bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Using Alternative Graft Function Endpoints: A Secondary Analysis of a Kidney Transplant Trial
Authors: Fergusson Nicholas A. , Ramsay Tim , Chassé Michaël , English Shane W. , Knoll Greg A.
Published: March 2019

Background

Nephrology trials assessing the impact of interventions on “standard” outcomes, such as doubling of creatinine, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and/or death, are difficult to conduct given the time required for endpoints to accrue. The objective of this study was to determine if using lesser declines in kidney function would alter the interpretation of a previous randomized controlled trial.

Methods

This study was a secondary analysis of a kidney transplant trial comparing the use of a 40% or greater, 30% or greater, or 20% or greater decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as a substitute for doubling of serum creatinine. Declines in eGFR were determined relative to baseline. This trial enrolled 212 kidney transplant patients with proteinuria and assessed the clinical impact of ramipril versus placebo on a primary outcome of doubling of serum creatinine, ESRD, or death. In this analysis, the declines in eGFR replaced doubling of creatinine in the composite endpoint.

Results

Mean trial follow-up was 41 months. A time-to-event composite of death, ESRD, or a 40% or greater, 30% or greater, or 20% or greater eGFR decline occurred in 45 (26 placebo vs 19 ramipril), 68 (35 vs 33), and 99 (50 vs 49) patients, respectively. Substituting these eGFR declines for doubling of serum creatinine resulted in an increase of 12, 35, and 66 endpoints compared with the original trial. In all 3 eGFR declines, ramipril treatment was not associated with any statistically significant differences despite the increase in events.

Conclusions

Substituting doubling of serum creatinine for lesser eGFR percentage decline thresholds did not alter trial interpretation but did increase the number of events.
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography of a Pale Optic Disc in Demyelinating Optic Neuritis and Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Fard Masoud Aghsaei , Yadegari Samira , Ghahvechian Hosein , Moghimi Sasan , Soltani-Moghaddam Reza , Subramanian Prem S.
Published: March 2019

Background:

In the setting of a pale optic disc, distinguishing a previous episode of optic neuritis (ON) from that of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) may be difficult on clinical examination. Differences in peripapillary vascular network structures, if present, might be of diagnostic utility.

Methods:

Thirty-five eyes with demyelinating ON, 33 eyes with NAION, and 81 eyes of normal subjects were imaged with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) to assess peripapillary vascular density (VD). In addition, OCT was used to measure peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were used to differentiate ON vs NAION.

Results:

NAION eyes had significantly thinner RNFL thickness than ON eyes. Age-adjusted analysis showed that the peripapillary VD values were significantly reduced in NAION (48.3 ± 7.4%) and ON eyes (54.7 ± 6.1%) compared with healthy controls (62.1 ± 4.6%); pairwise comparisons showed statistically significant differences among all 3 groups. After adjustment for severity of optic nerve injury according to mean RNFL thickness, all VD parameters were not significantly different between ON and NAION eyes. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for differentiating NAION from ON eyes was similar for VD (0.75) and RNFL thickness (0.74).

Conclusions:

Peripapillary VD measurement performs as well as RNFL thickness for distinguishing previous episodes ON and NAION. VD decline might be secondary to RNFL damage and, therefore, VD data have a limited role differentiating these 2 disorders.
Rates and Patient Characteristics of Electroconvulsive Therapy in China and Comparisons With the United States
Authors: Ma Yarong , Rosenheck Robert , Fan Ni , He Hongbo
Published: March 2019

Objective

Recent studies have expressed concern about the infrequent and declining use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the United States. However, it is not known whether the US experience reflects changing global practice or one that varies between countries. This observational study examined use of ECT in the largest psychiatric hospital in China's third largest city over a 4-year period, 2014 to 2017.

Methods

Unduplicated electronic medical records concerning all inpatients with psychiatric diagnoses were examined. Electroconvulsive therapy utilization rates, correlates of ECT use, and its association with readmission within the 6 months following discharge were evaluated using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

Of 13,831 hospitalized patients, 2460 (17.8%) received ECT. Logistic regression analysis showed ECT utilization was independently associated with being female, younger age, being employed, nonlocal residence, involuntary admission, having no health insurance, longer length of stay, and the diagnoses of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Use of ECT has increased since 2014 but was not significantly related to readmission 6 months after discharge.

Conclusions

Electroconvulsive therapy use appears to be substantially higher in China than in the United States and is associated with indicators of higher rather than lower functioning as reflected by independent associations with youth, employment, and fewer past hospitalizations, but also with behavioral noncompliance as reflected by involuntary admission, and has increased in recent years. Understanding United States–China discrepancies may further international understanding of the diverse roles of ECT in psychiatric practice.
Sucrose 6F-phosphate phosphorylase: a novel insight in the human gut microbiome
Authors: Tauzin Alexandra S. , Bruel Laetitia , Laville Elisabeth , Nicoletti Cendrine , Navarro David , Henrissat Bernard , Perrier Josette , Potocki-Veronese Gabrielle , Giardina Thierry , Lafond Mickael
Published: March 2019

The human gut microbiome plays an essential role in maintaining human health including in degradation of dietary fibres and carbohydrates further used as nutrients by both the host and the gut bacteria. Previously, we identified a polysaccharide utilization loci (PUL) involved in sucrose and raffinose family oligosaccharide (RFO) metabolism from one of the most common

Firmicutes

present in individuals,

Ruminococcus gnavus

E1. One of the enzymes encoded by this PUL was annotated as a putative sucrose phosphate phosphorylase (RgSPP). In the present study, we have in-depth characterized the heterologously expressed RgSPP as sucrose 6F-phosphate phosphorylase (SPP), expanding our knowledge of the glycoside hydrolase GH13_18 subfamily. Specifically, the enzymatic characterization showed a selective activity on sucrose 6F-phosphate (S6FP) acting both in phosphorolysis releasing alpha-d-glucose-1-phosphate (G1P) and alpha-d-fructose-6-phosphate (F6P), and in reverse phosphorolysis from G1P and F6P to S6FP. Interestingly, such a SPP activity had never been observed in gut bacteria before. In addition, a phylogenetic and synteny analysis showed a clustering and a strictly conserved PUL organization specific to gut bacteria. However, a wide prevalence and abundance study with a human metagenomic library showed a correlation between SPP activity and the geographical origin of the individuals and, thus, most likely linked to diet. Rgspp gene overexpression has been observed in mice fed with a high-fat diet suggesting, as observed for humans, that intestine lipid and carbohydrate microbial metabolisms are intertwined. Finally, based on the genomic environment analysis, in vitro and in vivo studies, results provide new insights into the gut microbiota catabolism of sucrose, RFOs and S6FP.
Analysis of quality characteristics of Ligularia fischeri cultivated in a greenhouse and an open field based on the harvest time
Authors: Cho Ja-Yong , Kim Su-Hwan , Cho In-Kyung , Jeong Jae-Hee , Park Jun-Ki , Gim Do-Woo , Kim Yong-Doo , Huh Chang-Ki
Published: March 2019

This study was conducted to enhance the utilization of Ligularia fischeri as a food ingredient. The effects of the location of cultivation and the harvest time on the components were examined. The crude fats and proteins in greenhouse samples (GL) were 2% higher than those in open field samples (OL). The fat content was found to increase from 4.31% to 5.27% as the harvest time was delayed. The Na contents were more than two times higher in GL than in OL. Moreover, the amount of free sugars in leaves differed slightly according to the harvest time but decreased overall as the harvest time was delayed. The total polyphenols increased from 202.53 to 389.16 mg% in OL and 293.57 to 439.40 mg% in GL as the harvest time was delayed. The levels of total flavonoids in OL and GL ranged from 105.58 to 202.79 mg% and 135.84 to 216.96 mg%, respectively. These increased from 0.3 to 2 times upon delaying the harvest time. The samples were also analyzed for the presence of five catechin compounds, namely, (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (+)-catechin (CE), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), and (-)-gallocatechin gallate (GCG). EGC and CE were detected in both OL and GL, while EGCG, ECG, and GCG were detected only in OL at low concentrations. The 4-Ο-caffeoylquinic acid content in GL was higher than that in OL, except in the early stages of harvesting.
Bread-making properties of rice bread added with naked oat flours
Authors: Jun Hyun-Il , Yoo Sun-Hee , Song Geun-Seoup , Kim Young-Soo
Published: March 2019

This study was carried out to investigate the bread-making properties of rice bread added with naked oat flours (0-15%). The water, crude protein, crude lipid, and crude ash contents of the rice flour used to prepare the rice bread were 11.8, 8.6, 1.8, and 1.3%, respectively, and the contents of total starch, amylose, damaged starch, and dietary fiber contents were 75.7, 23.1, 30.0, and 1.7%, respectively. The crude protein, crude lipid, and crude ash increased, whereas total starch, amylose, and starch damage decreased with increasing addition of naked oat flour in the rice-naked oat composition flour (RNOCF). The pasting properties of RNOCF showed a slight decrease in peak viscosity, trough, final viscosity, and setback with increasing addition of naked oat flour. As the fermentation time increased, the pH of RNOCF dough added with naked oat flour decreased, whereas its expansion ratio significantly increased. The volume, specific volume, and baking loss ratio of the rice bread decreased for 10 and 15% addition, compared to 0 and 5% addition. With increasing addition of naked oat flour, the hardness of rice bread increased, whereas the cohesiveness and springiness were not significantly affected. Results indicated that rice bread added with 5% naked oat flour had the best quality.
Ginsenoside contents and antioxidant activities of cultivated mountain ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) with different ages
Authors: Jeong Beom-Gyun , Jung Gil-Rak , Kim Min Sik , Moon Hyun-Gyu , Park Su-Jin , Chun Jiyeon
Published: March 2019

The morphological, nutritional, and functional characteristics of cultivated mountain ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, CMG) with different ages (3, 5, 7, and 9 years old) were investigated. Three-year-old CMG (3-CMG) was significantly smaller, shorter, and lighter than 5-CMG while there is no significant difference in length, thickness, and weight among 5-, 7-, and 9-CMGs. On the other hand, functional properties of CMG highly varied with the cultivation age. Moisture content of CMGs with different ages decreased with age except for 9-CMG whereas crude fat and protein contents increased with age. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were highest in 9-CMG (82.4 μg GAE/g and 723.6 μg AAE/g, respectively) while reducing poser was highest in 3-CMG (411.7 GAE/g). Xanthine oxidase inhibition activity of 9-CMG (17.24 μg AAE/g) was 1.5 times higher than that of 3-CMG. Acidic polysaccharide content was highest in 7-CMG (3,298 mg GAAE/g) but lowest in 3-CMG. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were highest in 5- and 7-CMG, respectively, and decreased with the cultivation period. Total ginsenoside content of CMG increased with the cultivation period. Rb1 and Re were predominant ginsenosides for all CMGs, accounting for about 50% of total ginsenoside content. Rb1 of 9-CMG was about four times higher than that of 3-CMG. Compound K was found in all CMGs, but it took less than 0.1% of total ginsenoside content.
Development of a drug repressible β-catenin mutant mouse to examine effect of activated β-catenin signaling on long-term maintenance of mammary tumor growth
Authors: Gorman Jennifer L. , Adams Jessica R. , Jones Emma M. , Egan Sean E. , Woodgett James R.
Published: March 2019

Stabilized β-catenin expression is a well described initiator of mammary tumorigenesis in the mouse and elevated nuclear expression of this protein has been observed in human triple-negative tumor samples. However, the importance of stabilized β-catenin to continued tumor growth after initiation, and in the context of other driver mutations, has yet to be elucidated. To ascertain the importance of stabilized β-catenin after tumor initiation, we generated a novel transgenic mouse model, utilizing the tet-off system, to control expression of a stabilized mutant of β-catenin. Pups from early litters carrying one allele of regulatable stabilized β-catenin at the Rosa26 locus, but not targeted by Cre, were smaller in size compared with wildtype littermates and also developed skin lesions, requiring euthanasia. Maintenance of breeding cages on doxycycline chow allowed for healthy transgenic pups to survive past 3 weeks of age and 6 animal cohorts were established. We used two different mammary Cre strains, WAP-Cre and MMTV-NLST-Cre, crossed with regulatable, stabilized β-catenin (bcatFL) animals, as well as animals expressing mutated p53-R270H. While mammary tumors developed in animals expressing Cre-targeted regulatable bcatFL, the penetrance and growth kinetics were lower than observed with other mammary mouse models expressing stabilized β-catenin. Since fewer animals developed tumors, we focused analysis on the effect of turning off stabilized β-catenin expression following tumor initiation. In the animals examined, a delay in tumor growth, but not regression, was observed in animals expressing Cretargeted bcatFL as well as those expressing both bcatFL and p53-R270H. These results indicate that in a less aggressive β-catenin model, additional mutations likely provide independence from the initiating event.
HDX-MS reveals structural determinants for RORγ hyperactivation by synthetic agonists
Authors: Strutzenberg Timothy S. , Garcia-Ordonez Ruben , Novick Scott , Park HaJeung , Chang Mi Ra , Doebellin Christelle , He Yuanjun , Patouret Rémi , Kamenecka Theodore M. , Griffin Patrick R.
Published: March 2019

Members of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily regulate both physiological and pathophysiological processes ranging from development and metabolism1 to inflammation2 and cancer3. As ligand-gated transcription factors, synthetic small molecules targeting NRs are often deployed as therapeutics to correct aberrant NR signaling or as chemical probes to explore the role of the receptor in physiology4. However, nearly half of NRs do not have specific cognate ligands or its unclear if they possess ligand dependent activities and these receptors are called orphans. Here we demonstrate that ligand-dependent action of the orphan nuclear receptor RORγ can be defined by selectively disrupting putative endogenous—but not synthetic—ligand binding. Furthermore, the characterization of a library of RORγ modulators reveals that structural dynamics of the receptor assessed by HDX-MS correlate with activity in biochemical and cell-based assays. These findings are corroborated with X-ray co-crystallography and site-directed mutagenesis to collectively reveal the structural determinants of RORγ ligand-dependent activation, critical for designing full agonists for application in cancer immunotherapy. Combined these observations support a model of receptor activation to more accurately describe RORγ pharmacology. Likewise, this ‘bump-and-hole’ inspired approach could be extended to other orphan NRs to explore the ligand-dependent activities that are important for defining pharmacology.
Infection of Plasmodiophora brassicae changes the fungal endophyte community of tumourous stem mustard roots as revealed by high-throughput sequencing and culture-dependent methods
Authors: Tian Xueliang , Wang Diandong , Mao Zhenchuan , Pan Limei , Liao Jingjing , Cai Zhaoming
Published: March 2019

Diverse fungal endophytes live in plants and are shaped by some abiotic and biotic stresses. Plant disease as particular biotic stress possibly gives an impact on the communities of fungal endophytes. In this study, clubroot disease caused by an obligate biotroph protist, Plasmodiophora brassicae, was considered to analyze its influence on the fungal endophyte community using an internal transcribed spacer (ITS) through high-throughput sequencing and culture-dependent methods. The results show that the diversity of the endophyte community in the healthy roots was much higher than the clubroots. Ascomycota was the dominant group of endophytes (including Phoma, Mortierella, Penicillium, etc.) in the healthy roots while P. brassicae was the dominant taxon in the clubroots. Hierarchical clustering, principal component analysis (PCA) and principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) indicated significant differences between the endophyte communities in the healthy roots and clubroots. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LefSe) analysis showed that the dominant genera could be regarded as potential biomarkers. The endophyte community in the healthy roots had a more complex network compared with the clubroots. Also, many plant pathogenic Fusarium were isolated from the clubroots by the culture-dependent method. The outcome of this study illustrates that P. brassicae infection may change the fungal endophyte community associated with the roots of tumourous stem mustard and facilitates the entry of soil pathogen into the roots.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of two 5,11-methanobenzo[g][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c][1,3,5]oxadiazocine derivatives
Authors: Gumus Mustafa Kemal , Kansiz Sevgi , Yuksektepe Ataol Cigdem , Dege Necmi , Fritsky Igor O.
Published: March 2019

In the title compounds, 9-bromo-2,5-dimethyl-11,12-dihydro-5H-5,11-methanobenzo[g][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c][1,3,5]oxadiazocine, C13H13BrN4O (I), and 7-methoxy-5-methyl-2-(pyridin-4-yl)-11,12-dihydro-5H-5,11-methanobenzo[g][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c][1,3,5]oxadiazocine, C18H17N5O2 (II), the triazole ring is inclined to the benzene ring by 85.15 (9) and 76.98 (5)° in compounds I and II, respectively. In II, the pyridine ring is almost coplanar with the triazole ring, having a dihedral angle of 4.19 (8)°. In the crystal of I, pairs of N—H...N hydrogen bonds link the molecules to form inversion dimers with an R
2
2(8) ring motif. The dimers are linked by C—H...π and C—Br...π interactions forming layers parallel to the bc plane. In the crystal of II, molecules are linked by N—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds forming chains propagating along the b-axis direction. The intermolecular interactions were investigated using Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots, and the molecular electrostatic potential surface was also analysed. The Hirshfeld surface analysis of I suggests that the most significant contributions to the crystal packing are H...H (42.4%) and O...H/H...O (17.9%) contacts. For compound II, the H...H (48.5%), C...H/H...C (19.6%) and N...H/H...N (16.9%) interactions are the most important contributions.
Barriers and enablers of inclusion for young autistic learners: lessons from the Polish experiences of teachers and related professionals
Authors: Hersh Marion , Elley Sharon
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present new empirical data on the experiences of 120 teachers and professionals working with autistic children and young people across different settings in Poland where autism research on inclusive education is scarce. It explores the relationship of inclusive education to the social and neurodiversity models of disability. It makes evidence-based recommendations for good practice and modelling and evaluating future education and inclusion practices.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses a survey approach involving a combination of qualitative and quantitative data collection and embeds practical findings in theory, including the relationship of inclusive education to the social and neurodiversity models of disability.

Findings

The findings include the barriers teachers and related professionals experience in facilitating inclusive teaching and learning and how the following would be useful to autistic students: opportunities to exercise responsibilities and take leadership roles; social as well as educational inclusion; provision of a safe environment; regular funded autism training in work time; and appropriate use of additional classroom teachers.

Research limitations/implications

A survey-based approach has limitations.

Practical implications

Opportunities to exercise responsibilities and take leadership roles; social as well as educational inclusion; provision of a safe environment; regular funded autism training in work time; and appropriate use of additional classroom teachers.

Social implications

This study can be useful in the development of social skills and communication, social and educational inclusion.

Originality/value

Polish teachers’ attitudes, experiences and support needs, including some previously overlooked issues, are related to the broader international context beyond Poland. Analysis of the findings is used to derive evidence-based recommendations for good practice and modelling, and evaluating future education and inclusion practices.
Children as actors of tomorrow’s hypermarket experience
Authors: De-Juan-Vigaray Maria D. , Hota Monali
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to see how children aged 7–11 years can become the actors of tomorrow’s hypermarket experience by providing a review of past research on children as retail consumers, with a specific reference to their customer experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature review will be organised by presenting a “child hypermarket customer experience” model. Finally, a conceptual and methodological critique of past research will be presented followed by the revised model and conclusions.

Findings

The literature review finds six independent variables presented in the model: customer satisfaction, in-store conflicts, buying intention, purchase basket value, loyalty and average time spent in store measure a positive hypermarket shopping experience for children. There are then six types of mediators presented in the updated model: type of product, product offering, pocket money amount, environment, technology (games, tablets) and experiential marketing that mediate the impact of these independent variables on children as the actors of tomorrow’s hypermarket experience.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is conceptual in nature. Future research should empirically validate the conceptual model developed in the paper for children 7–11 years of age.

Practical implications

The conceptual discussion shows that hypermarket managers can use technology such as games and tablets not only to reduce the conflicts between parents and children in hypermarkets but also positively impact on the average time spent in the store. Further, the discussion shows that hypermarket managers can offer children the experience they expect with the use of specific experiential stimuli adapted to children in “children’s aisles” such as toys, children’s clothing, children’s hi-tech and children’s books. They can also theme the experience for children using memorabilia and the engagement of senses. Managerial research should empirically validate this for children 7–11 years of age.

Originality/value

This is the first study that conceptually creates a model of children as the actors of tomorrow’s hypermarket experience. This is something that empirically researched will enhance the understanding of young consumers’ behaviour in the retail process in this advanced age of retailing.
Care leavers’ views about transition: a literature review
Authors: Atkinson Cathy , Hyde Rebekah
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Considerable attention has been given to the vulnerability of young people leaving care in the UK in their transition to adulthood. To date, however, there has been limited focus on the perceptions of care leavers about what factors enable and inhibit effective practice. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This systematic literature review sought to elicit the views of UK care leavers in identifying barriers and facilitators to the process of transition to adulthood. Qualitative studies in the care-leaving field were identified, of which seven met inclusion criteria and were included in the final synthesis.

Findings

The findings yielded a range of facilitators, including authentic and consistent relationships with those acting in the role of corporate parent; and flexible systems, which accommodated personal readiness for leaving care. Barriers included insufficient recognition of, and a lack of support for, the psychological dimensions of transition, exacerbated by insufficient support networks.

Research limitations/implications

This literature search yielded seven qualitative papers, some with small sample sizes, meaning that the findings may not be representative of a wider population or directly relevant to international contexts.

Practical implications

Suggestions for enhancing the transition process are posited. In particular, the potential usefulness of an “interdependence” transition approach for UK care leavers is proposed.

Originality/value

This study analyses qualitative data, thus constituting a response to policy calls for care leaver views to be central to transition processes.
Co‐workers' voice climate and affective commitment towards the team: A test of mediation and moderation
Authors: Ohana Marc , Stinglhamber Florence
Published: March 2019

This article examines the consequences of co‐workers' voice climate, defined as a shared perception regarding how individuals who work together within the same unit and who do not have formal authority over each other judge the ability to participate in decision making inside teams. We argue that co‐workers' voice climate may influence individuals' perception of quality of social exchange with the team, operationalised through team–member exchange. These high‐quality exchanges with the team should, in turn, promote higher individual affective commitment towards the team. Furthermore, we hypothesised that the social exchange with the supervisor, operationalised through leader–member exchange, buffers the effect of co‐workers' voice climate on team–member exchange. These hypotheses were tested using a sample of 183 employees belonging to 31 teams. Our findings supported the theoretical model that was proposed, attesting to the importance of considering co‐workers' justice climate in the prediction of individual work attitudes. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.
Controlled Release of Peppermint Oil from Paraffin‐Coated Activated Carbon Contained in Sachets to Inhibit Mold Growth During Long Term Storage of Brown Rice
Authors: Chaemsanit Siriporn , Sukmas Sirimas , Matan Narumol , Matan Nirundorn
Published: March 2019

The aim of the study was to control the release of peppermint oil (700 µL/L) by coating activated carbon (AC) contained in sachets with different solutions (tapioca starch, corn starch, gelatine, carnauba, paraffin, and mixed carnauba–paraffin) for inhibiting the growth of Aspergillus flavus on brown rice (BR). Paraffin‐coated AC with adsorbed peppermint oil was then applied to extend the shelf life of BR during long‐term storage (60 days) at 30 ± 2 °C. The mechanism of peppermint oil vapor release in this system was also studied using GC–MS. The result revealed that paraffin‐coated AC with adsorbed peppermint oil present in sachets showed the highest antifungal activity against A. flavus growing on the surface of BR. In addition, paraffin‐coated AC with adsorbed peppermint oil could prolong the shelf life of BR from 10 days (control) to at least 60 days under tropical climatic conditions. Moreover, storage of BR in the presence of sachets containing paraffin‐coated AC with adsorbed peppermint oil at a concentration of 700 µL/L revealed no significant effects on major rice quality‐related factors, such as moisture content, color, water uptake percentage, and gelatinization temperature. Peppermint oil component analysis by GC–MS indicated that paraffin could trap some minor components of peppermint oil and allow the major components such as menthone, menthol, and alpha‐pinene, which are compounds that play an important role in mold growth inhibition, to be exposed to air. Thus, this research demonstrated the potential of paraffin‐coated AC containing adsorbed peppermint oil for controlling the growth of molds during prolonged rice storage.

Practical Application

Paraffin‐coated activated carbon with adsorbed peppermint oil has the potential to be commercially applied to brown rice grains for facilitating long‐term storage. This technique is beneficial for avoiding the occurrence of negative sensorial factors when peppermint oil vapors are used. This process is interesting and easy to apply during large‐scale implementation of a rice storage system.
Impact of individualised music listening intervention on persons with dementia: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Gaviola Minah Amor , Inder Kerry J. , Dilworth Sophie , Holliday Elizabeth G. , Higgins Isabel
Published: March 2019

Objective

To summarise the evidence regarding the impact of individualised music listening on persons with dementia.

Methods

Six electronic databases (CINAHL, Medline, ProQuest, PsycINFO, Music Periodicals and Cochrane) were searched up to July 2018 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of individualised music listening compared to other music and non–music‐based interventions.

Results

Four studies were included. Results showed evidence of a positive impact of individualised music listening on behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSDs) including agitation, anxiety and depression and physiological outcomes. Evidence for other outcomes such as cognitive function and quality of life was limited.

Conclusions

The limited evidence suggests individualised music listening has comparable efficacy to more resource‐intensive interventions. However, there was a small number of RCTs and some outcomes were evaluated by a single study. This limits the conclusions drawn, warranting more RCTs evaluating other outcomes beyond the BPSDs.
Obstetric intra‐operative cell salvage: a review of an established cell salvage service with 1170 re‐infused cases
Authors: Sullivan I. J. , Ralph C. J.
Published: March 2019

The use of cell salvage during caesarean section has been increasing steadily, although there are concerns relating to cost, a perceived risk of amniotic fluid embolism, and fetal red cell sensitisation. We present observational data from almost a decade of use of intra‐operative cell salvage in obstetrics. By the end of this period, we set up cell salvage collection for > 98% of all caesarean sections. From 2008 to 2017, 1170 women have had a re‐infusion of cell salvaged blood with no clinical safety concerns; the median (IQR [range]) volume was 231 (154–306 [80–1690]) ml. During this time there has been a marked reduction in the number of women who were transfused allogeneic blood, as well as the amount of blood transfused. In total, 647 (55%) women have had alloimmunisation testing, with two positive cases. Quality control data indicate that the quality of blood processed from partial first bowls is no worse than that from full bowls. We discuss the costs of providing this service with regard to: staffing costs; single suction; leucodepletion filters; selectivity in the processing of collected blood; and the use of partial first bowls.
Environmental entrepreneurship as a multi‐component and dynamic construct: Duality of goals, environmental agency, and environmental value creation
Authors: Antolin‐Lopez Raquel , Martinez‐del‐Rio Javier , Cespedes‐Lorente Jose Joaquin
Published: March 2019

Environmental entrepreneurship (EE) is a scholarly field that has gained traction in recent years under the premise that it might represent a solution to pressing environmental grand challenges. Despite substantial advances in recent decades, the field still lacks consensus on the conceptualization of EE. The lack of a settled and unified notion of EE hinders the progress of the field because it challenges EE’s legitimacy, hampers theoretical development, creates measurement, and empirical problems. In this study, we aim to provide an integrative theoretical conceptualization of EE that can help build bridges between fragmented views of the phenomenon. First, we perform a systematic literature review to identify existing definitions of EE, and second, we follow an inductive approach to analyze them. Drawing on past definitions, we propose EE as a multi‐component and dynamic construct that consists of three interrelated core components: duality of goals, environmental agency, and environmental value creation. This conceptualization of EE might help connect the fragmented literature and build internal coherence, and it could be instrumental to further developing the current theoretical approaches that inform the phenomenon.
Long‐term declines of European insectivorous bird populations and potential causes
Authors: Bowler Diana E. , Heldbjerg Henning , Fox Anthony D. , de Jong Maaike , Böhning‐Gaese Katrin
Published: March 2019

Evidence of declines in insect populations has recently received considerable scientific and societal attention. However, the lack of long‐term insect monitoring makes it difficult to assess whether declines are geographically widespread. By contrast, bird populations are well monitored and often used as indicators of environmental change. We compared the population trends of European insectivorous birds with those of other birds to assess whether patterns in bird population trends were consistent with declines of insects. We further examined whether declines were evident for insectivores with different habitats, foraging strata, and other ecological preferences. Bird population trends were estimated for Europe (1990–2015) and Denmark (1990–2016). On average, insectivores declined over the study period (13% across Europe and 28% in Denmark), whereas omnivores had stable populations. Seedeaters also declined (28% across Europe; 34% in Denmark), but this assessment was based on fewer species than for other groups. The effects of insectivory were stronger for farmland species (especially grassland species), for ground feeders, and for cold‐adapted species. Insectivory was associated with long‐distance migration, which was also linked to population declines. However, many insectivores had stable populations, especially habitat generalists. Our findings suggest that the decline of insectivores is primarily associated with agricultural intensification and loss of grassland habitat. The loss of both seed and insect specialists indicates an overall trend toward bird communities dominated by diet generalists.
Characterizing species co‐occurrence patterns of imperfectly detected stream fishes to inform species reintroduction efforts
Authors: Lamothe Karl A. , Dextrase Alan J. , Drake D. Andrew R.
Published: March 2019

Species reintroduction efforts can improve the recovery of imperiled species, but successful implementation of this conservation strategy requires a thorough understanding of the abiotic and biotic factors influencing species viability. Species interactions are especially understudied, in particular by omitting the effect of imperfect detection on negative, neutral, or positive associations within a community. Using repeat surveys from 5 southern Ontario, Canada, Great Lakes tributaries, we quantified species co‐occurrence patterns with the eastern sand darter (ESD) (Ammocrypta pellucida), listed as federally threatened, and characterized how imperfect detection during sampling can influence inference regarding these relationships. We used a probabilistic framework that included 3 approaches of increasing complexity: probabilistic co‐occurrence analysis ignoring imperfect detection; single‐species occupancy models with subsequent co‐occurrence analysis; and 2‐species occupancy models. We then used our occupancy models to predict suitable sites for potential future reintroduction efforts while considering the influence of negative species interactions. Based on the observed data, ESD showed several positive associations with co‐occurring species; however, species associations differed when imperfect detection was considered. Specifically, a negative association between ESD and rosyface shiner (Notropis rubellus) was observed only after accounting for imperfect detection in the Grand River. Alternatively, positive associations in the Grand River between ESD and northern hogsucker (Hypentelium nigricans) and silver shiner (Notropis photogenis) were observed regardless of whether imperfect detection was accounted for. Our models predicted several potential reintroduction sites for ESD in formerly occupied watersheds with high levels of certainty. Overall, our results demonstrate the importance of investigating imperfect detection and species co‐occurrence when planning reintroduction efforts.
Practical actions for applied systematic conservation planning
Authors: Botts Emily A. , Pence Genevieve , Holness Stephen , Sink Kerry , Skowno Andrew , Driver Amanda , Harris Linda R. , Desmet Philip , Escott Boyd , Lötter Mervyn , Nel Jeanne , Smith Tammy , Daniels Fahiema , Sinclair Samuel , Stewart Warrick , Manuel Jeffrey
Published: March 2019

Systematic conservation planning is intended to inform spatially explicit decision making. Doing so requires that it be integrated into complex regulatory and governance processes, and there are limited instances where this has been achieved effectively. South Africa is a global leader in the application of conservation plans, the outputs of which are widely used for spatial planning and decision making in many spheres of government. We aimed to determine how conservation planning in the country progressed from theory to implementation, and to identify practical actions that enabled this transition, by assessing temporal trends in the characteristics of conservation plans (1990–2017,n= 94). Since 2010 conservation planning has entered an operational period characterized by government leadership of plans, administrative rather than ecological planning domains, decreasing size of planning units, increasing emphasis on end‐user products, and scheduled revision of plans. Key actions that enabled this progression include transitioning leadership of plans from scientists to practitioners, building capacity within implementing agencies, creating opportunities to integrate plans in legislative processes, establishing a strong community of practice, adopting implementation‐focused methods, and balancing standardization with innovation. Learning from this model will allow other countries, particularly those with a similar megadiverse, developing context, to operationalize conservation planning into spatial planning and decision making.
Diagnosis and management of diarrhea in solid‐organ transplant recipients: Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice
Authors: Angarone Michael , Snydman David R. ,   the AST ID Community of Practice
Published: March 2019

These guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Community of Practice of the American Society of Transplantation review the diagnosis, prevention, and management of diarrhea in the pre‐ and post‐transplant period. Diarrhea in an organ transplant recipient may result in significant morbidity including dehydration, increased toxicity of medications, and rejection. Transplant recipients are affected by a wide range of etiologies of diarrhea with the most common causes being Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile infection, cytomegalovirus, and norovirus. Other bacterial, viral, and parasitic causes can result in diarrhea but are far less common. Further, noninfectious causes including medication toxicity, inflammatory bowel disease, post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease, and malignancy can also result in diarrhea in the transplant population. Management of diarrhea in this population is directed at the cause of the diarrhea, instituting therapy where appropriate and maintaining proper hydration. Identification of the cause to the diarrhea needs to be timely and focused.
Impacts of Hospital Complexity on Experiential Quality: Mitigating Roles of Information Technology
Authors: Peng David Xiaosong , Ye Yuan , Feng Bo , Ding David Xin , Heim Gregory R.
Published: March 2019

Hospitals today are posed with many requirements arising from government regulations and financial incentives to improve patient experiential quality. An administrative challenge thus results from hospital complexity, which can circumvent efforts to enhance experiential quality. This study examines associations of two dimensions of hospital complexity (i.e., hospital safety and patient case mix) with patient‐level experiential quality. The study also investigates how health information technology (IT), via clinical IT and administrative IT, differently mitigates the two dimensions of complexity. Using unique proprietary secondary data sources, we assemble a patient‐level experiential quality dataset. The dataset enables us to simultaneously examine hospital and individual patient factors that may affect experiential quality of individual patients. The findings indicate that a hospital's service variety and case mix are both negatively associated with experiential quality. Although not directly affecting experiential quality, administrative IT mitigates the negative associations of both types of complexity with experiential quality. Post hoc analyses reveal nuanced relationships between hospital complexity, IT, and disaggregated experiential quality dimensions.
Historical Supplier Performance and Strategic Relationship Dissolution: Unintentional but Serious Supplier Error as a Moderator
Authors: Chen Yi‐Su , Rungtusanatham M. Johnny , Goldstein Susan Meyer
Published: March 2019

How and why is the association between historical supplier performance and strategic relationship dissolution moderated by an unintentional but serious supplier error? Adopting Assimilation‐Contrast Theory, we propose that this moderation effect can be either negative or positive. As an empirical test, we collected and analyzed data from 256 sourcing professionals participating in a scenario‐based role‐playing experiment. After confirming experimental checks, we fitted a general linear mixed effects model to the data with appropriate controls. We find, ceteris paribus, that a critical‐component supplier with stellar historical performance is less likely to be terminated by the manufacturer than one with marginally‐acceptable historical performance. However, when a critical‐component supplier with stellar historical performance errs, its likelihood of being terminated by the manufacturer increases by a greater extent than when a supplier with marginally‐acceptable historical performance commits the same mistake. This positive supplier performance penalty effect contributes to the buyer‐supplier relationship dissolution literature by identifying how and why the deterrence to relationship dissolution typically engendered by stellar historical supplier performance does not hold. Our results have implications for how manufacturers should evaluate critical‐component suppliers and how critical‐component suppliers should manage ongoing strategic relationships with manufacturers.
Effects of artificial nitrogen addition and reduction in precipitation on soil CO2 and CH4 effluxes and composition of the microbial biomass in a temperate forest
Authors: Yan Guoyong , Xing Yajuan , Lü Xiao‐Tao , Xu Lijian , Zhang Junhui , Dai Guanhua , Luo Wei , Liu Guancheng , Dong Xiongde , Wang Qinggui
Published: March 2019

To understand the effects of artificially increased atmospheric nitrogen (N) and decreased precipitation on the soil microbial community and soil CO2 and CH4 efflux, a two‐factorial field experiment was carried out with the following treatments: (a) control, (b) N addition (+50 kg N ha−1 year−1), (c) decreased precipitation (−30% of throughfall) and (d) combined N addition and decreased precipitation (+50 kg N ha−1 year−1, −30% of throughfall). The N addition and decreased precipitation treatments had a positive effect on mean CO2 efflux (2.61 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 for control, 4.26 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 for N addition, 3.62 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 for reduction in precipitation) and mean rates of CH4 uptake (0.00088 μmol CH4 m−2 s−1 for control, 0.00154 μmol CH4 m−2 s−1 for N addition, 0.00151 μmol m−2 s−1 for reduction in precipitation) during the growing season. The combined N addition and reduction in precipitation also led to increased soil CO2 efflux and CH4 uptake, but the combined response was weaker than the response to single variable treatments (3.10 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 and 0.00130 μmol CH4 m−2 s−1 interaction), indicating antagonistic effects of the combined treatment. At the seasonal scale, changes in soil CO2 and CH4 efflux were complex, especially in the spring freezing and thawing period, during which pulses of CO2 efflux and CH4 uptake occurred. Decreased precipitation altered the composition of the bacterial community in the winter and growing seasons, and composition of the microbial community also showed a seasonal change. However, changes in microbial community structure under N addition, precipitation reduction and their interaction might be important factors leading to an increase or decrease in soil carbon efflux.

Highlights

How global changes (N addition and decreased precipitation) affect soil C flux.

Seasonal effects of global changes on soil C flux were analysed quantitatively.

Decreased precipitation and N‐addition increased soil CO2 flux and decreased soil CH4 flux.

Global changes regulate soil C flux by altering soil water, microbial and nutrient status.
Deeply conserved susceptibility in a multi‐host, multi‐parasite system
Authors: Barrow Lisa N. , McNew Sabrina M. , Mitchell Nora , Galen Spencer C. , Lutz Holly L. , Skeen Heather , Valqui Thomas , Weckstein Jason D. , Witt Christopher C.
Published: March 2019

Variation in susceptibility is ubiquitous in multi‐host, multi‐parasite assemblages, and can have profound implications for ecology and evolution in these systems. The extent to which susceptibility to parasites is phylogenetically conserved among hosts can be revealed by analysing diverse regional communities. We screened for haemosporidian parasites in 3983 birds representing 40 families and 523 species, spanning ~ 4500 m elevation in the tropical Andes. To quantify the influence of host phylogeny on infection status, we applied Bayesian phylogenetic multilevel models that included a suite of environmental, spatial, temporal, life history and ecological predictors. We found evidence of deeply conserved susceptibility across the avian tree; host phylogeny explained substantial variation in infection status, and results were robust to phylogenetic uncertainty. Our study suggests that susceptibility is governed, in part, by conserved, latent aspects of anti‐parasite defence. This demonstrates the importance of deep phylogeny for understanding present‐day ecological interactions.