bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective NFAT targeting in T cells ameliorates GvHD while maintaining antitumor activity
Authors: Vaeth Martin , Bäuerlein Carina A. , Pusch Tobias , Findeis Janina , Chopra Martin , Mottok Anja , Rosenwald Andreas , Beilhack Andreas , Berberich-Siebelt Friederike
Published: January 2015

Significance

Patients suffering from hematologic malignancies might have no alternative to eliminating their morbid immune system. Although lethal irradiation or chemotherapy largely eradicates tumor cells, it also destroys the hematopoietic system, which necessitates transplantation of bone marrow stem cells from a healthy donor. T cells within the graft attack remaining tumor cells. This graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effect is highly appreciated, because it prevents tumor relapses. Coevally, however, T cells attack nonmalignant tissue of the host with life-threating consequences called graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). We found that absence of the transcription factors NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) in T cells prevents harmful GvHD, but preserves the valuable GvL. Therefore, instead of broad immune suppression, we propose to target NFAT specifically during allogenic stem cell transplantation.
Inhibition of oxidative metabolism leads to p53 genetic inactivation and transformation in neural stem cells
Authors: Bartesaghi Stefano , Graziano Vincenzo , Galavotti Sara , Henriquez Nick V. , Betts Joanne , Saxena Jayeta , Minieri Valentina , A Deli , Karlsson Anna , Martins L. Miguel , Capasso Melania , Nicotera Pierluigi , Brandner Sebastian , De Laurenzi Vincenzo , Salomoni Paolo
Published: January 2015

Alterations of mitochondrial metabolism and genomic instability have been implicated in tumorigenesis in multiple tissues. High-grade glioma (HGG), one of the most lethal human neoplasms, displays genetic modifications of Krebs cycle components as well as electron transport chain (ETC) alterations. Furthermore, the p53 tumor suppressor, which has emerged as a key regulator of mitochondrial respiration at the expense of glycolysis, is genetically inactivated in a large proportion of HGG cases. Therefore, it is becoming evident that genetic modifications can affect cell metabolism in HGG; however, it is currently unclear whether mitochondrial metabolism alterations could vice versa promote genomic instability as a mechanism for neoplastic transformation. Here, we show that, in neural progenitor/stem cells (NPCs), which can act as HGG cell of origin, inhibition of mitochondrial metabolism leads to p53 genetic inactivation. Impairment of respiration via inhibition of complex I or decreased mitochondrial DNA copy number leads to p53 genetic loss and a glycolytic switch. p53 genetic inactivation in ETC-impaired neural stem cells is caused by increased reactive oxygen species and associated oxidative DNA damage. ETC-impaired cells display a marked growth advantage in the presence or absence of oncogenic RAS, and form undifferentiated tumors when transplanted into the mouse brain. Finally, p53 mutations correlated with alterations in ETC subunit composition and activity in primary glioma-initiating neural stem cells. Together, these findings provide previously unidentified insights into the relationship between mitochondria, genomic stability, and tumor suppressive control, with implications for our understanding of brain cancer pathogenesis.
Metal-free organic sensitizers for use in water-splitting dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells
Authors: Swierk John R. , Méndez-Hernández Dalvin D. , McCool Nicholas S. , Liddell Paul , Terazono Yuichi , Pahk Ian , Tomlin John J. , Oster Nolan V. , Moore Thomas A. , Moore Ana L. , Gust Devens , Mallouk Thomas E.
Published: January 2015

Significance

The capture and conversion of sunlight into a useful chemical fuel (H
2
, CH
4
, CH
3
OH, etc.) is a central goal of the field of artificial photosynthesis. Water oxidation to generate O
2
and protons stands as the major bottleneck in these processes. Relatively few stable photosensitizers can generate sufficient oxidizing power to drive water oxidation, and those that do contain rare elements such as ruthenium. In this paper, we show that metal-free organic photosensitizers are capable of driving photoelectrochemical water oxidation. Significantly, these photosensitizers exhibit comparable activity to that of ruthenium-containing photosensitizers under broadband illumination. In addition, we report to our knowledge the first demonstration of a molecular photosensitizer, outside of natural photosynthesis, that can drive water oxidation utilizing only red light.
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 activation is required for long-term depression in medial prefrontal cortex and fear extinction
Authors: Walker Adam G. , Wenthur Cody J. , Xiang Zixiu , Rook Jerri M. , Emmitte Kyle A. , Niswender Colleen M. , Lindsley Craig W. , Conn P. Jeffrey
Published: January 2015

Significance

Recent genetic studies suggest that variations in the gene encoding metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGlu
3
) can influence aspects of cognitive function that involve the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Furthermore, mutations in this gene may predispose individuals to developing psychiatric disorders in which altered function of the PFC has been implicated. However, little is known about the precise roles of mGlu
3
in regulating the function of the PFC. In the present study, we took advantage of newly identified molecular probes to show that mGlu
3
can strongly influence synaptic plasticity within the PFC and that blockade of this receptor impairs specific learning abilities in mice. These results suggest that mGlu
3
may be a therapeutic target for cognitive dysfunction in mental disorders.
Novel recurrently mutated genes in African American colon cancers
Authors: Guda Kishore , Veigl Martina L. , Varadan Vinay , Nosrati Arman , Ravi Lakshmeswari , Lutterbaugh James , Beard Lydia , Willson James K. V. , Sedwick W. David , Wang Zhenghe John , Molyneaux Neil , Miron Alexander , Adams Mark D. , Elston Robert C. , Markowitz Sanford D. , Willis Joseph E.
Published: January 2015

Significance

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths world-wide. African Americans exhibit the highest colon cancer incidence and mortality among all ethnic groups in the United States. Despite this finding, there is a dearth of knowledge on the genetic mechanisms underlying colon carcinogenesis in African Americans. We thus initiated this study to characterize the mutational landscapes of African American colon cancers. We identified new genes that are significantly mutated in colon cancer and that are highly preferentially targeted for mutations in colon cancers arising in African Americans as compared with Caucasians. These findings suggest differences in routes of colon carcinogenesis between the different ethnic groups and also may have implications for the ethnicity associated differences in tumor incidence and outcome.
Isolation and determination of absolute configurations of insect-produced methyl-branched hydrocarbons
Authors: Bello Jan E. , McElfresh J. Steven , Millar Jocelyn G.
Published: January 2015

Significance

Methyl-branched hydrocarbons (MBCHs) are widely used for inter- and intraspecific communication by insects. MBCHs can exist as two or more stereoisomers, but it remains unknown which stereoisomer(s) insects produce, nor is it clear whether insects can distinguish MBCH stereoisomers. To address these questions, we developed a generic method for isolation of MBCHs (and other lipids) from a range of insect species. Polarimetric analyses of 36 isolated MBCHs showed that their stereochemistry is conserved across nine orders of Insecta, with all compounds having the (
R
)-configuration, regardless of methyl branch position or chain length. These results will enable further explorations of the role of stereochemistry in contact chemical communication, and the molecular mechanisms involved in recognition of hydrocarbons.
Hierarchical sparse coding in the sensory system of
Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Zaslaver Alon , Liani Idan , Shtangel Oshrat , Ginzburg Shira , Yee Lisa , Sternberg Paul W.
Published: January 2015

Significance

We investigated how a numerically and spatially compact nematode nervous system encodes information about the world. A library of transgenic worms expressing a genetically encoded calcium indicator in each type of sensory neuron was constructed and used to assay neural activity in response to various chemical stimuli to compile a functional map of a sensory system. We find that the sensory system uses hierarchical sparse coding, a strategy that mitigates the limited size and the shallow structure of the neural network. Also, this is a timely study that significantly adds to the communal effort and enthusiasm in obtaining functional maps of the connectome.
Does the Cultural Context Matter? The effect of a country's gender-role attitudes on female labor supply
Authors: Uunk Wilfred
Published: January 2015

Despite substantial country variation in gender-role attitudes and female labor supply and theoretical arguments stressing the consequences of contextual attitudes for individual behavior, prior research did not find evidence for an effect of a country's gender-role attitudes on female labor supply. In this study I reassess this finding using a powerful multilevel design on the 2008 wave of the European Values Study on 33 countries. I find a substantial positive and independent effect of a country's egalitarian gender-role attitudes on individual women's odds of labor market attachment. The original, gross effect can for one-fourth be attributed to an effect of individual gender-role attitudes and one-tenth to an institutional effect. These findings indicate that the cultural (attitude) context matters for female labor supply.
The Erv41–Erv46 complex serves as a retrograde receptor to retrieve escaped ER proteins
Authors: Shibuya Aya , Margulis Neil , Christiano Romain , Walther Tobias C. , Barlowe Charles
Published: January 2015

Signal-dependent sorting of proteins in the early secretory pathway is required for dynamic retention of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi components. In this study, we identify the Erv41–Erv46 complex as a new retrograde receptor for retrieval of non–HDEL-bearing ER resident proteins. In cells lacking Erv41–Erv46 function, the ER enzyme glucosidase I (Gls1) was mislocalized and degraded in the vacuole. Biochemical experiments demonstrated that the luminal domain of Gls1 bound to the Erv41–Erv46 complex in a pH-dependent manner. Moreover, in vivo disturbance of the pH gradient across membranes by bafilomycin A1 treatment caused Gls1 mislocalization. Whole cell proteomic analyses of deletion strains using stable isotope labeling by amino acids in culture identified other ER resident proteins that depended on the Erv41–Erv46 complex for efficient localization. Our results support a model in which pH-dependent receptor binding of specific cargo by the Erv41–Erv46 complex in Golgi compartments identifies escaped ER resident proteins for retrieval to the ER in coat protein complex I–formed transport carriers.
Bee venom processes human skin lipids for presentation by CD1a
Authors: Bourgeois Elvire A. , Subramaniam Sumithra , Cheng Tan-Yun , De Jong Annemieke , Layre Emilie , Ly Dalam , Salimi Maryam , Legaspi Annaliza , Modlin Robert L. , Salio Mariolina , Cerundolo Vincenzo , Moody D. Branch , Ogg Graham
Published: January 2015

Venoms frequently co-opt host immune responses, so study of their mode of action can provide insight into novel inflammatory pathways. Using bee and wasp venom responses as a model system, we investigated whether venoms contain CD1-presented antigens. Here, we show that venoms activate human T cells via CD1a proteins. Whereas CD1 proteins typically present lipids, chromatographic separation of venoms unexpectedly showed that stimulatory factors partition into protein-containing fractions. This finding was explained by demonstrating that bee venom–derived phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activates T cells through generation of small neoantigens, such as free fatty acids and lysophospholipids, from common phosphodiacylglycerides. Patient studies showed that injected PLA2 generates lysophospholipids within human skin in vivo, and polyclonal T cell responses are dependent on CD1a protein and PLA2. These findings support a previously unknown skin immune response based on T cell recognition of CD1a proteins and lipid neoantigen generated in vivo by phospholipases. The findings have implications for skin barrier sensing by T cells and mechanisms underlying phospholipase-dependent inflammatory skin disease.
Efficacy and safety of chloramphenicol: joining the revival of old antibiotics? Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Eliakim-Raz Noa , Lador Adi , Leibovici-Weissman Yaara , Elbaz Michal , Paul Mical , Leibovici Leonard
Published: January 2015

Objectives

Chloramphenicol is an old broad-spectrum antibiotic. We assessed its efficacy and safety.

Methods

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis. Electronic databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed patients, of any age, with systemic bacterial infections that can cause sepsis and compared chloramphenicol alone versus other antibiotics. No restrictions on the date of publication, language or publication status were applied. The primary outcome assessed was overall mortality.

Results

Sixty-six RCTs fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and these included 9711 patients. We found a higher mortality with chloramphenicol for respiratory tract infections [risk ratio (RR) 1.40, 95% CI 1.00–1.97] and meningitis (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.00–1.60), both without heterogeneity. The point estimate was similar for enteric fever, without statistical significance. No statistically significant difference was found between chloramphenicol and other antibiotics regarding treatment failure, except for enteric fever (RR 1.46, 95% CI 1.07–2.00, without heterogeneity). This difference derived mainly from studies comparing chloramphenicol with fluoroquinolones (RR 1.85, 95% CI 1.07–3.2). There were no statistically significant differences between chloramphenicol and other antibiotics in terms of adverse events, including haematological events, except for anaemia, which occurred more frequently with chloramphenicol (RR 2.80, 95% CI 1.65–4.75, I2 = 0%), and gastrointestinal side effects, which were less frequent with chloramphenicol (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.46–0.99, I2 = 0%). Many of the studies included were sponsored by pharmaceutical companies marketing the comparator drug to chloramphenicol, and this might have influenced the results.

Conclusions

Chloramphenicol cannot be recommended as a first-line treatment for respiratory tract infections, meningitis or enteric fever as alternatives are probably more effective. Chloramphenicol is as safe as treatment alternatives for short antibiotic courses. RCTs are needed to test this treatment against MDR organisms when better alternatives do not exist.
Sparse expression bases in cancer reveal tumor drivers
Authors: Logsdon Benjamin A. , Gentles Andrew J. , Miller Chris P. , Blau C. Anthony , Becker Pamela S. , Lee Su-In
Published: January 2015

We define a new category of candidate tumor drivers in cancer genome evolution: ‘selected expression regulators’ (SERs)—genes driving dysregulated transcriptional programs in cancer evolution. The SERs are identified from genome-wide tumor expression data with a novel method, namely SPARROW (SPARse selected expRessiOn regulators identified With penalized regression). SPARROW uncovers a previously unknown connection between cancer expression variation and driver events, by using a novel sparse regression technique. Our results indicate that SPARROW is a powerful complementary approach to identify candidate genes containing driver events that are hard to detect from sequence data, due to a large number of passenger mutations and lack of comprehensive sequence information from a sufficiently large number of samples. SERs identified by SPARROW reveal known driver mutations in multiple human cancers, along with known cancer-associated processes and survival-associated genes, better than popular methods for inferring gene expression networks. We demonstrate that when applied to acute myeloid leukemia expression data, SPARROW identifies an apoptotic biomarker (PYCARD) for an investigational drug obatoclax. The PYCARD and obatoclax association is validated in 30 AML patient samples.
Salicylic Acid Inhibits the Replication of Tomato bushy stunt virus by Directly Targeting a Host Component in the Replication Complex
Authors: Tian Miaoying , Sasvari Zsuzsanna , Gonzalez Paulina Alatriste , Friso Giulia , Rowland Elden , Liu Xiao-Min , van Wijk Klaas J. , Nagy Peter D. , Klessig Daniel F.
Published: January 2015

Although the plant hormone salicylic acid (SA) plays a central role in signaling resistance to viral infection, the underlying mechanisms are only partially understood. Identification and characterization of SA’s direct targets have been shown to be an effective strategy for dissecting the complex SA-mediated defense signaling network. In search of additional SA targets, we previously developed two sensitive approaches that utilize SA analogs in conjunction with either a photoaffinity labeling technique or surface plasmon resonance-based technology to identify and evaluate candidate SA-binding proteins (SABPs) from Arabidopsis. Using these approaches, we have now identified several members of the Arabidopsis glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) protein family, including two chloroplast-localized and two cytosolic isoforms, as SABPs. Cytosolic GAPDH is a well-known glycolytic enzyme; it also is an important host factor involved in the replication of Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), a single-stranded RNA virus. Using a yeast cell-free extract, an in vivo yeast replication system, and plant protoplasts, we demonstrate that SA inhibits TBSV replication. SA does so by inhibiting the binding of cytosolic GAPDH to the negative (−)RNA strand of TBSV. Thus, this study reveals a novel molecular mechanism through which SA regulates virus replication.
14-3-3 Proteins in Plant-Pathogen Interactions
Authors: Lozano-Durán Rosa , Robatzek Silke
Published: January 2015

14-3-3 proteins define a eukaryotic-specific protein family with a general role in signal transduction. Primarily, 14-3-3 proteins act as phosphosensors, binding phosphorylated client proteins and modulating their functions. Since phosphorylation regulates a plethora of different physiological responses in plants, 14-3-3 proteins play roles in multiple signaling pathways, including those controlling metabolism, hormone signaling, cell division, and responses to abiotic and biotic stimuli. Increasing evidence supports a prominent role of 14-3-3 proteins in regulating plant immunity against pathogens at various levels. In this review, potential links between 14-3-3 function and the regulation of plant-pathogen interactions are discussed, with a special focus on the regulation of 14-3-3 proteins in response to pathogen perception, interactions between 14-3-3 proteins and defense-related proteins, and 14-3-3 proteins as targets of pathogen effectors.
Collections of Puccinia triticina in Different Provinces of China Are Highly Related for Virulence and Molecular Genotype
Authors: Kolmer J. A.
Published: January 2015

Collections of Puccinia triticina, the wheat leaf rust pathogen, were obtained from seven provinces in China from 2009 and 2010. Single uredinial isolates were derived and tested for virulence phenotype to 20 lines of Thatcher wheat that differ for single leaf rust resistance genes, and for molecular genotype with 23 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers. Forty-eight virulence phenotypes were described among the 155 isolates tested for virulence. All but four isolates were virulent to Lr26, and no isolates with virulence to Lr18 or Lr24 were found. The three most common phenotypes, FCBQQ, PCGLN, and PCGLL, were found in five, five, and three provinces, respectively. Thirty-six SSR genotypes were found among the 100 isolates tested for molecular variation. Isolates with identical virulence phenotypes and SSR genotypes were found in more than one province. Analysis of variation showed no overall differentiation of SSR genotypes or virulence phenotypes based on province of origin. The SSR genotypes had high levels of linkage disequilibrium, high levels of observed heterozygosity, and significant correlation with the virulence phenotypes, all measures that indicated clonal reproduction. Bayesian cluster analysis and principle component plots indicated three groups of SSR genotypes that also varied significantly for virulence. The seven provinces are continuously adjacent to each other and likely form a single epidemiological zone for P. triticina.
Pharmacokinetics of Tranexamic Acid in Neonates, Infants, and Children Undergoing Cardiac Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Wesley Mark C. , Pereira Luis M. , Scharp Laurie A. , Emani Sitaram M. , McGowan Francis X. , DiNardo James A.
Published: January 2015

AbstractAbstract

Tranexamic acid pharmacokinetics were determined during cardiac surgery in 55 children categorized into three age groups: less than 2 months old; 2 months to 1 yr old; and more than 1 yr old and weighing up to 20 kg. Dosing recommendations were modeled for each age group for plasma concentrations of 20, 60, and 150 μg/ml. The safe and effective tranexamic acid concentration range needs to be better defined.

Background:

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is one of the most commonly used antifibrinolytic medications in children undergoing repair of congenital heart defects. However, a pharmacokinetics analysis of TXA has never been performed in neonates or young children undergoing complex cardiac surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass, hypothermia, circulatory arrest, and ultrafiltration. A comprehensive pharmacokinetics study was performed in this patient population.

Methods:

Fifty-five patients ranging from 2 days through 4 yr old were categorized into three groups: children less than 2 months old, infants 2 months to 1 yr old, and children greater than 1 yr old and weighing up to 20 kg. TXA was given as a bolus of 100 mg/kg followed by an infusion of 10 mg · kg−1 · h−1 throughout the surgery. A dose of 100 mg/kg was placed in the cardiopulmonary bypass prime. A total of 16 to 18 samples were obtained from all patients throughout surgery. Plasma TXA concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and modeled under a nonlinear mixed-effects framework with a two-compartment structural model.

Results:

Cardiopulmonary bypass had a statistically significant impact on all pharmacokinetic parameters. Age was a better covariate than body weight, affecting both the distribution and the elimination of TXA. However, weight performed well in some cases. Other covariates including body surface area, pump prime volume, ultrafiltrate volume, and body temperature did not improve the model.

Conclusions:

This TXA pharmacokinetic analysis is reported for the first time in neonates and young children undergoing complex cardiac surgeries with cardiopulmonary bypass. Dosing recommendations are provided as guidance for maintaining desired target concentrations.
Simulation of wind turbine wakes using the actuator line technique
Authors: Sørensen Jens N. , Mikkelsen Robert F. , Henningson Dan S. , Ivanell Stefan , Sarmast Sasan , Andersen Søren J.
Published: January 2015

The actuator line technique was introduced as a numerical tool to be employed in combination with large eddy simulations to enable the study of wakes and wake interaction in wind farms. The technique is today largely used for studying basic features of wakes as well as for making performance predictions of wind farms. In this paper, we give a short introduction to the wake problem and the actuator line methodology and present a study in which the technique is employed to determine the near-wake properties of wind turbines. The presented results include a comparison of experimental results of the wake characteristics of the flow around a three-bladed model wind turbine, the development of a simple analytical formula for determining the near-wake length behind a wind turbine and a detailed investigation of wake structures based on proper orthogonal decomposition analysis of numerically generated snapshots of the wake.
Seismic analysis of offshore wind turbines on bottom-fixed support structures
Authors: Alati Natale , Failla Giuseppe , Arena Felice
Published: January 2015

This study investigates the seismic response of a horizontal axis wind turbine on two bottom-fixed support structures for transitional water depths (30–60 m), a tripod and a jacket, both resting on pile foundations. Fully coupled, nonlinear time-domain simulations on full system models are carried out under combined wind–wave–earthquake loadings, for different load cases, considering fixed and flexible foundation models. It is shown that earthquake loading may cause a significant increase of stress resultant demands, even for moderate peak ground accelerations, and that fully coupled nonlinear time-domain simulations on full system models are essential to capture relevant information on the moment demand in the rotor blades, which cannot be predicted by analyses on simplified models allowed by existing standards. A comparison with some typical design load cases substantiates the need for an accurate seismic assessment in sites at risk from earthquakes.
New perspectives in offshore wind energy
Authors: Failla Giuseppe , Arena Felice
Published: January 2015

The design of offshore wind turbines is one of the most fascinating challenges in renewable energy. Meeting the objective of increasing power production with reduced installation and maintenance costs requires a multi-disciplinary approach, bringing together expertise in different fields of engineering. The purpose of this theme issue is to offer a broad perspective on some crucial aspects of offshore wind turbines design, discussing the state of the art and presenting recent theoretical and experimental studies.
COBRA-LIKE2, a Member of the Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored COBRA-LIKE Family, Plays a Role in Cellulose Deposition in Arabidopsis Seed Coat Mucilage Secretory Cells ,
Authors: Ben-Tov Daniela , Abraham Yael , Stav Shira , Thompson Kevin , Loraine Ann , Elbaum Rivka , de Souza Amancio , Pauly Markus , Kieber Joseph J. , Harpaz-Saad Smadar
Published: January 2015

Differentiation of the maternally derived seed coat epidermal cells into mucilage secretory cells is a common adaptation in angiosperms. Recent studies identified cellulose as an important component of seed mucilage in various species. Cellulose is deposited as a set of rays that radiate from the seed upon mucilage extrusion, serving to anchor the pectic component of seed mucilage to the seed surface. Using transcriptome data encompassing the course of seed development, we identified COBRA-LIKE2 (COBL2), a member of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored COBRA-LIKE gene family in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), as coexpressed with other genes involved in cellulose deposition in mucilage secretory cells. Disruption of the COBL2 gene results in substantial reduction in the rays of cellulose present in seed mucilage, along with an increased solubility of the pectic component of the mucilage. Light birefringence demonstrates a substantial decrease in crystalline cellulose deposition into the cellulosic rays of the cobl2 mutants. Moreover, crystalline cellulose deposition into the radial cell walls and the columella appears substantially compromised, as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy and in situ quantification of light birefringence. Overall, the cobl2 mutants display about 40% reduction in whole-seed crystalline cellulose content compared with the wild type. These data establish that COBL2 plays a role in the deposition of crystalline cellulose into various secondary cell wall structures during seed coat epidermal cell differentiation.
Crystal structure of bis(azido-κN)bis[2,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-κ2N2,N3]nickel(II)
Authors: Laachir Abdelhakim , Bentiss Fouad , Guesmi Salaheddine , Saadi Mohamed , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: January 2015

Reaction of 2,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole and sodium azide with nickel(II) triflate yielded the mononuclear title complex, [Ni(N3)2(C12H8N4S)2]. The NiIIion is located on a centre of symmetry and is octahedrally coordinated by four N atoms of the two bidentate heterocyclic ligands in the equatorial plane. The axial positions are occupied by the N atoms of two almost linear azide ions [N—N—N = 178.8 (2)°]. The thiadiazole and pyridine rings of the heterocyclic ligand are almost coplanar, with a maximum deviation from the mean plane of 0.0802 (9) Å. The cohesion of the crystal structure is ensured by π–π interactions between parallel pyridine rings of neighbouring molecules [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.6413 (14) Å], leading to a layered arrangement of the molecules parallel to (001).
Crystal structure of dimanganese(II) zinc bis[orthophosphate(V)] monohydrate
Authors: Alhakmi Ghaleb , Assani Abderrazzak , Saadi Mohamed , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: January 2015

The title compound, Mn2Zn(PO4)2·H2O, was obtained under hydrothermal conditions. The structure is isotypic with other transition metal phosphates of the typeM3−xM′x(PO4)2·H2O, but shows no statistical disorder of the three metallic sites. The principal building units are distorted [MnO6] and [MnO5(H2O)] octahedra, a distorted [ZnO5] square pyramid and two regular PO4tetrahedra. The connection of the polyhedra leads to a framework structure. Two types of layers parallel to (-101) can be distinguished in this framework. One layer contains [Zn2O8] dimers linked to PO4tetrahedraviacommon edges. The other layer is more corrugated and contains [Mn2O8(H2O)2] dimers and [MnO6] octahedra linked together by common edges. The PO4tetrahedra link the two types of layers into a framework structure with channels parallel to [101]. The H atoms of the water molecules point into the channels and form O—H...O hydrogen bonds (one of which is bifurcated) with framework O atoms across the channels.
How do wet markets still survive in Taiwan?
Authors: Huang Chi-tsun , Tsai Kuen-Hung , Chen Yu-Chih
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to answer why wet markets still survive in Taiwan while facing to fierce competition from western-style supermarkets.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors adopt the perspectives of retail service to develop a model to address how food quality, relational benefit, and personnel service affect consumers’ satisfaction. A sample of 250 consumers was surveyed in a major wet market at Taiwan.

Findings

– The results obtained from the partial least square (PLS) method reveal that food quality and relational benefit positively affect consumers’ satisfaction, and the effects of these increase with time; employee service has a positive effect on consumers’ satisfaction, but the effect decreases with time; and the ambience does affect consumer satisfaction, but the store design does not.

Originality/value

– This paper provides empirical answers to the question about why wet markets still play a critical role in the food retailing industry in a newly industrial economy where consumer’ tastes are supposed to be more westernized or so-called ‘supermarketized’ four decades after the introduction of supermarkets.
Assessing consumers’ adoption of active and intelligent packaging
Authors: Aday Mehmet Seckin , Yener Ugur
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the purchase behavior with regard to innovative food packaging techniques and sociodemographic properties of consumers in Turkey (the crossroads of Europe and Asia).

Design/methodology/approach

– The survey was conducted with 365 people (around 50 persons for each region) who live in the different regions to represent the whole population of Turkey as good as possible. Questionnaire methodology was used to achieve the research objectives. Multiple-choice test which consists of 24 questions (Table I) were selected in order to keep the questionnaire at a reasonable length. Questionnaires were distributed to the respondents in small groups for effective communication. Multiple correspondence, decision tree and prospect profiles statistic procedures were used to identify the purchase behavior.

Findings

– In the study, some consumers worried that innovative packages might mislead them and therefore sales should be handled under trusted brands. Majority of consumers were willing to use innovative food packages to prevent the microbial spoilage. Consumers indicated that they do not want to see sachets in active food packages due to the probability of mistaken. Consumers who chose the price as a first thing to get their attention in food packaging, would accept the increase in price lesser than 10 percent after seeing the positive impacts of innovative packaging. Most of the consumers’ (74.79 percent) expectation from innovative packaging was the visual ability to observe the history and freshness of foods inside the packaging. Participants indicated that education through commercials (40.55 percent) would be the most effective way in order to increase the overall acceptability for innovative packaging.

Research limitations/implications

– The limitation of this study was that, these questionnaires were applied only to Turkish consumers and findings might not be applicable to other countries.

Practical implications

– Better understanding of consumer adoption of innovative packages can help to minimize rejection of innovative technologies. Knowledge of consumer behaviors toward active and intelligent packaging can contribute to developing better industry strategies.

Originality/value

– This paper gives the detailed information about purchasing behavior of Turkish consumers’ regarding innovative packaging techniques.
Trust in and through labelling – a systematic review and critique
Authors: Tonkin Emma , Wilson Annabelle M , Coveney John , Webb Trevor , Meyer Samantha B
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– Distrust of conventional food supply systems impacts consumer food choice. This in turn has implications for consumer nutrition outcomes and acceptance of expert advice regarding food and health. The research exploring consumer trust is found across a broad range of research streams, and is not cohesive in topic or approach. The purpose of this paper is to synthesise the disparate literature exploring the interaction between food labelling and consumer trust to determine what is known, and gaps in knowledge regarding food labelling and consumer trust.

Design/methodology/approach

– A systematic search of trust and food labelling literature was conducted, with study results synthesised and integrated. Studies were then critically analysed for the conceptualisation of the consumer, the label, and their interaction with a framework developed using social theories of trust.

Findings

– In total, 27 studies were identified. It was found that not only is the current literature predominantly atheoretical, but the conceptualisation of labelling has been limited.

Research limitations/implications

– Further empirical research is needed to enable a more comprehensive understanding of the role food labelling plays in influencing consumer trust in food systems.

Originality/value

– This research develops a conceptualisation of the dual roles food labelling may play in influencing consumer trust in food systems. It distinguishes between trust in food labelling itself, and the trust consumers develop in the food supply system through food labelling. The novel theoretical model and synthesis provide a foundation upon which future research may be conducted.
Who cares about fish welfare?
Authors: Ellingsen Kristian , Grimsrud Kristine , Nielsen Hanne Marie , Mejdell Cecilie , Olesen Ingrid , Honkanen Pirjo , Navrud Ståle , Gamborg Christian , Sandøe Peter
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to assess how concerned Norwegians are about fish welfare; second, to investigate Norwegians’ willingness to pay for salmon filet made from welfare-assured farmed fish with high levels of welfare; and third, to examine Norwegian opinions about the appropriate way to pay for better welfare standards in fish production.

Design/methodology/approach

– On the basis of two focus group sessions, a survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to a representative sample of 2,147 Norwegian households via e-mail.

Findings

– Results showed that the Norwegian public is concerned about fish welfare and is willing to pay a price premium for products made from welfare-assured fish. Norwegian consumers do not, however, want to be the only ones paying for fish welfare, as the main responsibility for fish welfare lies with producers and the Government.

Research limitations/implications

– In this study willingness to pay is measured using a hypothetical choice experiment. Values people express as citizens, however, may not accurately predict true consumer behaviour. This is generally referred to as “citizen-consumer duality” and may have affected the results.

Practical implications

– The study shows that there is a national market for welfare-assured fish products, but education initiatives focusing on fish farming and fish welfare issues would further influence the attitudes and purchasing habits of Norwegian consumers.

Originality/value

– Although concern about animal welfare is growing in the western world, very little attention has been given to the welfare of fish. This paper aims to make up for this by presenting a study of how Norwegians view the welfare of farmed salmon.
Inulin in food products: prebiotic and functional ingredient
Authors: González-Herrera Silvia Marina , Herrera Raul Rodriguez , López Mercedes Guadalupe , Rutiaga Olga Miriam , Aguilar Cristobal Noe , Esquivel Juan Carlos Contreras , Martínez Luz Araceli Ochoa
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the variety of food in which it has been applied as a prebiotic and functional ingredient, the concentrations used there in, the tests that have been conducted on these fortified foods and briefly reviews the history and characteristics of inulin.

Design/methodology/approach

– The review included articles from 1999-2013. The papers which reported inulin concentrations used, the purpose of the application and tests on final product, were mainly selected. Articles were collected in electronic databases such as Elsevier-Science Direct, Emerald, Springer Link, Wiley and Redalyc.

Findings

– The interaction inulin-food with different food matrices is complex, and is not always technologically favorable for the product. Moreover, additional to evaluations of sensory, physicochemical and rheological characteristics, it is essential to carry out measurements in the food, of such characteristics as prebiotic content, and prebiotic activityin vivoandin vitro, and assess potential adverse reactions in order to define suitable doses of consumption.

Originality/value

– The paper highlights the importance of conducting in vitro and in vivo testing of potential prebiotic inulin-supplemented food in order to define dose that benefit health and do not cause unacceptable gastrointestinal distress.
The value of food resources
Authors: Wu Wenbiao
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to help understanding the value of food resources (FRs). This may raise global awareness on their importance in macro- and micro-economics.

Design/methodology/approach

– The relationship of FRs with human life was analyzed through literature review to illustrate their real value. Association of FRs production with the probability of becoming a high income country was estimated by analyzing the relevant data published by FAOSTAT, World Bank and United Nations to illustrate their value in macro-economy. Analyzing the interrelationship of prices with their attributes through literature review and the correlation of the relevant data published by FAOSTAT and OECD was undertaken to create a mathematical model for pricing FRs.

Findings

– The real value of FRs is unaccountable, which makes their economic value (price) be not always determined on market. Increase in the probability of becoming a high income country with increase in FRs production indicates that their shortage may bottleneck macro-economic development. A mathematical model has been created for estimating the economic value of FRs.

Practical implications

– These findings are applicable for managing (or administrating), pricing or evaluating FRs, analyzing their economic status, developing business and predicting tendency in micro-economy. They are also vital for managing or developing macro-economy. The findings should be useful for farmers, food companies, governmental agents, individuals, etc.

Originality/value

– This is the first to report these findings. This is a significant progress in FRs research and valuable for education.
Evaluation of research methods to study domestic food preparation
Authors: Bongoni Radhika , Verkerk Ruud , Dekker Matthijs , Steenbekkers Bea
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– Domestic preparation practices influence the sensory properties and nutritional composition of food products. Information on the variability in actual domestic preparation practices is needed to assess the influence of applied conditions on the sensory and nutritional quality of food. The collection of such information requires a reliable, valid and practical research method. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Direct in-home observations, observations in a model-kitchen using cameras, and a self-reporting questionnaire were evaluated for reliability and validity, to study domestic food preparation practices by consumers. Broccoli preparation practices by Dutch consumers were checked by these three methods in this research paper.

Findings

– All three research methods were found to be test-retest, inter-observer, parallel-form reliable; and face, content and concurrent valid. However, the self-reporting questionnaire is the most practical research method that can be administered on a large number of respondents in a short time to capture the wide variations in preparation practices.

Originality/value

– Consumers can be assisted on domestic food preparation practices that reach their sensory preferences (e.g. texture, colour) as well as have health benefits on consumption.
Determining improvement needs in higher education benchmarking
Authors: Asif Muhammad
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– A critical step in all benchmarking methodologies is “to determine what to benchmark.” Although benchmarking methodologies have been noted in the literature, the need has arisen for the development of structured approaches to determine priority improvement needs. The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for determining improvement needs in higher education benchmarking.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper makes use of the analytic hierarchy process to develop a framework. The application of the framework is demonstrated through a case study.

Findings

– The framework discussed in this paper is consensus-based, allows different viewpoints to be integrated, and promotes input to and ownership of the decision making process and its outcomes. The feedback of the participants confirmed the usefulness of the approach.

Practical implications

– The previous research has established that determining improvement needs in benchmarking was mostly unsystematic and ad hoc based. And failures in precisely determining improvement needs can result in a lack of alignment between processes to be benchmarked and strategic priorities of higher education institutions (HEIs). The developed framework can help determine priority improvement needs aligned with the strategic priorities of the HEI.

Originality/value

– Since continual improvement is an essential element of all quality initiatives, the framework provides a starting point for benchmarking as well as other improvement initiatives such as total quality management.
Interrelations of service quality and service loyalty dimensions in medical tourism
Authors: Debata Bikash Ranjan , Patnaik Bhaswati , Mahapatra Siba Sankar , Sree Kumar
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the dimensions of service quality as well as of service loyalty in the context of medical tourism. It seeks to demonstrate the conceptualization of medical tourism service loyalty (MTSL) construct. This research also attempts to examine the effect of service quality dimensions on service loyalty dimensions of medical tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

– The dimensions of service quality as well as of service loyalty are identified using an exploratory factor analysis. Next, the reliability and validity of the quality factors and loyalty factors are established through confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS 18.0 version. The related hypotheses are tested using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

– The paper identifies eight-factor construct for medical tourism service quality and three-factor construct for MTSL. It is found that the treatment satisfaction dimension of service quality has positive and significant impact on MTSL. It is also observed that, overall, medical tourism service quality has positive impact on MTSL.

Practical implications

– These dimensions of service quality should be viewed as the levers of improving perceived service quality with respect to medical tourism. Examining the service quality dimensions’ impact on customer loyalty for medical tourism sector can offer the industry valuable insights regarding which aspects of the service to focus on in order to improve medical tourist’s satisfaction and loyalty toward the firms.

Originality/value

– This paper introduces the concept of service quality and service loyalty in medical tourism sector. In conceptualizing MTSL, the authors propose an integration of behavioral measures, attitudinal measures and cognitive measures. The interrelationship between the service quality construct and medical loyalty construct was established using SEM. This is useful for the healthcare manager to measure the medical tourist’s perceptions of service quality on these dimensions as related to medical tourism performance.
Durable product review mining for customer segmentation
Authors: Jiang Shimiao , Cai Shuqin , Olle Olle Georges , Qin Zhiyong
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– More and more e-commerce web sites are using online customer reviews (OCRs) for customer segmentation. However, for durable products, customer purchases, and reviews only once for a long time, as while the product review score may highly affected by service factors or be “gently” evaluated. Existing regression or machine learning-based methods suffer from low accuracy when applied to the OCRs of durable products on e-commerce web sites. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new approach for customer segment analysis base on OCRs of durable products.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research proposes a two-stage approach that employs latent class analysis (LCA): the feature-mention matrix construction stage and the LCA-based customer segmentation stage. The approach considers reviewers’ mention on product features, and the probability-based LCA method is adopted upon the characteristics of online reviews, to effectively cluster reviewers into specified segmentations.

Findings

– The research finding is that, using feature-mention instead of feature-opinion records makes segment analysis more effective. The research also finds that, LCA method can better explain the characteristics of the OCR data of durable products for customer segmentation.

Practical implications

– The research proposes a new approach to durable product review mining for customer segmentation analysis. The segment analysis result can provide supports for new product design and development, repositioning of existing products, marketing strategy development and product differentiation.

Originality/value

– A new approach for customer segmentation analysis base on OCRs of durable products is proposed.