bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Manifestations of workplace ostracism: an insight into academics' psychological well-being
Authors: Fatima Tehreem , Bilal Ahmad Raza , Imran Muhammad Kashif , Sarwar Ambreen
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Ostracism is a subjective and relative concept that renders itself to multiple manifestations and context-specific outcomes. Therefore, this study identified specific behaviours that are perceived as workplace ostracism by teaching faculty of Pakistani Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). Building on belongingness theory, the ramifications of ostracism on psychological well-being are outlined along with the context-specific factors that shape these outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

A phenomenological approach was adopted, and 30 semi-structured interviews from the teaching faculty of HEIs in Lahore, Pakistan, were conducted. The transcribed interviews were coded, and an inductive thematic analysis via NVivo 12 Plus software was used to generate themes and sub-themes.

Findings

Five behaviours, i.e. biased treatment, exclusion from formal and informal interactions, interpersonal alienation, delayed sharing or hiding of knowledge, lack of work-related, social and emotional support constituted the acts of ostracism in studied HEIs. The psychological well-being of faculty suffered in terms of negative emotions, reduced job, career and life satisfaction in their work and family life. The contextual factors deciding the intensity of outcomes resulting from workplace encompassed head of department (HOD) support, pay, friendly relations, fear of confrontation, alternative job options and designation of faculty members.

Originality/value

This research is a pioneer in using an in-depth phenomenological approach to define a behavioural typology of ostracism in academia. Moreover, a much needed holistic outcome of psychological well-being is explored in work and non-work domains and further elucidated in light of context-specific factors.
An interaction effect of perceived government response on COVID-19 and government agency’s use of ICT in building trust among citizens of Pakistan
Authors: Mansoor Mahnaz
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Among the digital age players, one of the fastest-growing digital channels is social media. In the past few years, developing nations’ government entities and political parties started using social media platforms to broadcast important information regarding decisions made at the state level. Pakistan is among those countries. Therefore, this study aims to empirically investigate the impact of the government agency’s provision of quality information on social media in establishing trust among citizens of Pakistan in a government agency with an underlying mechanism of citizens’ perception about agency’s transparency and responsiveness along with moderating role of perceived government response on COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 542 social media followers of the Associated Press of Pakistan (a government news agency) and was analysed using measurement and structural models by using SmartPLS 3.3.0.

Findings

Results revealed that the interactive effect of government response on COVID-19 and government agency’s provision of quality information on social media strengthens the association of government presence on social media with citizens’ perception of the agency’s transparency and responsiveness and their trust in the agency.

Practical implications

Furthermore, the current study will contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the government agency’s use of information and communication technology and the government’s resultant response on COVID-19.

Originality/value

An extensive study of the literature revealed a gap available regarding the mediatory role of the citizens’ perception about agency’s transparency and responsiveness in between the association of government agency’s provision of quality information on social media and citizens’ trust in the government agency. Also, to the best of the author’s knowledge, no study to date has investigated the moderating role of government response on COVID-19 in between the relationship of government agency’s provision of quality on social media and citizens’ trust in the government agency and their perception about agency’s transparency and responsiveness. Thus, the current study aimed to address these existing gaps in the literature.
Political engagement in the 2019 UK general election of patients with autism and/or a learning disability detained in a psychiatric hospital
Authors: Armstrong Richard
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This case study aims to describe how patients with autism and/or a learning disability detained in a psychiatric hospital were supported to register and vote in the 2019 UK general election.

Design/methodology/approach

A speech and language therapist supported patients to register and vote. Data on the number of patients who registered and voted are reported as well as feedback from patients about their experiences.

Findings

Forty-two per cent of patients registered to vote; 27% did not want to register; and 31% could not understand the information provided and/or state a clear preference because of the severity of their cognitive and communication difficulties. Fifteen per cent of patients voted and were all first-time voters.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates that it is possible to support significant numbers of autistic and learning disabled patients in a psychiatric hospital to register for and vote in a parliamentary election.
Methodology and mechanisms for federation of heterogeneous metadata sources and ontology development in emerging collaborative environment
Authors: Pang Beibei , Gou Juanqiong , Afsarmanesh Hamideh , Mu Wenxin , Zhang Zuopeng
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Leading-edge information and communication technology provides the base to facilitate obtaining, interoperating and federating shared metadata knowledge in collaborative networks from multiple heterogeneous data sources. The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology and a set of mechanisms to support this task in the collaborative environment.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors first identify and capture four main typical sources to find or generate metadata knowledge for shared data in emerging networked environments, including existing well-designed metadata, the typical ones are relational schemas of existing databases in the environment; fragmented metadata sources, i.e. metadata that can be realized from existing mission statements and example application scenarios in the environment, usually characterized by their fragmented, lightweight and behavior-intensive features; extracting metadata for simple labeled unstructured data, e.g. textual communications among its stakeholders; and semantic constraints on metadata, e.g. the temporal data behavior could be generated from governance policies in the environment. Second, the authors introduce their systematic methodology to the unification of the resulted metadata consisting of four semiautomated unification steps that gradually develops and enhances a unified ontology for the environment, formalized in web ontology language.

Findings

The methodology steps and their corresponding mechanisms are described and exemplified in detail in this paper. Furthermore, this paper presents the outcome of applying the authors’ methodology to an example emerging case through the generation of a unified ontology for that environment.

Originality/value

The addressed example application area is a real case in the field of higher education in China and therefore serves as a proof of concept and verification of the effectiveness of the authors’ proposed approach.
Customer’s digital advocacy: the impact of reviews and influencers in building trust for tourism and hospitality services
Authors: Dutta Kirti , Sharma Kirti , Goyal Terjani
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Marketers are focusing on the need for customer advocacy to influence other customers and drive consumption. The purpose of this paper is to explore whether online or digital advocacy influences customer decision-making related to the purchase of travel and tourism services. This paper will also identify the categories of influencers that stimulate purchase for travel and tourism. Influencers do want to know the kind of information customers are looking for.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a primary survey of travelers to understand their degree of dependence on online reviews while making hospitality consumption-related decisions.

Findings

This paper looks at both influencer marketing and online reviews by consumers to understand consumption toward advocated brand. Influencers who are perceived as unbiased in their viewpoints are trending on social media. Consumers gain trust in reviews that disclose reviewer information, number of relevant reviews are present over a period and presence of both unbiased positive and negative recommendations related to the establishment and prices versus performance.

Practical implications

Marketers and influencers alike can gain from the factors influencing consumer trust toward online advocacy and reviewed information.

Originality/value

Research is relevant for all stakeholders as it highlights the fact that consumers are looking at online reviews and one does not have to be a famous personality to influence purchase. It is relevant for influencers, as it highlights reasons for trust and various information cues that consumers are looking for. Research also gives perspective to influencers to refine online strategy and gain trust of more followers.
Kiosks as self-service technology in hotels: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Gupta Kanika , Sharma Sanjay
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The advent of technology has played a crucial role in changing the landscape of the hospitality sector. One such technology is the adoption and installation of kiosks in hotels. While some of the hotels have adopted and installed kiosks for self-services, the other hotels are still not very comfortable with the idea of self-service. This paper aims to explore the possibilities, challenges and issues that hoteliers face while dealing with self-service kiosks, it further investigates the customer’s perspective and its benefits to the end-user.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has assimilated data from hotel managers and executives that have deployed kiosks. This study involved the collection of primary data through structured interviews. Eight different hotels from the UK and India have been compared and analyzed to formulate subcategories to answer the research questions. A total of 200 customers from both the countries were approached to get the primary data; the customers were from the same hotel where the hotel executives and managers were interviewed.

Findings

The customers accepted Kiosks as easy to use, fast to run, fun to operate, but, lacking human interaction and counter language issues were simultaneously discussed. Kiosks have been emerging as self-service technologies in hotels and play a key role in reducing bottlenecks in hotel operations. The technology anxiety and counter service argument is merely a transition phase that will fade away gradually. However, the financial feasibility and the level of adoption depend upon the level of operations and the demographic characteristics of customers.

Research limitations/implications

The dependence of data from the person interviewed and their biases for answers, along with the trust and credibility of the data available online remain the biggest challenge. Increasing the sample size and more participation from different hotels would have made the study even more useful.

Originality/value

The research seeks to eliminate the gap in research by studying both the hotels' and the customers' perspective toward kiosks deployment in hotels. The results of the study would highlight the potential challenges being faced by hotel operations and opportunities they perceive in kiosks installation, therefore the results are very useful for hotels, hoteliers, academicians and students pursuing a career in the hospitality sector.
Analysis of pore water pressures in an earth dam under operating conditions (case of Taksebt Dam, Algeria)
Authors: Terbouche Farid , Hamza Ali , Gabi Smail
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the analysis of the dissipation of pore water pressures in the core of an earth dam, under the effect of water level fluctuations in the reservoir under operating conditions, taking into account the partial emptying and filling.

Design/methodology/approach

The Taksebt Dam, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria was chosen as a case study, using a two-dimensional transient finite element numerical model. The GeoStudio calculation software is used through the SEEP/W. The latter takes into account the flow in the saturated and unsaturated zone, the formulation of SEEP/W allows the analysis of the dissipation of pore water pressures in the dyke. Starting from the maximum level of the reservoir, at least one cycle of partial emptying-filling was modelled over an eight-year operating period from 2011 to 2019. The input variables were the water level variation curve, material properties and boundary conditions.

Findings

It can be concluded that the numerical results obtained from the simulation model on the different points studied, namely, the pore water pressures are satisfactory as long as they are close to those recorded in the field by the pore pressure cells with an average error not exceeding 10% except for some measurements where the error is 20%. When the water level in the reservoir varies, the pore water pressures vary and their behaviour follows these fluctuations. Some points in the dam are affected by negative pore water pressures. No abnormal situations have been detected pore water pressures.

Originality/value

The numerical results of the simulation are analysed and validated against actual pore pressure cell measurements under operating conditions.
HSI-GCN: hyperspectral image classification algorithm based on Gabor convolutional networks
Authors: Youcef Moudjib Houari , Haibin Duan , Zhang Baochang , Ahmed Ghaleb Mohammed Salah
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) systems are becoming potent technologies for computer vision tasks due to the rich information they uncover, where each substance exhibits a distinct spectral distribution. Although the high spectral dimensionality of the data empowers feature learning, the joint spatial–spectral features have not been well explored yet. Gabor convolutional networks (GCNs) incorporate Gabor filters into a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) to extract discriminative features of different orientations and frequencies. To the best if the authors’ knowledge, this paper introduces the exploitation of GCNs for hyperspectral image classification (HSI-GCN) for the first time. HSI-GCN is able to extract deep joint spatial–spectral features more rapidly and accurately despite the shortage of training samples. The authors thoroughly evaluate the effectiveness of used method on different hyperspectral data sets, where promising results and high classification accuracy have been achieved compared to the previously proposed CNN-based and Gabor-based methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have implemented the new algorithm of Gabor convolution network on the hyperspectral images for classification purposes.

Findings

Implementing the new GCN has shown unexpectable results with an excellent classification accuracy.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work is the first one that implements this approach.
Properties of self-compacting mortar made with various mineralogical sources different types of sands and fillers
Authors: Nécira Brahim , Abadou Yacine
Published: May 2021

Purpose

By its high fluidity, great deformability and rheological stability, the self-compacting mortar (SCM) is capable of ensuring the ability to be easily implemented without vibration. However, its formulation requires a large volume of fine materials with a high dosage of cement, which is necessary to ensure adequate workability and mechanical strengths, which is necessary to allow its flow. Current environmental considerations encourage reducing the production of cement, it is essential to use additions to replace the cement, because of their great availability and their moderate price. On another side, their use contributes to an economic sort to solve the problems related to the environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The formulations and characteristics of SCM made with two types of mineralogical sources (silica and limestone) were investigated. Different materials were used separately and in binary combinations; silica river sand (SRS), limestone quarry sand (LQS), silica fillers (SF) and limestone fillers (LF). The formulation starts with the self-compacting pastes (SCPs) then the SCMs at the SRS and the LQS whose the cement is partially replaced by volume contents of SF and LF with 15%, 30% and 45%.

Findings

The results obtained prove that the incorporation of LQS instead of SRS has a negative effect on the fluidity and deformability and a positive effect on the mechanical strengths of SCM. In addition, the incorporation of the SF and LF reduces the need for water and the saturation dose of superplasticizer in the pastes. Thus, the addition of the SF and LF in specific voluminal contents (15% SF and 30% LF) in the binder can have a beneficial effect on the parameters of the workability and the mechanical strengths of SCM. These results are very interesting to aspects such as technological, economic and environmental.

Originality/value

Influence of the different type of sands and fillers in improvements the properties of SCM made from various mineralogical sources.
Building an ecologically founded disease risk prioritization framework for migratory wildlife species based on contact with livestock
Authors: Khanyari Munib , Robinson Sarah , Morgan Eric R. , Brown Tony , Singh Navinder J. , Salemgareyev Albert , Zuther Steffen , Kock Richard , Milner‐Gulland E. J.
Published: May 2021

Shared use of rangelands by livestock and wildlife can lead to disease transmission. To align agricultural livelihoods with wildlife conservation, a multipronged and interdisciplinary approach for disease management is needed, particularly in data‐limited situations with migratory hosts. Migratory wildlife and livestock can range over vast areas, and opportunities for disease control interventions are limited. Predictive frameworks are needed which can allow for identification of potential sites and timings of interventions.

We developed an iterative three‐step framework to assess cross‐species disease transmission risk between migrating wildlife and livestock in data‐limited circumstances and across social‐ecological scales. The framework first assesses risk of transmission for potentially important diseases for hosts in a multi‐use landscape. Following this, it uses an epidemiological risk function to represent transmission‐relevant contact patterns, using density and distribution of the host to map locations and periods of disease risk. Finally, it takes fine‐scale data on livestock management and observed wildlife–livestock interactions to provide locally relevant insights on disease risk.

We applied the framework to characterize disease transmission between livestock and saiga antelopes Saiga tatarica in Central Kazakhstan.

At step 1, we identified peste‐des‐petits‐ruminants as posing a high risk of transmission from livestock to saigas, foot‐and‐mouth disease as low risk, lumpy skin disease as unknown and pasteurellosis as uncertain risk. At step 2, we identified regions of high disease transmission risk at different times of year, indicating where disease management should be focussed. At step 3, we synthesized field surveys, government data and literature review to assess the role of livestock in the 2015 saiga mass mortality event from pasteurellosis, concluding that it was minimal.

Synthesis and applications. Our iterative framework has wide applicability in assessing and predicting disease spill‐over at management‐relevant temporal and spatial scales in areas where livestock share space with migratory species. Our case study demonstrated the value of combining ecological and social information to inform management of targeted interventions to reduce disease risk, which can be used to plan disease surveillance and vaccination programmes.
Floral complexity can help maintain plant diversity by inducing pollinator specialization
Authors: Gurevich Yael , Hadany Lilach
Published: May 2021

The global decline in plant biodiversity throughout recent human history has attracted broad scientific attention, as biodiversity plays a key role in promoting a productive ecosystem. Pollination is a major factor in plant survival but carries an additional cost for locally rare plant species: they are likely to receive high levels of incompatible pollen that does not contribute to reproduction and can even impair seed production. Therefore, floral traits that diminish the risk of incompatible pollen receipt may be favoured by natural selection.

We developed a theoretical framework to explore the influence of floral morphological complexity on competition for pollinator services between self‐incompatible simultaneously flowering plant species.

We show that when a rare plant species is morphologically complex, it may persist in competition with a more common species.

Synthesis. The results show that, through its influence on pollinator foraging behaviour, complex floral morphology can contribute to the maintenance of plant diversity.
The genetic and ecophysiological diversity of Microcystis
Authors: Dick Gregory J. , Duhaime Melissa B. , Evans Jacob T. , Errera Reagan M. , Godwin Casey M. , Kharbush Jenan J. , Nitschky Helena S. , Powers McKenzie A. , Vanderploeg Henry A. , Schmidt Kathryn C. , Smith Derek J. , Yancey Colleen E. , Zwiers Claire C. , Denef Vincent J.
Published: May 2021

Microcystis is a cyanobacterium that forms toxic blooms in freshwater ecosystems around the world. Biological variation among taxa within the genus is apparent through genetic and phenotypic differences between strains and via the spatial and temporal distribution of strains in the environment, and this fine‐scale diversity exerts strong influence over bloom toxicity. Yet we do not know how varying traits of Microcystis strains govern their environmental distribution, the tradeoffs and links between these traits, or how they are encoded at the genomic level. Here we synthesize current knowledge on the importance of diversity within Microcystis and on the genes and traits that likely underpin ecological differentiation of taxa. We briefly review spatial and environmental patterns of Microcystis diversity in the field and genetic evidence for cohesive groups within Microcystis. We then compile data on strain‐level diversity regarding growth responses to environmental conditions and explore evidence for variation of community interactions across Microcystis strains. Potential links and tradeoffs between traits are identified and discussed. The resulting picture, while incomplete, highlights key knowledge gaps that need to be filled to enable new models for predicting strain‐level dynamics, which influence the development, toxicity and cosmopolitan nature of Microcystis blooms.
Gas cell stabilization by aqueous‐phase constituents during bread production from wheat and rye dough and oat batter: Dough or batter liquor as model system
Authors: Janssen Frederik , Wouters Arno G. B. , Delcour Jan A.
Published: May 2021

Proper gas cell stability during fermentation and baking is essential to obtain high‐quality bread. Gas cells in wheat dough are stabilized by the gluten network formed during kneading and, from the moment this network locally ruptures, by liquid films containing nonstarch polysaccharides (NSPs) and surface‐active proteins and lipids. Dough liquor (DL), the supernatant after ultracentrifugation of dough, is a model system for these liquid films and has been extensively studied mostly in the context of wheat bread making. Nonwheat breads are often of lower quality (loaf volume and crumb structure) than wheat breads because their doughs/batters lack a viscoelastic wheat gluten network. Therefore, gas cell stabilization by liquid film constituents may be more important in nonwheat than in wheat bread making. This manuscript aims to review the knowledge on DL/batter liquor (BL) and its relevance for studying gas cell stabilization in wheat and nonwheat (rye and oat) bread making. To this end, the unit operations in wheat, rye, and oat bread making are described with emphasis on gas incorporation and gas cell (de)stabilization. A discussion of the knowledge on the recoveries and chemical structures of proteins, lipids, and NSPs in DLs/BLs is provided and key findings of studies dealing with foaming and air–water interfacial properties of DL/BL are discussed. Next, the extent to which DL/BL functionality can be related to bread properties is addressed. Finally, the extent to which DL/BL is a representative model system for the aqueous phase of dough/batter is discussed and related to knowledge gaps and further research opportunities.
Aspects of high hydrostatic pressure food processing: Perspectives on technology and food safety
Authors: Aganovic Kemal , Hertel Christian , Vogel Rudi. F. , Johne Reimar , Schlüter Oliver , Schwarzenbolz Uwe , Jäger Henry , Holzhauser Thomas , Bergmair Johannes , Roth Angelika , Sevenich Robert , Bandick Niels , Kulling Sabine E. , Knorr Dietrich , Engel Karl‐Heinz , Heinz Volker
Published: May 2021

The last two decades saw a steady increase of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) used for treatment of foods. Although the science of biomaterials exposed to high pressure started more than a century ago, there still seem to be a number of unanswered questions regarding safety of foods processed using HHP. This review gives an overview on historical development and fundamental aspects of HHP, as well as on potential risks associated with HHP food applications based on available literature. Beside the combination of pressure and temperature, as major factors impacting inactivation of vegetative bacterial cells, bacterial endospores, viruses, and parasites, factors, such as food matrix, water content, presence of dissolved substances, and pH value, also have significant influence on their inactivation by pressure. As a result, pressure treatment of foods should be considered for specific food groups and in accordance with their specific chemical and physical properties. The pressure necessary for inactivation of viruses is in many instances slightly lower than that for vegetative bacterial cells; however, data for food relevant human virus types are missing due to the lack of methods for determining their infectivity. Parasites can be inactivated by comparatively lower pressure than vegetative bacterial cells. The degrees to which chemical reactions progress under pressure treatments are different to those of conventional thermal processes, for example, HHP leads to lower amounts of acrylamide and furan. Additionally, the formation of new unknown or unexpected substances has not yet been observed. To date, no safety‐relevant chemical changes have been described for foods treated by HHP. Based on existing sensitization to non‐HHP‐treated food, the allergenic potential of HHP‐treated food is more likely to be equivalent to untreated food. Initial findings on changes in packaging materials under HHP have not yet been adequately supported by scientific data.
The occurrence, growth, and biocontrol of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh and surface‐ripened soft and semisoft cheeses
Authors: Falardeau Justin , Trmčić Aljoša , Wang Siyun
Published: May 2021

Listeria monocytogenes continues to pose a food safety risk in ready‐to‐eat foods, including fresh and soft/semisoft cheeses. Despite L. monocytogenes being detected regularly along the cheese production continuum, variations in cheese style and intrinsic/extrinsic factors throughout the production process (e.g., pH, water activity, and temperature) affect the potential for L. monocytogenes survival and growth. As novel preservation strategies against the growth of L. monocytogenes in susceptible cheeses, researchers have investigated the use of various biocontrol strategies, including bacteriocins and bacteriocin‐producing cultures, bacteriophages, and competition with native microbiota. Bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are of particular interest to the dairy industry since they are often effective against Gram‐positive organisms such as L. monocytogenes, and because many LAB are granted Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) status by global food safety authorities. Similarly, bacteriophages are also considered a safe form of biocontrol since they have high specificity for their target bacterium. Both bacteriocins and bacteriophages have shown success in reducing L. monocytogenes populations in cheeses in the short term, but regrowth of surviving cells can commonly occur in the finished cheeses. Competition with native microbiota, not mediated by bacteriocin production, has also shown potential to inhibit the growth of L. monocytogenes in cheeses, but the mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we have reviewed the current knowledge on the growth of L. monocytogenes in fresh and surface‐ripened soft and semisoft cheeses, as well as the various methods used for biocontrol of this common foodborne pathogen.
Favorable therapeutic efficacy of low‐density lipoprotein apheresis for nephrotic syndrome with impaired renal function
Authors: Muso Eri , Sakai Soichi , Ogura Youske , Yukawa Susumu , Nishizawa Yoshiki , Yorioka Noriaki , Saito Takao , Mune Masatoshi , Sugiyama Satoshi , Iino Yasuhiko , Hirano Tsutomu , Hattori Motoshi , Watanabe Tsuyoshi , Yokoyama Hitoshi , Sato Hiroshi , Uchida Shunya , Wada Takashi , Shoji Tetsuo , Oda Hiroaki , Mori Kiyoshi , Kimura Hideki , Ito Osamu , Nishiyama Akira , Maruyama Shoichi , Inagi Reiko , Fujimoto Shoichi , Tsukamoto Tatsuo , Suzuki Yusuke , Honda Hirokazu , Babazono Tetsuya , Tsuruya Kazuhiko , Yuzawa Yukio
Published: May 2021

Many reports have shown the therapeutic efficacy of LDL apheresis (LDL‐A) in drug‐resistant nephrotic syndrome (NS) for improvement of heavy proteinuria and severely impaired renal function. To obtain comprehensive results in a large number of cases, a post hoc analysis of the Prospective Observational survey on the Long‐Term Effects of the LDL‐Apheresis on the Drug Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome (POLARIS) study was performed by stratifying enrolled cases according to the pretreatment estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels indicating normal (N) (≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2), moderately impaired (M) (≥30 to <60 ml/min/1.73 m2), and severely impaired (S) (<30 ml/min/1.73 m2) renal function. Significant improvements of proteinuria and renal function were found in Group N and, most interestingly, in Group M. A tendency for improvement in proteinuria was found in Group S. Most cases in all groups had not entered end‐stage renal disease at 2 years after LDL‐A treatment. These results suggest that LDL‐A has therapeutic efficacy even in cases in which renal function has declined to 30 ml/min/1.73 m2.
Enhanced gelling performance of oxhide gelatin prepared from cowhide scrap by high pressure‐assisted extraction
Authors: He Long , Gao Yongfang , Han Ling , Yu Qunli , Zang Rongyu
Published: May 2021

In this study, the feasibility of preparing oxhide gelatin from cowhide scrap by high pressure assisted‐liquid extraction was verified. Different processing conditions, including high pressure time (15 to 25 min), pressure (250 to 350 MPa), and liquid‐to‐solid ratio (1:3 to 1:5), were optimized through response surface methodology. Under the optimum manufacturing conditions, when the high‐pressure processing (HPP) time was 22 min, the pressure was 289 MPa, and the liquid‐to‐solid ratio was 1:4, the highest extraction yield (36%) and gel strength (224 g) were achieved. Based on DSC, XRD, FTIR, SEM, gelling and melting temperatures, HPP led to the structural modification of the gelatinized collagen, which enhanced the rearrangement of the gel structure during the gelation process and made it have better gelling properties. In addition, compared with the commercial sample, they do not differ significantly in the relaxation time and peak area of prepared oxhide gelatin. These findings provide new insights into the practicability of HPP during the preparation of oxhide gelatin, which can noticeably reduce the processing time and be applied to industrial production.

Practical Application

Compared with traditional processing, a high pressure‐assisted extraction process can noticeably reduce the processing time while producing cowhide gelation with similar physicochemical and functional properties. Meanwhile, high pressure processing (HPP) led to the structural destruction of the cowhide and gelatinized collagen, which enhanced the rearrangement of the gelatin structure during the gelation process and made it have better gelling properties. Importantly, high pressure‐assisted extraction can facilitate the use of a low‐cost raw material and improve the preparation efficiency of oxhide gelatin, which shows great potential in large‐scale and efficient industrial production and the quality control of oxhide gelatin.
Prevalence and associated risk factors of Shigella flexneri isolated from drinking water and retail raw foods in Peshawar, Pakistan
Authors: Nisa Iqbal , Qasim Muhammad , Driessen Arnold , Nijland Jeroen , Rafiullah  , Ali Anwar , Mirza Munazza Raza , Khan Mirza Ali , Khan Taj Ali , Jalal Abdullah , Rahman Hazir
Published: May 2021

This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of Shigella flexneri isolated from drinking water and retail raw food samples in Peshawar, Pakistan. A total of 1,020 different samples were collected from various areas of Peshawar between January 2016 and May 2017, followed by identification of S. flexneri through biochemical, serological, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Potential risk factors associated with the development and spreading of S. flexneri infection were also investigated. Overall, 45 (4.41%) samples were positive for Shigella species. Among these samples, the predominant species was S. flexneri (n = 44) followed by S. boydii (n = 1). Interestingly, S. sonnei and S. dysenteriae isolates were not found in any sample. The isolation rate of S. flexneri in drinking water samples, market raw milk, and fruits/vegetables from Peshawar were 6.47%, 3.5%, and 2.9%, respectively. The phylogenetic reconstruction showed genetic diversity among three clades, as clades I and II have isolates of S. flexneri that were circulating within the drinking water, milk, fruits/vegetables, while clade III isolates were recovered from milk samples. Most of S. flexneri were detected in June to September. Potential risk factors of S. flexneri were water sources contaminated by toilet wastes (p = 0.04), surface water drainage (p = 0.0002), hospital wastes (p = 0.01), unhygienic handling (p < 0.05), and transportation of raw food (p = 0.04). In conclusion, S. flexneri isolates of closely related lineage originating from non‐clinical samples might be associated with an increased human risk to shigellosis in Pakistan, as significant numbers of S. flexneri were observed in the drinking water and retail raw food samples.

Practical Application

This study demonstrated the presence of S. flexneri in drinking water and retail raw food samples which seem to possess a serious threat to public health. Potential sources of food and water contamination should properly be monitored by public health authorities to reduce cases of shigellosis.
Pinhão coat extract encapsulated in starch ultrafine fibers: Thermal, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties and in vitro biological digestion
Authors: Cruz Elder Pacheco da , Fonseca Laura Martins , Radünz Marjana , Silva Francine Tavares da , Gandra Eliezer Avila , Zavareze Elessandra da Rosa , Borges Caroline Dellinghausen
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to produce soluble potato starch ultrafine fibers for the encapsulation of pinhão coat extract (PCE), evaluating their relative crystallinity (RC), thermal stability, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as in vitro biological digestion. In the simulation of in vitro biological digestion, the phenolic compounds release profile was also evaluated. The ultrafine fibers were produced by electrospinning, based on a polymeric solution composed of soluble potato starch (50% w/v) and formic acid. Then, PCE was incorporated at various concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%, w/w, dry basis). The endothermic event of free PCE was not observed in the ultrafine fibers, which suggests its encapsulation. The RC decreased according to the increase in PCE concentration in the ultrafine fibers. The PCE resisted thermal treatments when encapsulated into the ultrafine fibers (100 and 180°C), and the ultrafine fibers with 1% PCE presented the highest amount of preserved phenolic compounds. Regarding antioxidant activity, the free PCE presented 85% of DPPH inhibition and the ultrafine fibers had 18% inhibition, not differing among the PCE concentrations (p < 0.05). The free PCE and the ultrafine fibers with 0.5% PCE showed inhibitory effect against S. aureus and the ones with 1.5% PCE showed controlled release of phenolic compounds during the simulation of in vitro digestion. Starch ultrafine fibers showed potential to be applied in food industries due to their capacity of protecting phenolic compounds when submitted to high temperatures or gastrointestinal conditions. Nevertheless, their application depends on the end use of the product.

Practical Application

The encapsulation of pinhão coat extract (PCE) in ultrafine starch fibers promotes greater preservation of phenolic compounds. Thus, it can be incorporated into different foods that are produced using the ultra‐high temperature (UHT) process—at 135–145°C for 5 to 10 s, or some other equivalent time/temperature combination. Another possibility is the incorporation of ultrafine fibers in active packaging: compounds can migrate to food, improving sensory characteristics, increasing shelf life, preventing chemical and microbiological deterioration, and ensuring food safety.
Composition and Evolution of Hydrogen Isotopes ofn‐Akanes Generated from Anhydrous Pyrolysis of Sediments from Lake Gahai, Gannan, China
Authors: DUAN Yi , WU Yingzhong , XING Lantian , LI Zhongping , ZHANG Ting
Published: May 2021

To understand the thermal evolution of lacustrine sedimentaryn‐alkane hydrogen isotopic composition (δD), especially bacterially derivedn‐alkanes, anhydrous thermal simulation experiments were performed with sediments from Lake Gahai (Gannan, China). We analyzed the original and pyrolysis‐generatedn‐alkanes and theirδDvalues. The results showed that thermal maturity andn‐alkane origins significantly affected the distribution of pyrolysis‐generatedn‐alkanes. In immature to post‐mature sediments, the bacterial‐derived medium‐chainn‐alkanes generally had depletedδDvalues. The maximum difference in averageδDvalues between the bacterial‐and herbaceous plant‐derived medium‐chainn‐alkanes was 32‰, and the maximum difference inδDvalues among individualn‐alkanes was 59‰. We found that the averageδDvalue of pyrolysis‐generatedn‐alkanes from different latitude was significantly different in immature to highly mature sediments, but similar in post‐mature ssediments. The hydrogen isotopes of sedimentaryn‐alkanes can be used as indicators for paleoclimate/paleo‐environment conditions only when sediments are immature to highly mature. During thermal evolution, theδDvalue of generated individualn‐alkanes and the averageδDvalue increased with thermal maturity, indicating that hydrogen isotopes of sedimentaryn‐alkanes can be used as an index of organic matter maturity. We established mathematical models of averageδDvalues of generatedn‐alkanes from immature to post‐mature sediments usingnC21−‐/nC21+and average chain lengths. These results improve our understanding of the distribution andδDvalue of sedimentaryn‐alkanes derived from herbaceous plants in mid‐latitude plateau cold regions.
Zircon Trace Element Constraints on U‐Pb Dating: A Case Study of the Huayuangong A‐type Granite in the Lower Yangtze Region, Eastern China
Authors: QI Fei , YAN Jun
Published: May 2021

For magmatic rocks, it is often found that zircon 206Pb/238U and 207Pb/235U ratios continuously plot on the concordia line with a relatively large age span for the same sample, which gives rise to large dating errors or even unrealistic dating results. As the trace element concentrations of zircon can reflect its equilibrated magma characteristics, they can be used to determine whether all the analytical spots on the zircons selected to calculate the weighted mean age are cogenetic and formed in a single magma chamber. This work utilizes the results of zircon trace element concentrations and U‐Pb isotopic analyses to explore the screening of reasonable U‐Pb ages, which can be used to determine a more accurate intrusion crystallization age. The late Mesozoic Huayuangong granitic pluton complex, which is located in the Lower Yangtze region, eastern China, was selected for a case study. The Huayuangong pluton comprises the central intrusion and the marginal intrusion. Two samples from the marginal intrusion yielded consistent zircon weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages of 124.6 ± 2.0 Ma and 125.9 ± 1.6 Ma. These analytical spots also exhibit Zr/Hf and Th/U ratios concordant with the evolution of a single magma, from which the dated zircons crystallized. However, for the central intrusion, the analytical spots on zircons from two samples all show a continuous distribution on the concordia line with a relatively large age span. For each sample from the central intrusion, the zircon Zr/Hf ratios do not conform to a single magma evolutionary trend, but rather can be divided into two groups. We propose that zircon Zr/Hf ratios can provide a new constraint on U‐Pb zircon dating and zircon Th/U ratios can also be used as a supplementary indicator to constrain zircon dating and determine the origins of the zircons and whether magma mixing has occurred. By screening zircon analytical spots using these two indicators, the two samples from the central intrusion of the Huayuangong pluton produce results of 122.8 ± 4.3 Ma and 122.9 ± 2.2 Ma, which are consistent with the field observations that the central intrusion is slightly younger than the marginal intrusion.
Self‐affirmation reduces vigilance to mortality threat: An eye‐tracking study
Authors: Chen Jun , Sedikides Constantine , Cai Huajian
Published: May 2021

The literature has indicated that self‐affirmation attenuates defensive responding (e.g., derogation of an offensive essay’s author, accessibility of death‐related cognitions) to mortality threat. The current eye‐tracking study built on that literature to examine whether self‐affirmation influences attentional processing of mortality threat. Participants (N = 51), after being randomly assigned to the self‐affirmation or control condition, completed a free‐viewing task that consisted of death‐related (mortality threat) and non‐death‐related (control) images while their eye movements were being recorded. The results indicated that self‐affirmation reduced attentional vigilance toward mortality threat both at the early stage and the whole stage of the free‐viewing task. Reduced vigilance to mortality threat may be a precursor to attenuated defensive responding to it.
Decentralization and welfare: Evidence from a panel of countries
Authors: Canare Tristan
Published: May 2021

This study empirically tested for the relationship between different measures of decentralization and three indicators of welfare—per capita income, poverty incidence, and the human development index. It utilized a panel data of around 60 countries of various income levels for the ten‐year period from 2006 to 2015. The study primarily employed the System GMM method, along with some robustness checks. Results suggest that decentralization is associated with higher per capita income; but it has no relationship with poverty nor with HDI. The relationship, however, is not linear—it increases at a decreasing rate until it becomes negative at high levels of decentralization. In addition, revenue decentralization has the strongest relationship with per capita income among the three decentralization measures tested. There is also evidence that good governance strengthens the positive relationship between decentralization and per capita income; and that the decentralization‐welfare relationship varies across country income levels.
Parental reflective functioning and theory of mind acquisition: A developmental perspective
Authors: Nijssens Liesbet , Luyten Patrick , Malcorps Saskia , Vliegen Nicole , Mayes Linda
Published: May 2021

This study investigated theory of mind (ToM) development in 83 children aged 3–5 years and its associations with parental reflective functioning (PRF), using a multidimensional and developmental approach. Results showed that ToM dimensions (i.e., affective, belief‐desire, and cognitive) gradually increased with age. All dimensions of PRF (i.e., prementalizing modes, certainty about mental states, and interest and curiosity in mental states) were associated with ToM dimensions, with different dimensions being differentially related to ToM, including age‐related effects.