ranging from 4.69% to 5.92% leaf damage. Conversely, JSSP-69, JB-1585, J-118, J-111 and JVB-2577 are susceptible, recording infestation levels between 8.87% to 9.28% leaf damage.
Comparative Evaluation of Three Screening Methods (Conventional, Molecular and Immunological) in the Diagnosis of Overt and Latent TB Infection in Mixed Population in Cross River State, Nigeria
Authors: M. O. Ekong, , N. N. Agbiji, , B. R. Freedman,
Published: August 2024

Challenges in TB diagnostic methods is the major global set back in the fight against TB infection, and the reason for increase in TB new cases baseline to 7.5 million in 2022. Investigating the efficiency and the sensitivity of combinational (Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB), and GeneXpert (GXPT)) TB screening methods in the detection of overt, latent and HIV co-infection in mix population was the major focus of this study. Sampling areas were; Akamkpa (AKP), Calabar Municipal (CCM) and Ogoja all in Cross River State. Three hundred and ninety (390) individuals were enrolled in the exercise, 180 concerted for TST administration, of which 128 (77.11 %) were TST Positive (TST P+), 80 (62.5 %) males and 48 (37.5 %) females. All TST tested individuals 50 (27.78 %) in AKP came out positive for TST, 38 (21.11 %) males and 12 (6.67 %) females. In CCM, 20 (11.11 %) TST P+ were male, 19 (10.56 %) females and 5 (2.78 %) negative. Of the 34 (18.89 %) tested in OGO, 17 (9.44 %) were negative (16 (8.89 males and 1 (0.56 females), only 14 (7.78 %) were TST P+ for males, with no positive TST female among them. At P = 0.05, there was no significance different in TST positivity of males to females. There was a significance increase in the rate of TST P+ cases with induration diameter (ID) 5-0, 9-13 and >13 mm across the experimented locations. This was not applicable to ID 6-9, though had a higher mean value of 20.5 ± 8.6. The research report significance AFB positive data with a two tail value of 0.19** for age 39-48 and 0.22 * for age > 59 years compare to a younger age like 18-28 years. A repeated 2 in 4 AFBHIV co-infection at lower ID of 5.0 mm were observed with a higher mean score of 10.17 ± 5.8 in OGO. The research data also shows better TB detection output with the use of combinational (TST, AFB and GXPT) screening technique. In this study, GXPT was 82.8 % sensitive in detecting TB positive cases from the 128 (71.11 %) TST P+ individuals while sputum microscopy detected 64.1 % TB P+ cases from that same poll. Again GXPT was effective in diagnosing 50.5 % TB from 210 individuals that enrolled for AFB while sputum microscopy screened 39.1 % of that number. But, the combinational sensitivity synergy was 89.5 % efficient suggesting that, this method could serve as an improve TB screening method for detection of LTBI as well as HIV co-infection with lower induration diameter. It could also serve as a better management of positive cases and ensuring early commencement of treatment.
Response of Starter Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates to Nodulation, Nitrogen Fixation, and Net Nitrogen Balance on Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the Semi-arid Tigray Region of Ethiopia
Authors: Tekulu Kinfe
Published: August 2024

For small-scale farmers in developing countries, biological nitrogen fixation through legumes is an affordable method of reducing reliance on nitrogen fertilizer. The study aimed to look at how groundnut nodulation, biological nitrogen fixation, atmospheric nitrogen, and the net nitrogen balance were affected by starter nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer dosages. The three times replicated treatments of three nitrogen levels (0, 15 and 30 kg N ha-1) and four phosphorus levels (0, 23, 46 and 69 kg P2O5 ha-1) were arranged in a factorial combination using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The results of the analysis demonstrated that, in comparison to plots without nitrogen fertilizer, the number of nodules per plant was significantly increased by the single application of nitrogen alone at a dose of 15 kg ha-1. Compared to 69 kg P2O5 ha-1, biological nitrogen fixation rose by 88.41% at 46 kg P2O5 ha-1; nonetheless, it was significantly similar to zero and 23 kg P2O5 ha-1. The nitrogen derived from the atmosphere (50.9%) was significantly higher in the control treatments. The interactive application of 15 kg of nitrogen ha-1 and zero phosphorus resulted in a significantly greater net nitrogen balance (-4 kg ha-1), whereas the co-application of 30 kg ha-1 of nitrogen and zero phosphorus resulted in the lowest measurement of net nitrogen balance. Therefore, large nitrogen fertilizer application rates are not necessary to promote BNF in groundnuts.
Sarcoidosis with Cardiac Localization: About 03 Cases
Authors: Rahmi M. , Merzouk F. , Ouarradi A. El , Habbal R.
Published: August 2024

Background: Cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis is a serious localization that needs to be recognized, that’s why we report three cases of cardiac sarcoidosis, each with a different clinical presentation.
Case Presentation:  In the first patient, cardiac involvement was revealed by exertional dyspnea and palpitations, which led to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showing 30% left ventricular dysfunction. In the second patient, cardiac localization was discovered following lipothymic malaise associated with complete atrioventricular block, for which a pacemaker was implanted. In the third patient, the workup for atypical precordialgia revealed signs of cardiac sarcoidosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abnormalities compatible with cardiac localization of sarcoidosis in the first patient, presenting with left ventricular dysfunction on TTE. In the second patient, it showed no abnormalities, while in the third, it was not performed. Positron emission tomoscintigraphy (PET/CT) in all three patients revealed signs of metabolic hyperactivity in the first and third patients. In the second patient, who presented with atrioventricular block (AVB), the scan showed no abnormalities, and the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis was based solely on the presence of atrioventricular conduction disorder. All our patients benefited from long-term corticosteroid therapy, associated with the first patient with courses of methotrexate due to the presence of left ventricular dysfunction. The latter also received background treatment for chronic heart failure. After a follow-up of 11, 4 and 2 years respectively for the first, second and third patients, the evolution was favorable, with stable left ventricular function in the first patient and no symptomatological worsening in all three patients.
Conclusion: Cardiac sarcoidosis is a serious localization that needs to be detected on the basis of a clinical workup, complemented by imaging a cardiac MRI or PET scan, in order to confirm the diagnosis and propose specific treatment.
Standardization and Nutritional Evaluation of Minor Millet Based Instant Upma Mixes
Authors: Kumari B. Anila , Roberts Tatapudi Paul Pradeepa , Jyothsna E. , Soujanya Kanneboina , Soujanya Kanneboina , Varma Riddhi
Published: August 2024

Traditional dry mix Indian foods are very popular worldwide. Upma is one of the famous breakfast foods of the southern India, is usually prepared from wheat semolina. Minor millets are a group of underutilised cereal crop with high nutritional and phytonutrient properties. The present investigation examined the quality of four minor millets, proso, barnyard, little and kodo millets for developing ready-to-cook instant upma mixes using soaking-drying, autoclaving-drying and roasting methods. The best method for processing millets into instant upma mixes was determined by the sensory quality of the product.  Based on the sensory evolution, roasted minor millet based instant upma mixes were selected for the further study. The nutritional quality of developed instant upma mixes showed that they were good source of protein (6.26-10.68%), ash (3.37-4.27%), iron (7.32-11.28mg/100g), zinc (3.65-5.73mg/100g) and phytonutrients like phenols (1.98-6.07mg GAE/100g) and tannins (0.45-0.58mg TAE/100g). Results show that instant upma mixes can be stored for up to 90 days at ambient conditions in LDPE pouches without spoilage.
Evaluation of Different Substrates in Composting for Cultivation of Agaricus bisporus under Agro-ecological Conditions of West Bengal
Authors: Shanmugaraj C. , Biswas M.K.
Published: August 2024

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of different compost substrates in the cultivation of Agaricus bisporus (button mushroom) in the lateritic belt of West Bengal, India, by assessing parameters such as spawn run period, pinhead formation, sporophore production, yield, and biological efficiency.
Study Design: A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications per treatment was implemented to ensure the reliability of statistical analysis. Differences between treatments were assessed using Duncan's multiple range tests at a 5% significance level.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in 2020 at the Mushroom Research Laboratory, within the Department of Plant Pathology, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), situated in Sriniketan, Birbhum district, West Bengal (https://visvabharati.ac.in/PalliSikshaBhavana.html).
Methodology: The Long Method of Composting was employed, utilizing various substrates including paddy straw, maize stalks, and their combinations. The experiment measured key cultivation parameters: spawn run duration, time to pinhead formation, number of sporophores, time to first harvest, yield per 8 kg compost bag, and biological efficiency. The presence of any contaminants or infestations, such as Coprinus spp., was also monitored.
Results: The compost substrate composed of a 1:1 ratio of paddy straw and maize stalks yielded the best results, with a spawn run period of 20.33 days, pinhead formation at 15.33 days, and sporophore production of 92 per 8 kg compost bag. This substrate also facilitated the earliest first harvest at 9.33 days and achieved the highest yield of 1020.00 g per 8 kg bag with a biological efficiency of 12.75%. In contrast, compost made solely from maize stalks resulted in the lowest yield (643.33 g per 8 kg bag) and biological efficiency (8.04%) and was more prone to infestation by Coprinus spp.
Conclusion: The study identifies a 1:1 mixture of paddy straw and maize stalks as the optimal substrate for Agaricus bisporus cultivation in the studied region, offering quick growth cycles and higher yields, which could benefit local mushroom producers by enhancing production efficiency.
Perikymata distribution in Homo with special reference to the Xujiayao juvenile
Authors: Xing Song , Guatelli‐Steinberg Debbie , O'Hara Mackie , Wu Xiujie , Liu Wu , Reid Donald J.
Published: June 2015

Objectives

This study investigates where the Xujiayao juvenile (I1 and C1) fits into the array of perikymata distribution patterns found within the genus Homo.

Materials and Methods

In addition to the I1 and the C1 of the Xujiayao juvenile, this study includes samples of early Homo (H. rudolfensis and H. erectus), Neandertals, early modern humans (Qafzeh), and recent modern humans from Southern Africa, Newcastle (UK), and North America (Inupiaq, AK). Three sets of analyses were undertaken, including a comparison of percentage of perikymata in the cervical half of the crown, repeated measures analysis of the percentage of total perikymata in each decile, and canonical variates analysis using both total perikymata number and the percentage of perikymata in the cervical half of the crown.

Results

The I1 and C1 of early Homo and Neandertals have a lower percentage of perikymata in the cervical half of the crown than modern human samples. Repeated measures analysis reveals clear distinctions in the distribution of perikymata between the modern human and fossil samples. Canonical variates analysis suggests greater differences between modern humans and the fossil samples than within the fossil samples, and classifies the Xujiayao teeth among modern humans.

Discussion

The present study further clarifies variation of perikymata distribution patterns within the genus Homo. The perikymata distribution of the Xujiayao juvenile tends to be more similar to that of modern humans than to either early Homo or Neandertals. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:684–693, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cellulose nanofibers from the skin of beavertail cactus, Opuntia basilaris, as reinforcements for polyvinyl alcohol
Authors: Ramezani Kakroodi Adel , Panthapulakkal Suhara , Sain Mohini , Asiri Abdullah
Published: June 2015

In this study, the skin of the beavertail cactus, Opuntia Basilaris, was used for the isolation of cellulose nanofibers using a chemo‐mechanical technique. It was shown that the skins had a relatively high cellulose content, whereas their lignin content was low. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction proved that the isolation of cellulose nanofibers from the amorphous components of the skins was performed successfully. The cactus skins were also shown to have a high content of calcium oxalate crystals. Morphological observations proved that the isolated cellulose fibers had diameters in the range of 10–50 nm. It was shown that the addition of nanofibers increased the modulus and strength of the polyvinyl alcohol matrix significantly, whereas the elongation at break decreased. Thermogravimetric analysis proved that: (i) isolated nanofibers had higher thermal stabilities than the cactus skins, and (ii) inclusion of nanofibers increased the stability of polyvinyl alcohol noticeably. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42499.
Chemical manipulation of the mTORC1 pathway in industrially relevant CHOK1 cells enhances production of therapeutic proteins
Authors: Dadehbeigi Nazanin , Dickson Alan J.
Published: June 2015

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is known as a central coordinator of protein synthesis and cell growth in response to the cellular environment. In this work, chemical manipulation of mTORC1 pathway was employed to enhance mAb production as well as increase understanding of intracellular pathways in GS‐CHOK1 cells. Using the phosphorylation status of mTORC1 downstream targets, S6K1 and 4E‐BP1, as read‐outs of mTORC1 activity, we investigated the contribution of each target protein to growth and/or productivity. Inoculation of cultures in the presence of rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of mTORC1, increased viability and final titer. The initial increase in specific productivity and inhibition of growth by rapamycin correlated with diminished phospho‐S6K1. However, inhibition was transient and cells recovered by unknown mechanisms. In contrast, phosphorylation of 4E‐BP1 was preserved in response to rapamycin. Finally, we examined the activity of mTORC1 after addition of a custom‐designed feed. Feeding led to substantial increase in growth and productivity and the phosphorylation of both targets was elevated. Though many details of mTORC1 signaling in CHO cells remain to be clarified, we have provided evidence that environmental manipulation of the mTORC1 pathway correlates with changes in cell growth and recombinant protein production.
Implementing bacterial acid resistance into cell‐free protein synthesis for buffer‐free expression and screening of enzymes
Authors: Kim Ho‐Cheol , Kim Kwang‐Soo , Kang Taek‐Jin , Choi Jong Hyun , Song Jae Jun , Choi Yun Hee , Kim Byung‐Gee , Kim Dong‐Myung
Published: June 2015

Cell‐free protein synthesis utilizes translational machinery isolated from the cells for in vitro expression of template genes. Because it produces proteins without gene cloning and cell cultivation steps, cell‐free protein synthesis can be used as a versatile platform for high‐throughput expression of enzyme libraries. Furthermore, the open nature of cell‐free protein synthesis allows direct integration of enzyme synthesis with subsequent screening steps. However, the presence of high concentration of chemical buffers in the conventional reaction mixture makes it difficult to streamline cell‐free protein synthesis with pH‐based assay of the synthesized enzymes. In this study, we have implemented an enzyme‐assisted bacterial acid resistance mechanism into an Escherichia coli (E.coli) extract‐based cell‐free protein synthesis system in place of chemical buffers. When deployed in the reaction mixture for cell‐free synthesis of enzymes, through proton‐consuming conversion of glutamate into γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), an engineered glutamate decarboxylase (GADβ) was able to maintain the pH of reaction mixture during enzyme synthesis. Because the reaction mixture becomes free of buffering capacity upon the depletion of glutamate, synthesized enzyme could be directly assayed without purification steps. The designed method was successfully applied to the screening of mutant library of sialyltransferase genes to identify mutants with improved enzymatic activity. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 2630–2635. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Anex vivomodel using human osteoarthritic cartilage demonstrates the release of bioactive insulin‐like growth factor‐1 from a collagen–glycosaminoglycan scaffold
Authors: Wardale J. , Mullen L. , Howard D. , Ghose S. , Rushton N.
Published: June 2015

Biomimetic scaffolds hold great promise for therapeutic repair of cartilage, but although most scaffolds are tested with cellsin vitro, there are very fewex vivomodels (EVMs) where adult cartilage and scaffolds are co‐cultured to optimize their interaction prior toin vivostudies. This study describes a simple, non‐compressive method that is applicable to mammalian or human cartilage and provides a reasonable throughput of samples. Rings of full‐depth articular cartilage slices were derived from human donors undergoing knee replacement for osteoarthritis and a 3 mm core of a collagen/glycosaminoglycan biomimetic scaffold (Tigenix, UK) inserted to create the EVM. Adult osteoarthritis chondrocytes were seeded into the scaffold and cultures maintained for up to 30 days.Ex vivomodels were stable throughout experiments, and cells remained viable. Chondrocytes seeded into the EVM attached throughout the scaffold and in contact with the cartilage explants. Cell migration and deposition of extracellular matrix proteins in the scaffold was enhanced by growth factors particularly if the scaffold was preloaded with growth factors. This study demonstrates that the EVM represents a suitable model that has potential for testing a range of therapeutic parameters such as numbers/types of cell, growth factors or therapeutic drugs before progressing to costly pre‐clinical trials. © 2015 The Authors.Cell Biochemistry and FunctionPublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Comparison of tin‐doped indium oxide films fabricated by spray pyrolysis and magnetron sputtering
Authors: Malik Oleksandr , De la Hidalga‐Wade Francisco Javier
Published: June 2015

A comparison of the properties between Tin‐doped Indium Oxide (ITO) films fabricated by sputtering and spray pyrolysis is presented. This analysis shows that the ITO films fabricated by DC magnetron sputtering in pure argon gas requires of a subsequent annealing for the improvement of their structural, electrical and optical properties, when they are compared to films fabricated by single‐stage spray pyrolysis process that includes a new approach. The optimum annealing temperature for ITO films sputtered at room temperature lies in the 300‐350 °C range. Under such conditions, the ITO sputtered films are slightly more resistive than the resistivity (2 × 10‐4 Ω‐cm) shown by films sprayed at 480 °C using a solution with a 5 % of tin to indium ratio, and almost four times the worst value of the combination of transparency and conductivity determined by the value of the figure of merit (FOM). The sprayed films have a high value of the FOM, 2.9×10‐2 Ω‐1, which is comparable with the best published results.
A simple and rapid method for the determination of nicotine in third‐hand smoke by liquid chromatography and its application for the assessment of contaminated outdoor communal areas
Authors: Santos e Silva Samira Inácia , Bowdler Paul , Giltrow Danielle , Riddell Stephanie , Honeychurch Kevin C.
Published: June 2015

This is the first report on the determination of nicotine in third‐hand smoke (THS) in outdoor communal areas. The term THS can be defined as the contamination of surfaces by second‐hand smoke. This can remain for extended periods of time and undergo further chemical reactions to produce further pollutants which can be re‐suspended in dust or re‐emitted into the gas phase. As THS is a rather complex mixture, studies have focused on using nicotine as a marker of THS, as it is the most abundant organic compound emitted during smoking. In this present study, the extraction of dust‐wipe samples and the subsequent chromatographic conditions required for the separation of nicotine by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography were optimized. The optimum chromatographic conditions were identified as a 150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 µm Zorbax Carbohydrate Analysis column with a mobile phase consisting of 90 % acetonitrile, 10 % water at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with UV detection at 259 nm. Further investigations were made on samples collected from surfaces of public entrance ways. Under these conditions, a linear range for nicotine of 0.05 to 24 µg/mL (1.0–480 ng on column) was obtained, with a detection limit of 1.0 ng on column based on a signal‐to‐noise ratio of three. Acetone, naphthalene, phenol, musk ketone, and palmitic acid were found not to interfere. Communal entrance ways were found to be contaminated with THS nicotine levels of between 5.09 µg/m2 and 309 µg/m2 comparable to that found in other previous studies of indoor environments. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term outcome in anorexia nervosa in the community
Authors: Mustelin Linda , Raevuori Anu , Bulik Cynthia M. , Rissanen Aila , Hoek Hans W. , Kaprio Jaakko , Keski‐Rahkonen Anna
Published: June 2015

Objective

Few studies have assessed outcomes of anorexia nervosa (AN) outside clinical settings. We aimed to assess mortality, recovery, and socio‐demographic outcomes of AN in a community sample.

Method

Women in the nationwide FinnTwin16 cohort (born 1975–1979) were followed for 10 years after baseline diagnostic assessment (mean age at follow‐up 34 years, N = 2188). We compared women with lifetime DSM‐IV AN (N = 40) with unaffected women from the same cohort.

Results

None of the women with AN had died and 88% were weight‐recovered (BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m2), but their mean BMI (22.0 kg/m2) was lower than among unaffected women (24.0 kg/m2, p = 0.008). University degrees (38 vs. 29%, p = 0.26), sickness absence during the past year (median 5 vs. 3 days, p = 0.21), or unemployment or disability pension (5 vs. 4%, p = 0.62) did not significantly differ between AN probands and their unaffected peers. More women with AN were still studying (15 vs. 4%, p = 0.003), and half of them had children, as compared to 66% of unaffected women (p = 0.05).

Discussion

The long‐term prognosis of AN in the community appears promising. Weight‐restoration is common and socio‐demographic outcomes are generally favorable. However, women with a history of AN may be less likely to have children. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:851–859).
A Heterodinuclear FeIIIZnII Complex as a Mimic for Purple Acid Phosphatase with Site‐Specific ZnII Binding
Authors: Roberts Asha E. , Schenk Gerhard , Gahan Lawrence R.
Published: June 2015

Purple acid phosphatases (PAPs) are the only dinuclear metallohydrolases for which the necessity for a heterovalent active site (FeIII–MII; M = Fe, Zn or Mn) for catalysis has been established. A major goal for the synthesis of PAP biomimetics is to design a ligand in which the two coordination sites exhibit discrimination between the trivalent and divalent metal ions. With this goal in mind the ligand 2‐{[bis(2‐methoxyethyl)amino]methyl}‐6‐{[(2‐hydroxybenzyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amino]methyl}‐4‐methylphenol (BMMHPH2), with two distinct coordination sites, N2O2 (α) and NO3 (β), has been prepared. Although not exactly mimicking the active site of PAP, the ligand facilitated the formation of the complex [FeIIIZnII(BMMHP)(CH3COO)2](BPh4), which exhibited regioselectivity in the two metal binding sites. The phosphoesterase‐like activity of the complex in 50:50 acetonitrile/water was investigated by using the substrate bis(2,4‐dinitrophenyl) phosphate (BDNPP) yielding kinetically relevant pKa values of 6.89, 7.37 and 9.00, a KM of 10.8 ± 2.1 mM and a kcat of 3.20 ± 0.38 × 10–3 s–1 (at pH = 7.5). Attempts to prepare a diiron analogue resulted in a centrosymmetric dimer, [FeIII2(BMMHPH)2(μ‐OH)2](BPh4)2, with one six‐coordinate FeIII atom in each of the α‐sites, connected by two μ‐hydroxido groups. In this Fe(μ‐OH)2Fe diamond core the FeIII ions are weakly antiferromagnetically coupled, with J = –1.76 ± 0.03 cm–1. The β‐sites were vacant. Attempts to replace the ZnII ion with MgII resulted in the formation of a centrosymmetric trimer, i.e. [FeIII2MgII(BMMHPH)2(CH3COO)2(CH3O)2](BPh4)2.
Copper‐Catalyzed Intramolecular C–C Bond Cleavage To Construct 2‐Substituted Quinazolinones
Authors: Hu Ben‐Quan , Wang Li‐Xia , Yang Luo , Xiang Jun‐Feng , Tang Ya‐Lin
Published: June 2015

An efficient method for a copper‐catalyzed intramolecular C–C bond cleavage to construct 2‐substituted quinazolinones has been developed. The C–C bond at the 2‐position of 2,2‐disubstituted‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinazolinone was selectively cleaved by a Cu/air catalytic system. The trend for the cleavage was dependent on the leaving group in the order of: alkyl > methyl > phenyl > substituted aryl. The process described herein provides an explanation for the mechanism of the reaction between substituted 2‐halobenzamides and α‐substituted arylmethanamines to construct 2‐substituted quinazolinones, which were previously reported and limited to the construction of 2‐arylquinazolinones.
Automated Trait Scores for TOEFL® Writing Tasks
Authors: Attali Yigal , Sinharay Sandip
Published: June 2015

The e‐rater® automated essay scoring system is used operationally in the scoring of TOEFL iBT® independent and integrated tasks. In this study we explored the psychometric added value of reporting four trait scores for each of these two tasks, beyond the total e‐rater score. The four trait scores are word choice, grammatical conventions, fluency and organization, and content. Trait scores were computed on the basis of several criteria for determining feature weights: regression parameters of the trait features on human scores, reliability of trait features, and coefficients of features from a principal component analysis. In addition, augmented trait scores, based on information from other trait scores, were also analyzed. The psychometric added value of trait scores beyond total e‐rater scores was evaluated by comparing the ability to predict a particular trait score on one task from the same trait score on the other task versus the e‐rater score on the other task. Results supported the use of trait scores, and are discussed in terms of their contribution to the construct validity of e‐rater as an alternative essay scoring method.
Translating Regenerative Biomaterials Into Clinical Practice
Authors: Stace Edward T. , Dakin Stephanie G. , Mouthuy Pierre‐Alexis , Carr Andrew J.
Published: June 2015

Globally health care spending is increasing unsustainably. This is especially true of the treatment of musculoskeletal (MSK) disease where in the United States the MSK disease burden has doubled over the last 15 years. With an aging and increasingly obese population, the surge in MSK related spending is only set to worsen. Despite increased funding, research and attention to this pressing health need, little progress has been made toward novel therapies. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) strategies could provide the solutions required to mitigate this mounting burden. Biomaterial‐based treatments in particular present a promising field of potentially cost‐effective therapies. However, the translation of a scientific development to a successful treatment is fraught with difficulties. These barriers have so far limited translation of TERM science into clinical treatments. It is crucial for primary researchers to be aware of the barriers currently restricting the progression of science to treatments. Researchers need to act prospectively to ensure the clinical, financial, and regulatory hurdles which seem so far removed from laboratory science do not stall or prevent the subsequent translation of their idea into a treatment. The aim of this review is to explore the development and translation of new treatments. Increasing the understanding of these complexities and barriers among primary researchers could enhance the efficiency of biomaterial translation. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 36–49, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long‐term impacts of grazing intensity on soil carbon sequestration and selected soil properties in the arid Eastern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Talore Deribe G , Tesfamariam Eyob H , Hassen Abubeker , Du Toit JCO , Klampp Katja , Jean‐Francois Soussana
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

Little is known about how basic soil properties respond to contrasting grazing intensities in the Karoo biome, South Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate impacts of long‐term (>75 years) grazing at 1.18 heads ha−1 (heavy; CGH), 0.78 heads ha−1 (light; CGL), and exclosure on selected soil properties. Soil samples were collected to a depth of 60 cm from the long‐term experimental site of Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute, Eastern Cape. The samples were analyzed for C, N, bulk density and infiltration rate, among others.

RESULTS

Generally, heavy and light grazing reduced soil N storage by 27.5% and 22.6%, respectively, compared with the exclosure. Animal exclusion improved water infiltration rate and C stocks significantly (P < 0.05), which was 0.128, 0.097, and 0.093 Mg ha−1 yr−1 for exclosure, CGL and CGH, respectively. Soil penetration resistance was higher for grazing treatments in the top 3–7 cm soil layer but for exclosure at the top 1 cm soil surface.

CONCLUSION

Although livestock exclusion has the potential to improve C sequestration, a sufficient resting period for 1–2 years followed by three consecutive grazing years at light stocking rate would be ideal for sustainable livestock production in this arid region of South Africa. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
An elegant exact solutions for the Emden–Fowler equations of the first kind
Authors: Aslanov Afgan
Published: June 2015

We study the exact solutions of the Emden–Fowler equations and generalize the n = 1 and n = 5 Lane–Emden equations. We analyze the series approximations and show that explicit formulas can be written for new classes of equations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A framework for assessing ecosystem services in acequia irrigation communities of the Upper Río Grande watershed
Authors: Raheem N. , Archambault S. , Arellano E. , Gonzales M. , Kopp D. , Rivera J. , Guldan S. , Boykin K. , Oldham C. , Valdez A. , Colt S. , Lamadrid E. , Wang J. , Price J. , Goldstein J. , Arnold P. , Martin S. , Dingwell E.
Published: June 2015

‘What we need to do is inventory the different types of agricultural landscapes and bring to light the typical rural architecture, such as the acequias and desagües (irrigation supply canals and excess water drains). We need to find ways of conserving the landscape, including the flora and fauna as well as the role the agricultural landscape has played in the evolution of the surrounding area. Before we abandon the past (flood irrigation) for the contemporary (drip irrigation), we need a thorough analysis of the pros and cons of each system for the whole cultural landscape. The future may be one where the old and new learn to coexist, such as the hoe with the plow’ (Arellano, 2014, p. 204). WIREs Water 2015, 2:559–575. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1091

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness

Engineering Water > Planning Water

Human Water > Value of Water
Mindfulness as a way of addressing the deficits in clinical psychology training programmes: A review
Authors: Hemanth Pooja , Fisher Paul
Published: June 2015

Research suggests that there is a lack of focus on developing trainees’ intrapersonal skills or adequately fostering self-care. Mindfulness training may help address the gaps in training programmes. Quantitative and qualitative studies involving mindfulness training for postgraduate trainees were reviewed. There is a need to explore different designs of mindfulness training groups to ascertain what would be feasible and effective, given the trainees’ existing time constraints. Furthermore, the current understanding is limited due to the difficulties defining and operationalising mindfulness. Qualitative research would help to explore what mindfulness training means to trainees and how it impacts on their lives.
Mutations of Fake Weighted Projective Planes
Authors: Akhtar Mohammad E. , Kasprzyk Alexander M.
Published: June 2015

In previous work by Coates, Galkin and the authors, the notion of mutation between lattice polytopes was introduced. Such mutations give rise to a deformation between the corresponding toric varieties. In this paper we study one-step mutations that correspond to deformations between weighted projective planes, giving a complete characterization of such mutations in terms ofT-singularities. We also show that the weights involved satisfy Diophantine equations, generalizing results of Hacking and Prokhorov.
The Great Escape: The Unaddressed Ethical Issue of Investor Responsibility for Corporate Malfeasance
Authors: Wesley II Curtis L. , Ndofor Hermann Achidi
Published: June 2015

Corporate governance scholarship focuses on executive malfeasance, specifically its antecedents and consequences. Academic efforts primarily focus on prevention while practitioners are often left to hold firms and executives (including directors) accountable through a variety of sanctions. Even so, executive malfeasance still occurs even in the face of the vast resources used to monitor, control, and penalize firms and executives. In this paper, we posit equity markets do not adequately penalize firms for inaccurate earnings reports. Using a sample of 129 firms identified by the U.S. General Accounting Office for reporting fraudulent earnings in 10K filings, we found support for our assertion. Consequently, the one party who may benefit but escape accountability is firm shareholders. Moreover, we find little empirical evidence that the subset of firms sanctioned by the SEC is penalized more heavily than the full sample by markets at the time they report and correct their 10K filings. Our results raise serious questions whether such managerial opportunism can be eradicated given the apparent lack of consequences in equity markets for investors. We also question whether the SEC is able to discern between fraud and error in financial reporting and its implications.
Buying health: assessing the impact of a consumer-side vegetable subsidy on purchasing, consumption and waste
Authors: Smith-Drelich Noah
Published: June 2015

Objective

To measure the impact of a reimbursement-based consumer subsidy on vegetable expenditures, consumption and waste.

Design

Two-arm randomized controlled trial; two-week baseline observation period, three-week intervention period. Participants’ vegetable expenditures, consumption and waste were monitored using receipts collection and through an FFQ. During the intervention period, the treatment group received reimbursement of up to 50 US dollars ($) for purchased vegetables.

Setting

Participants were solicited from Palo Alto, CA, USA using materials advertising a ‘consumer behavior study’ and a small participation incentive. To prevent selection bias, solicitation materials did not describe the specific behaviour being evaluated.

Subjects

One hundred and fifty potential participants responded to the solicitations and 144 participants enrolled in the study; 138 participants completed all five weekly surveys.

Results

Accounting for the control group (n 69) and the two-week baseline period, the intervention significantly impacted the treatment group’s (n 69) vegetable expenditures (+$8·16 (sd 2·67)/week, P<0·01), but not vegetable consumption (+1·3 (sd 1·2) servings/week, P=0·28) or waste (−0·23 (sd 1·2) servings/week, P=0·60).

Conclusions

The consumer subsidy significantly increased participants’ vegetable expenditures, but not consumption or waste, suggesting that this type of subsidy might not have the effects anticipated. Reimbursement-based consumer subsidies may therefore not be as useful a policy tool for impacting vegetable consumption as earlier studies have suggested. Moreover, moderation analysis revealed that the subsidy’s effect on participants’ vegetable expenditures was significant only in men. Additional research should seek to determine how far reaching gender-specific effects are in this context. Further research should also examine the effect of a similar consumer subsidy on high-risk populations and explore to what extent increases in participants’ expenditures are due to the purchase of more expensive vegetables, purchasing of vegetables during the study period that were consumed outside the study period, or a shift from restaurant vegetable consumption to grocery vegetable consumption.
Erratum: The relationship between dopamine receptor D1 and cognitive performance
Authors: Tsang Jonathan , Fullard John F , Giakoumaki Stella G , Katsel Pavel , Eirini Karagiorga Vasiliki , Greenwood Tiffany A , Braff David L , Siever Larry J , Bitsios Panos , Haroutunian Vahram , Roussos Panos
Published: June 2015

Correction to: npj Schizophrenia 1, Article number: 14002 (2015) doi:10.1038/npjschz.2014.2; Published online 04 March 2015 In the published version of this article, Dr. Katsel’s name incorrectly appears twice in the author list. In addition, there were errors in the affiliation list. The correct list appears below:
Terahertz Plasmonic Field-Induced Conductivity Modulation in Gold
Authors: Elezzabi A. Y. , Maraghechi P. , Greig S. R.
Published: June 2015

We report the observation of terahertz (THz) electric field induced conductivity modulation in sub-wavelength gold plasmonic media. Through all-THz pump-probe time-resolved transmission spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the presence of induced surface charges influences near-field mediated light propagation. The phenomenon is ascribed to the enhanced metal conductivity due to enhanced surface density of conduction electrons. The surface induced charge dynamics are revealed via phase-dependent time-resolved signatures. The phenomenon is a prelude to a wide class of ultrafast active THz plasmonic devices and paves the way for plasmonic field effects devices, similar to semiconductor ones.
DW-F5: A novel formulation against malignant melanoma from Wrightia tinctoria
Authors: Antony Jayesh , Saikia Minakshi , V Vinod. , Nath Lekshmi. R. , Katiki Mohana Rao , Murty M.S.R. , Paul Anju , A Shabna , Chandran Harsha , Joseph Sophia Margaret , S Nishanth Kumar. , Panakkal Elizabeth Jayex , V Sriramya I. , V Sridivya I. , Ran Sophia , S Sankar , Rajan Easwary , Anto Ruby John
Published: June 2015

Wrightia tinctoria is a constituent of several ayurvedic preparations against skin disorders including psoriasis and herpes, though not yet has been explored for anticancer potential. Herein, for the first time, we report the significant anticancer properties of a semi-purified fraction, DW-F5, from the dichloromethane extract of W. tinctoria leaves against malignant melanoma. DW-F5 exhibited anti-melanoma activities, preventing metastasis and angiogenesis in NOD-SCID mice, while being non-toxic in vivo. The major pathways in melanoma signaling mediated through BRAF, WNT/β-catenin and Akt-NF-κB converging in MITF-M, the master regulator of melanomagenesis, were inhibited by DW-F5, leading to complete abolition of MITF-M. Purification of DW-F5 led to the isolation of two cytotoxic components, one being tryptanthrin and the other being an unidentified aliphatic fraction. The overall study predicts Wrightia tinctoria as a candidate plant to be further explored for anticancer properties and DW-F5 as a forthcoming drug formulation to be evaluated as a chemotherapeutic agent against malignant melanoma.
A near-wearless and extremely long lifetime amorphous carbon film under high vacuum
Authors: Wang Liping , Zhang Renhui , Jansson Ulf , Nedfors Nils
Published: June 2015

Prolonging wear life of amorphous carbon films under vacuum was an enormous challenge. In this work, we firstly reported that amorphous carbon film as a lubricant layer containing hydrogen, oxygen, fluorine and silicon (a-C:H:O:F:Si) exhibited low friction (~0.1), ultra-low wear rate (9.0 × 10–13 mm3 N–1 mm–1) and ultra-long wear life (>2 × 106 cycles) under high vacuum. We systematically examined microstructure and composition of transfer film for understanding of the underlying frictional mechanism, which suggested that the extraordinarily excellent tribological properties were attributed to the thermodynamically and structurally stable FeF2 nanocrystallites corroborated using first-principles calculations, which were induced by the tribochemical reaction.
Temporal MRI characterization, neurobiochemical and neurobehavioral changes in a mouse repetitive concussive head injury model
Authors: Yang Zhihui , Wang Ping , Morgan Drake , Bruijnzeel Adriaan W. , Lin Dan , Pan Jianchun , Lin Fan , Strang Kevin H. , Selig Tyler M. , Perez Pablo D. , Febo Marcelo , Chang Binggong , Rubenstein Richard , Wang Kevin K.W.
Published: June 2015

Single and repeated sports-related mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), also referred to as concussion, can result in chronic post-concussive syndrome (PCS), neuropsychological and cognitive deficits, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). However PCS is often difficult to diagnose using routine clinical, neuroimaging or laboratory evaluations, while CTE currently only can be definitively diagnosed postmortem. We sought to develop an animal model to simulate human repetitive concussive head injury for systematic study. In this study, mice received single or multiple head impacts by a stereotaxic impact device with a custom-made rubber tip-fitted impactor. Dynamic changes in MRI, neurobiochemical markers (Tau hyperphosphorylation and glia activation in brain tissues) and neurobehavioral functions such as anxiety, depression, motor function and cognitive function at various acute/subacute (1-7 day post-injury) and chronic (14-60 days post-injury) time points were examined. To explore the potential biomarkers of rCHI, serum levels of total Tau (T-Tau) and phosphorylated Tau (P-Tau) were also monitored at various time points. Our results show temporal dynamics of MRI consistent with structural perturbation in the acute phase and neurobiochemical changes (P-Tau and GFAP induction) in the subacute and chronic phase as well as development of chronic neurobehavioral changes, which resemble those observed in mTBI patients.