bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rational Expectations
Authors: Bénassy Jean-Pascal
Published: May 2015

This chapter first defines rational expectations, which is an extension to stochastic environments of the idea of perfect foresight. It characterizes the original Muth (1961) model, which exhibits how a number of results on the proliferation of shocks and stability are evaluated. Also, it discusses the efficacy of government policy and reveals that the prominent result attained under the notion of perfect foresight carries through in a stochastic environment. Further, it examines a very famous macroeconomic model, the Cagan (1956) model, which was initially designed to see whether price dynamics could degenerate into hyperinflation. The dynamics of the model are compared under two different expectations schemes: adaptive expectations and rational expectations. The chapter then investigates the set of solutions to a stochastic dynamic equation.
Intertemporal Equilibria with Optimizing Agents
Authors: Bénassy Jean-Pascal
Published: May 2015

This chapter analyzes different deterministic models with boundless horizons where all decisions are taken by maximizing agents. It first presents a benchmark model, Ramsay model, with exogenous incomes. This model, with a single infinitely lived consumer, has a single dynamic equilibrium and good efficiency properties. The chapter then introduces the overlapping generations (OLG) model, where households are pictured as a sequence of overlapping families, each with its own utility function and budget constraint. Also, it describes a different version of the OLG model, wherein money serves as a store of value between one period and the next. Finally, the chapter sets forth a synthetic model of the Ramsey-OLG model, which combines the long-lived households of the Ramsey model and the OLG structure.
Overlapping Generations
Authors: Bénassy Jean-Pascal
Published: May 2015

This chapter presents a discrete time model, the overlapping generations (OLG) model. It starts by presenting the most classic OLG model, wherein each family lives over two periods and overlaps only with the previous family (when young) and the next one (when old). It defines the market equilibrium of this economy, and also reveals that a few equilibria can be Pareto dominated. Additionally, it evaluates the important issue of pensions. The chapter then discusses the two classic pension systems: the fully funded system and the pay-as-you-go system. Lastly, it investigates the dynamics of the economy when agents can accumulate capital and government debt.
Endogenous Growth
Authors: Bénassy Jean-Pascal
Published: May 2015

This chapter examines the models of endogenous growth, in which the rate of growth is sensitive to the rate of factor accumulation, and technical progress is an economic activity that results from rational decisions by households and firms. It evaluates the simplest model of endogenous growth with maximizing consumers. This model is called the AK model. It also studies a seminal model called the Romer model, in which technical progress occurs through returns to diversification among horizontally differentiated products. In addition, it analyzes a different model, wherein the main mechanism is that the productivity of each production process can be improved via research. The chapter then assesses the issue of the scale effects.
Nominal Rigidities and Fluctuations
Authors: Bénassy Jean-Pascal
Published: May 2015

This chapter defines the use of the Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) models with perfect or imperfect competitions. It states that the solution to fluctuations brought by demand shocks is to introduce different models for nominal price and wage rigidities to the system. It indicates that several formalizations of rigidities have responded well to nominal shocks. This chapter also includes sample problems regarding the Taylor model, inflation persistence, Calvo and Calvo-Fischer: Comparative Dynamics, and DSGE model with sticky wages.
Policy
Authors: Bénassy Jean-Pascal
Published: May 2015

This chapter studies the issues of optimal government policy. It presents the “public finance” approach to policy and examines the approach’s central purpose to minimize distortions associated with the financing of public spending. It looks at basic issues in policy design regarding government, objectives, instruments, and information. It focuses on two classic examples of monetary policy, the Friedman rule and tax smoothing. It also delves deeper into the foundations of the public finance approach and examines the issue of Ramsey taxation.
Stabilization Policies
Authors: Bénassy Jean-Pascal
Published: May 2015

This chapter tackles the problem of the stabilization policies of governments that emerge as responses to shocks on the economy. It describes the current trend of using microfounded models for policy analysis. It provides two examples of optimal policies with microfounded models: optimal seigniorage under uncertainty and the non-Walrasian “policy effectiveness” of Thomas Sargent and Neil Wallace. It looks into how government policy design avoids fiscal and monetary policies that create indeterminacies and therefore instability, and concentrates on monetary interest rate rules. It also highlights the Pigou effect and how the effect determines simple rules guaranteeing global determinacy.
Dynamic Consistency and Credibility
Authors: Bénassy Jean-Pascal
Published: May 2015

This chapter analyzes the issues of time consistency and credibility in fiscal and monetary policy making. It briefly describes the article by Finn Kydland and Edward Prescott which introduced the dynamic consistency problem. It provides a simple characterization of the dynamic consistency problem and then uses capital taxation as an example to demonstrate the issue of the dynamic consistency problem. It also studies how the problem of dynamic consistency can interfere with the design of monetary policy regarding inflationary bias, and provides possible solutions to these problems.
Political Economy
Authors: Bénassy Jean-Pascal
Published: May 2015

This chapter relates macroeconomics to the political economy. It describes Kenneth Arrow’s “impossibility theorem” regarding voter preferences during elections and explains the theorem’s notion that there is no aggregation procedure which always satisfies a number of natural conditions. It describes the “median voter” model where aggregation is possible, and applies the model to the political economy subject of voting on redistribution. It investigates how adding a random element affects preferences. It also explains how political instability, with regard to the changing of majority, leads to budget deficits.
Macedonian Silver Plate in Perspective
Authors: Zimi Eleni
Published: May 2015

This chapter outlines the production and circulation of silver plate in Macedonia before the Roman conquest during the Macedonian Wars. It includes a comprehensive account of all silver vessels from Macedonia, and those from elsewhere attributed to Macedonian workshops. It examines the silver plate’s origin, evolution, and iconography of figural decoration, and analyses them to detect links between the subject and political or religious issues of the time. Also, the chapter compares the Macedonian silver plate with a wide range of other artefacts, such as pots, bronze and glass vessels, and jewellery of the region and from elsewhere in order to define what is peculiarly Macedonian.
Forms
Authors: Zimi Eleni
Published: May 2015

This chapter studies each of the twenty-six distinct forms of Macedonian silver plate. It analyses each of their variants and looks into their specific function; investigates the location of their excavation whether it was discovered in Macedonia or in other regions; and gives an insight into the time period of when the artefact was used. In addition, it considers the fragments of silver vessels that are impossible to reconstruct due to destruction or other means.
Inscriptions
Authors: Zimi Eleni
Published: May 2015

This chapter examines the inscriptions on Macedonian silver vessels. It describes the location of the inscription on various silver vessels and indicates their weight and value. It studies the meaning of names or isolated letters and symbols engraved on silver vessels excavated, mostly from the Great Tumulus at Vergina and the cist-graves at Derveni. It also discusses the issues of ‘metrology’ or measurement regarding the silver vessels.
Technique
Authors: Zimi Eleni
Published: May 2015

This chapter focuses on the technology of Macedonian silver plate production and aims to present the various methods used in both their manufacture and decoration. It also looks into the important themes needed for understanding the craft and their functions. It examines the steps used in the fabrication of silver vessels through describing the silver-shaping skills, decoration techniques, and gilding methods. It considers the observations done by Manolis Andronikos in discussing these steps.
HTT-DB: Horizontally transferred transposable elements database
Authors: Dotto Bruno Reis , Carvalho Evelise Leis , Silva Alexandre Freitas , Duarte Silva Luiz Fernando , Pinto Paulo Marcos , Ortiz Mauro Freitas , Wallau Gabriel Luz
Published: May 2015

Motivation: Horizontal transfer of transposable (HTT) elements among eukaryotes was discovered in the mid-1980s. As then, >300 new cases have been described. New findings about HTT are revealing the evolutionary impact of this phenomenon on host genomes. In order to provide an up to date, interactive and expandable database for such events, we developed the HTT-DB database.

Results: HTT-DB allows easy access to most of HTT cases reported along with rich information about each case. Moreover, it allows the user to generate tables and graphs based on searches using Transposable elements and/or host species classification and export them in several formats.

Availability and implementation: This database is freely available on the web at http://lpa.saogabriel.unipampa.edu.br:8080/httdatabase. HTT-DB was developed based on Java and MySQL with all major browsers supported. Tools and software packages used are free for personal or non-profit projects.

Contact:  bdotto82@gmail.com or gabriel.wallau@gmail.com
The Effect of Growing Rod Treatment on Hemoglobin and Hematocrit Levels in Early-onset Scoliosis
Authors: Barrett Kody K. , Lee Christopher , Myung Karen , Johnston Charles , Shah Suken A. , Akbarnia Behrooz A. , Skaggs David L.
Published: May 2015

Background:

This study examines preoperative hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) levels in a group of early-onset scoliosis (EOS) patients and the effect of distraction-based growing rods (GRs) on these levels. Children with EOS are at risk for respiratory insufficiency and chronic hypoxemia. Increased Hgb and Hct levels have been identified as surrogate markers for chronic hypoxemia. A study of patients who underwent VEPTR surgery showed a significant decrease in Hgb levels following surgery.

Methods:

Data were retrospectively collected on 66 EOS patients without confounding respiratory issues or oxygen dependence who were treated with GRs at 5 institutions. Average age at initial surgery was 5.5 years. Patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years (average 3.7 y). Preoperative and postoperative Hgb and Hct levels were converted to Z-scores based on age-adjusted mean blood indices and were compared using a paired t test.

Results:

The prevalence of elevated Hgb and Hct levels (Z-score >2) preoperatively was 15% (10/66) and 19% (12/64), respectively. The average Hgb Z-score decreased from 0.20 to −0.31 (P=0.005) 6 to 24 months following surgery and the Hct Z-score decreased from 0.31 to −0.28 (P=0.002) 6 to 24 months following surgery.

Conclusions:

Following distraction-based GR treatment of children with EOS there was a significant decrease in both their Hgb and Hct. This is a physiological marker of decreased hypoxemia and improved pulmonary function.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—therapeutic study.
Outcomes of Primary Trabeculectomy With Mitomycin-C in Glaucoma Secondary to Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome
Authors: Chandran Premanand , Rao Harsha L. , Mandal Anil K. , Choudhari Nikhil S. , Garudadri Chandra S. , Senthil Sirisha
Published: May 2015

Purpose:

To report the outcomes of primary trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C (MMC) in eyes with glaucoma secondary to iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome.

Methods:

We included 16 eyes of 15 subjects with ICE syndrome who underwent primary trabeculectomy with MMC between 1991 and 2013. Surgical success was defined as complete when the intraocular pressure (IOP) was ≥5 and ≤21 mm Hg with no additional antiglaucoma medication (AGM) or surgery and as qualified if IOP was controlled with AGM.

Results:

The median age (interquartile range) of subjects at the time of trabeculectomy was 41 years (37, 44 y) and the median follow-up period was 23 months (7, 79 mo). Postoperatively, the median IOP significantly reduced from 36 (26, 43) to 14 mm Hg (12, 17 mm Hg) (P<0.001) and median number of AGMs reduced from 3 (2, 4) to 0 (0, 0) (P<0.001). The percentage of complete success was 75% at 6 months, 64% at 12 months, 57% at 36 months, and 33% at 60 months. The percentage of qualified success was 94% at 6 months, 82% at 12 months, 71% at 36 months, and 60% at 60 months. Five eyes failed during the follow-up period. The mean (±SD) number of glaucoma surgeries per eye was 1.3±0.5. Eight eyes developed corneal edema at a median follow-up of 78.5 months and 4 eyes underwent keratoplasty.

Conclusions:

Primary trabeculectomy with MMC offers moderate surgical success in patients with ICE syndrome. Maintaining long-term IOP control and corneal clarity in these eyes is a big challenge.
Computed tomographic beam-hardening artefacts: mathematical characterization and analysis
Authors: Park Hyoung Suk , Chung Yong Eun , Seo Jin Keun
Published: May 2015

This paper presents a mathematical characterization and analysis of beam-hardening artefacts in X-ray computed tomography (CT). In the field of dental and medical radiography, metal artefact reduction in CT is becoming increasingly important as artificial prostheses and metallic implants become more widespread in ageing populations. Metal artefacts are mainly caused by the beam-hardening of polychromatic X-ray photon beams, which causes mismatch between the actual sinogram data and the data model being the Radon transform of the unknown attenuation distribution in the CT reconstruction algorithm. We investigate the beam-hardening factor through a mathematical analysis of the discrepancy between the data and the Radon transform of the attenuation distribution at a fixed energy level. Separation of cupping artefacts from beam-hardening artefacts allows causes and effects of streaking artefacts to be analysed. Various computer simulations and experiments are performed to support our mathematical analysis.
Employing temporal self-similarity across the entire time domain in computed tomography reconstruction
Authors: Kazantsev D. , Van Eyndhoven G. , Lionheart W. R. B. , Withers P. J. , Dobson K. J. , McDonald S. A. , Atwood R. , Lee P. D.
Published: May 2015

There are many cases where one needs to limit the X-ray dose, or the number of projections, or both, for high frame rate (fast) imaging. Normally, it improves temporal resolution but reduces the spatial resolution of the reconstructed data. Fortunately, the redundancy of information in the temporal domain can be employed to improve spatial resolution. In this paper, we propose a novel regularizer for iterative reconstruction of time-lapse computed tomography. The non-local penalty term is driven by the available prior information and employs all available temporal data to improve the spatial resolution of each individual time frame. A high-resolution prior image from the same or a different imaging modality is used to enhance edges which remain stationary throughout the acquisition time while dynamic features tend to be regularized spatially. Effective computational performance together with robust improvement in spatial and temporal resolution makes the proposed method a competitive tool to state-of-the-art techniques.
Level-set reconstruction algorithm for ultrafast limited-angle X-ray computed tomography of two-phase flows
Authors: Bieberle M. , Hampel U.
Published: May 2015

Tomographic image reconstruction is based on recovering an object distribution from its projections, which have been acquired from all angular views around the object. If the angular range is limited to less than 180° of parallel projections, typical reconstruction artefacts arise when using standard algorithms. To compensate for this, specialized algorithms usinga prioriinformation about the object need to be applied. The application behind this work is ultrafast limited-angle X-ray computed tomography of two-phase flows. Here, only a binary distribution of the two phases needs to be reconstructed, which reduces the complexity of the inverse problem. To solve it, a new reconstruction algorithm (LSR) based on the level-set method is proposed. It includes one force function term accounting for matching the projection data and one incorporating a curvature-dependent smoothing of the phase boundary. The algorithm has been validated using simulated as well as measured projections of known structures, and its performance has been compared to the algebraic reconstruction technique and a binary derivative of it. The validation as well as the application of the level-set reconstruction on a dynamic two-phase flow demonstrated its applicability and its advantages over other reconstruction algorithms.
Research and evaluation of T91 superheater material for high temperature corrosion in biomass power plants
Authors: Zhang Hongliang , Zhang Fang , Su Wei , Jiang Ya , Li Yuchun
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to evaluate corrosion resistance of superheater T91 material based on high temperature corrosion experiments with a condensate environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The contributions of water temperature, chloride concentration and corrosion time were considered and analyzed for modeling corrosion kinetics. The corrosion tendency also was predicted, and the results were compared with higher temperature exposures of T91 tube material installed in a biomass power plant.

Findings

– High temperature exposure tests showed that the corrosion rates of T91 material would increase with temperature; there was a very evident corrosion acceleration point in 110°C. It was concluded that dimensional homogeneity analysis can serve as a viable evaluation method for T91 superheater material.

Originality/value

– Dimensional homogeneity analysis was used as evaluation method for anti-corrosion performance of T91 superheater material.
The corrosion mechanism of 1Cr18Ni9Ti alloy used for an underwater craft component
Authors: Peng Zhiling , Zhao Heming
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– An engine component made from 1Cr18Ni9Ti alloy to be used underwater was the subject of the present research investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

– A stereomicroscope, a metallurgical microscope, a microhardness tester and an electron energy dispersion spectroscope were used to observe cross-sections of the alloy’s microstructure at different locations, as well as its overall corrosion behavior.

Findings

– The corrosion of the 1Cr18Ni9Ti alloy, attributed to welding, cold processing and plastic deformation processes, was investigated together with an analysis of the chemical composition of the corrosion products and microsclerometry of the cross-sections. It was revealed that defects such as shrinkage cavities and porosity, often were observed to occur in the welding fusion zone. During cold processing treatments, work hardening was induced in the surface layer. Corrosion products consisted of oxides, chlorides and sulfides, with oxides as the dominant component. The high chromium content of d-ferrite had resulted in chromium depletion in nearby phase boundaries, which had led to oxidation and corrosion at these boundaries. As the electrode potential of d-ferrite is different to that of austenite, it is possible for a galvanic couple to develop between the two phases, leading to differential rates of corrosion attack.

Originality/value

– Methods are proposed to improve corrosion resistance by improving the quality of the surface overlaying processes and by adopting special surface treatment techniques.
Devil continues to wear “counterfeit” Prada: a tale of two cities
Authors: Teah Min , Phau Ian , Huang Yu-an
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the influence of social and personality factors on attitudes towards counterfeiting of luxury brands and purchase intention between China Chinese and Taiwan Chinese consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data collection was conducted using a mall intercept approach in downtown Shanghai and Taipei. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and back-translated from English to Chinese and distributed. Structural equation modelling in LISREL was used to analyze the data.

Findings

– It was found that collectivism has a positive relationship with attitudes towards counterfeiting of luxury brands for the China Chinese but not for the Taiwan Chinese. Personal gratification was found to have a negative relationship with attitudes towards counterfeiting of luxury brands for the Taiwan Chinese consumers. Integrity and status consumption were found to have a positive relationship with attitudes towards counterfeiting of luxury brands for both the China Chinese and Taiwan Chinese consumers.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings are limited to comparison between China Chinese from Shanghai and Taiwan Chinese from Taipei; therefore, the results may not be generalizable across all Chinese consumers or international consumers. In addition, only luxury brands were examined in this paper. Future studies would need to address other contexts or specific product categories.

Practical implications

– This paper presents findings from two Chinese cities. The consumers may be from the same region; however, it is found from the study that they pose different attitudes and purchase intentions towards counterfeits of luxury brands. Therefore, the insights from this paper provide a deeper understanding into the differences between Chinese consumers and implications for practitioners, academics and policy makers.

Originality/value

– Majority of the cross-national studies are often compared between the so-called Western or Eastern countries. This paper examined counterfeiting from China (which is deemed as one of the largest manufacturers of counterfeits) and Taiwan (which was one of the largest counterfeiters decades ago). This provides insights into the development and differences between regional consumers and their attitudes towards counterfeits of luxury brands.
School Staff Autonomy and Educational Performance: Within‐School‐Type Evidence
Authors: Verschelde Marijn , Hindriks Jean , Rayp Glenn , Schoors Koen
Published: May 2015

In this paper, we show the effect of school staff autonomy on educational performance. The value‐added compared to the existing body of literature is that we employ variation in autonomy within the same country and within the same school type in order to reduce the omitted variable problem. To fully capture the informational advantage of local actors, we define autonomy as the operational empowerment of the school's direction and teachers. The Flemish secondary school system in Belgium is analysed because it displays unique within‐school‐type variation in school staff autonomy. This variation originates from autonomously operating school governing bodies that can group multiple schools and are free to delegate responsibilities to the school staff. This variation is likely exogenous because it is mainly driven by approximately random variation in characteristics and composition of the school boards. Combining detailed school‐level and pupil‐level data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2006 study with a semi‐parametric hierarchical model, we find a strong positive effect of school staff autonomy on educational performance. The result is shown to be robust to problems of reverse causality and simultaneity.
Political Knowledge and Attitudes towards Centralisation in Europe
Authors: Cerniglia Floriana , Pagani Laura
Published: May 2015

We analyse the impact of political knowledge on the attitudes of European citizens towards the possible distribution of competences between the European Union (EU) and the Member States. Our hypothesis is that citizens who are more informed about the EU will support the centralisation of competences in some policy areas according to the lines predicted by the fiscal federalism literature. We test our hypothesis using micro data from the Eurobarometer survey, taking into account the endogeneity of political knowledge. We find that more knowledgeable citizens are more willing to favour centralisation to the EU in areas where public intervention by individual Member States causes externalities, where economies of scale in the provision of public goods are important and where redistributive and stabilisation functions have to be pursued.
Development of a Time–Intensity Evaluation System for Consumers: Measuring Bitterness and Retronasal Aroma of Coffee Beverages in 106 Untrained Panelists
Authors: Gotow Naomi , Moritani Ami , Hayakawa Yoshinobu , Akutagawa Akihito , Hashimoto Hiroshi , Kobayakawa Tatsu
Published: May 2015

In order to develop products that are acceptable to consumers, it is necessary to incorporate consumers’ intentions into products’ characteristics. Therefore, investigation of consumers’ perceptions of the taste or smell of common beverages provides information that should be useful in predicting market responses. In this study, we sought to develop a time–intensity evaluation system for consumer panels. Using our system, we performed time–intensity evaluation of flavor attributes (bitterness and retronasal aroma) that consumers perceived after swallowing a coffee beverage. Additionally, we developed quantitative evaluation methods for determining whether consumer panelists can properly perform time–intensity evaluation. In every trial, we fitted an exponential function to measured intensity data for bitterness and retronasal aroma. The correlation coefficients between measured time–intensity data and the fitted exponential curves were greater than 0.8 in about 90% of trials, indicating that we had successfully developed a time–intensity system for use with consumer panelists, even after just a single training trial using a nontrained consumer. We classified participants into two groups based on their consumption of canned coffee beverages. Significant difference was observed in only AUC of sensory modality (bitterness compared with retronasal aroma) among conventional TI parameters using two‐way ANOVA. However, three‐way ANOVA including a time course revealed significant difference between bitterness and retronasal aroma in the high‐consumption group. Moreover, the high‐consumption group more easily discriminated between bitterness and retronasal aroma than the low‐consumption group. This finding implied that manufacturers should select consumer panelists who are suitable for their concepts of new products.
International Regulations ofPropolisQuality: Required Assays do not Necessarily Reflect their Polyphenolic‐RelatedIn VitroActivities
Authors: Bridi Raquel , Montenegro Gloria , Nuñez‐Quijada Gabriel , Giordano Ady , Fernanda Morán‐Romero Maria , Jara‐Pezoa Isaac , Speisky Hernán , Atala Elias , López‐Alarcón Camilo
Published: May 2015

Propolishas been proposed as a polyphenolic‐rich natural product potentially able to be used for human consumption or even for medicinal proposes. To guarantee a minimum phenolic and flavonoid content and as consequence of their related‐biological activities, international requirements ofpropolisquality are commonly applied. In this work we assessed phenolic and flavonoid contents ofpropolis; the antioxidant capacity (toward peroxyl radicals and hypochlorous acid); the ability to generate nitric oxide (NO); and, finally the antimicrobial activity of 6propolissamples from the VI region of Chile. Our results show that the total phenolic and flavonoid content ofpropolissamples are not always in agreement with their polyphenolic‐associatedin vitroactivities. For example, P03 and P06 samples showed the lowest (25 ± 4 GAE/gpropolis) and the highest (105 ± 3 GAE/gpropolis) total phenolic content, respectively. This was in agreement with flavonoid content and their Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) activity. However, this dependence was not observed toward HOCl, NO release and antimicrobial activity. Based on our results, we consider that, in order to guarantee the antioxidant or antimicrobialin vitroeffects, the international regulations ofpropolisquality should contemplate the convenience of incorporating other simple analytical test such as ORAC or antimicrobial tests.
Antioxidant Activity of Oxygen Evolving Enhancer Protein 1 Purified from Capsosiphon fulvescens
Authors: Kim Eun‐Young , Choi Youn Hee , Lee Jung Im , Kim In‐Hye , Nam Taek‐Jeong
Published: May 2015

This study was conducted to determine the antioxidant activity of a protein purified from Capsosiphon fulvescens. The purification steps included sodium acetate (pH 6) extraction and diethylaminoethyl‐cellulose, reversed phase Shodex C4P‐50 column chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis indicated that the molecular weight of the purified protein was 33 kDa. The N‐terminus and partial peptide amino acid sequence of this protein was identical to the sequence of oxygen evolving enhancer (OEE) 1 protein. The antioxidant activity of the OEE 1 was determined in vitro using a scavenging test with 4 types of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical, hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). OEE 1 had higher H2O2 scavenging activity, which proved to be the result of enzymatic antioxidants rather than nonenzymatic antioxidants. In addition, OEE 1 showed less H2O2‐mediated ROS formation in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that OEE 1 purified from C. fulvescens is an excellent antioxidant.
Optimization of Low Sodium Salts Mix for Shoestring Potatoes
Authors: Pereira Heverton Carrara , de Souza Vanessa Rios , Azevedo Natália Csizmar , Rodrigues Daniela Maria , Nunes Cleiton Antônio , Pinheiro Ana Carla Marques
Published: May 2015

Several studies have shown the close relationship between the sodium consumption and health problems such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Thus, the demand for products with reduced sodium content, but with sensory quality, is increasing every day. In this context, this study aimed to optimize a low sodium salts mix using sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and monosodium glutamate to the development of shoestring potatoes with low sodium content and high sensory quality, through mixture design and response surface methodology. The salts mix that promotes the same salting power and similar sensory acceptability that the shoestring potatoes with 1.6% sodium chloride (ideal concentration) and at the same time promotes the greatest possible reduction of sodium, about 65%, should provide the composition as follows: 0.48% of sodium chloride, 0.92% of potassium chloride, and 0.43% of monosodium glutamate.
Combined Effect of Thermosonication and Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water to Reduce Foodborne Pathogens and Spoilage Microorganisms on Fresh‐cut Kale
Authors: Mansur Ahmad Rois , Oh Deog‐Hwan
Published: May 2015

This study evaluated the efficacy of individual treatments (thermosonication [TS+DW] and slightly acidic electrolyzed water [SAcEW]) and their combination on reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and spoilage microorganisms (total bacterial counts [TBC], Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., and yeast and mold counts [YMC]) on fresh‐cut kale. For comparison, the antimicrobial efficacies of sodium chlorite (SC; 100 mg/L) and sodium hypochlorite (SH; 100 mg/L) were also evaluated. Each 10 g sample of kale leaves was inoculated to contain approximately 6 log CFU/g of E. coli O157:H7 or L. monocytogenes. Each inoculated or uninoculated samples was then dip treated with deionized water (DW; control), TS+DW, and SAcEW at various treatment conditions (temperature, physicochemical properties, and time) to assess the efficacy of each individual treatment. The efficacy of TS+DW or SAcEW was enhanced at 40 °C for 3 min, with an acoustic energy density of 400 W/L for TS+DW and available chlorine concentration of 5 mg/L for SAcEW. At 40 °C for 3 min, combined treatment of thermosonication 400 W/L and SAcEW 5 mg/L (TS+SAcEW) was more effective in reducing microorganisms compared to the individual treatments (SAcEW, SC, SH, and TS+DW) and combined treatments (TS+SC and TS+SH), which significantly (P < 0.05) reduced E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, TBC, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., and YMC by 3.32, 3.11, 3.97, 3.66, 3.62, and >3.24 log CFU/g, respectively. The results suggest that the combined treatment of TS+SAcEW has the potential as a decontamination process in fresh‐cut industry.
Species Diversity and Pheno‐ and Genotypic Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Staphylococci Isolated from Retail Ground Meats
Authors: Guran Husnu Sahan , Kahya Serpil
Published: May 2015

The presence and species diversity of staphylococci in 250 ground beef and lamb meat samples obtained from Diyarbakir, Turkey were investigated. The presence of the 16S rRNA gene, mecA, nuc, pvl, and femA was analyzed by multiplex PCR. Pheno‐ and genotypic antibiotic resistance profiles of 208 staphylococci isolates were established. Of the ground beef and ground lamb samples, 86.4% and 62.4% were positive for staphylococci, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus, S. saprophyticus, S. hominis, S. lentus, S. pasteuri, S. warneri, S. intermedius, and S. vitulinus made up 40.8%, 28.8%, 11%, 3.8%, 3.8%, 2.4%, 2.4%, and 2.4% of isolates, respectively. Of the 85 S. aureus isolates, 40%, 47%, and 5.8% carried femA, mecA, and pvl, respectively, whereas the corresponding rates for the 118 coagulase‐negative staphylococci (CoNS) were 0%, 10.1%, and 0%, respectively. We determined from the 208 isolates, the highest antibiotic resistances were to tetracycline and oxytetracycline (85.5%), followed by penicillin (51.4%), novobiocin (45.6%), ampicillin (39.9%), and doxycycline (31.7%), using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Inst. (CLSI) method. All isolates were sensitive to gentamycin, ofloxacin, and tobramycin, but 2.3% of the S. aureus isolates had resistance to vancomycin. The staphylococci isolates carried tet(K), blaZ, tet(L), tet(W), cat, tet(S), tet(M), ermB, ermA, and ermC antibiotic resistance genes at rates of 59%, 51.7%, 36.9%, 31.8%, 27.2%, 27.2%, 24.4%, 18.1%, 7.9%, and 3.9%, respectively.
The Effect of Proanthocyanidins on Growth and Alcoholic Fermentation of Wine Yeast under Copper Stress
Authors: Jia Bo , Liu Xingyan , Zhan Jicheng , Li Jingyuan , Huang Weidong
Published: May 2015

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) derived from the grape skin, as well as from grape seeds, grape stems, are an important group of polyphenols in wine. The aim of this study was to understand the effect of PAs (0.1, 1.0 g/L) on growth and alcoholic fermentation of 2 strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (commercial strain FREDDO and newly selected strain BH8) during copper‐stress fermentation, using a simple model fermentation system. Our results showed that both PAs and Cu2+ could pose significant inhibition effects on the growth of yeast cells, CO2 release, sugar consumption, and ethanol production during the initial phase of the fermentation. Compared to PAs, Cu2+ performed more obvious inhibition on the yeast growth and fermentation. However, adding 1.0 g/L PAs increased in the vitality and metabolism activity of yeast cells at the mid‐exponential phase of fermentation in the mediums with no copper and 0.1 mM Cu2+ added, shortened the period of wine fermentation, and decreased the copper residues. It indicated that PAs could improve the ability of wine yeast to resist detrimental effects under copper‐stress fermentation condition, maintaining cells metabolic activity, and fermentation could be controlled by manipulating PAs supplementation.
Effect of High Hydrostatic Pressure Combined with Moderate Heat to Inactivate Pressure‐Resistant Bacteria in Water‐Boiled Salted Duck
Authors: Ye Keping , Feng Yulin , Wang Kai , Bai Yun , Xu Xinglian , Zhou Guanghong
Published: May 2015

The objective of this work was to study the effect of high hydrostatic pressure combined with moderate heat to inactivate pressure‐resistant bacteria in water‐boiled salted duck meat (WBSDM), and to establish suitable procedures to improve the quality of WBSDM. The conditions (300 MPa/60 °C, 400 MPa/60 °C, and 500 MPa/50 °C) effectively inactivated the pressure‐resistant bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus warneri) in WBSDM. Although more pressure‐resistant than S. warneri, the above treatment conditions inactivated B. cereus more than 107 CFU/mL in buffer, and more than 106 CFU/g in WBSDM, and did not cause any changes in color, texture, or moisture content of products. The interaction between pressure and temperature is a more significant factor than only pressure in inactivating both B. cereus and S. warneri, the treatment of WBSDM at 400 MPa/ 60 °C/ 10 min is the most practical condition for postprocess of WBSDM after cooking.
The effect of position on esophageal structure and function determined with solid‐state high‐resolution manometry
Authors: Zhang Xiu Jing , Xiang Xue Lian , Tu Lei , Xie Xiao Ping , Hou Xiao Hua
Published: May 2015

Objective

To investigate the influence of posture on the anatomy and function of esophageal sphincters using solid‐state high‐resolution manometry.

Methods

Fifty individuals underwent esophageal manometry with a 36‐channel solid‐state catheter in the supine and upright positions. The length and pressure of the esophageal sphincters, as well as the esophageal and intra‐abdominal lengths of lower esophageal sphincter (LES), were recorded. The residual pressure of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and the 4‐s integrated relaxation pressure were also measured when the participants swallowed 10 consecutive servings of water (5 mL each). The Bland–Altman plot was used to assess agreement between these parameters in the supine and upright positions.

Results

The LES resting pressure was significantly decreased in the upright position compared with the supine position (13.85 ± 5.90 mmHg vs 18.09 ± 7.80 mmHg, P = 0.000). Weaker integrated relaxation pressures were observed when the participants were in the upright position (5.66 ± 3.33 mmHg vs 7.80 ± 3.25 mmHg, P = 0.000). Compared with the supine position, the upright esophageal length was longer (P = 0.004) and the upper border of the LES was lower (P = 0.050) when the individuals were in the upright position. The agreement between the two positions was acceptable for the esophageal length, LES upper border location and LES pressure measurements.

Conclusions

Body position exerts a greater influence on the LES than on the UES. Thus, it is necessary to establish normal values for the LES basal pressure and residual pressure in different positions.
Overcoming limitations of modelling rare species by using ensembles of small models
Authors: Breiner Frank T. , Guisan Antoine , Bergamini Ariel , Nobis Michael P.
Published: May 2015

Species distribution models (SDMs) have become a standard tool in ecology and applied conservation biology. Modelling rare and threatened species is particularly important for conservation purposes. However, modelling rare species is difficult because the combination of few occurrences and many predictor variables easily leads to model overfitting. A new strategy using ensembles of small models was recently developed in an attempt to overcome this limitation of rare species modelling and has been tested successfully for only a single species so far. Here, we aim to test the approach more comprehensively on a large number of species including a transferability assessment.

For each species, numerous small (here bivariate) models were calibrated, evaluated and averaged to an ensemble weighted byAUCscores. These ‘ensembles of small models’ (ESMs) were compared to standardSDMs using three commonly used modelling techniques (GLM,GBMand Maxent) and their ensemble prediction. We tested 107 rare and under‐sampled plant species of conservation concern in Switzerland.

We show thatESMs performed significantly better than standardSDMs. The rarer the species, the more pronounced the effects were.ESMs were also superior to standardSDMs and their ensemble when they were evaluated using a transferability assessment.

By averaging simple small models to an ensemble,ESMs avoid overfitting without losing explanatory power through reducing the number of predictor variables. They further improve the reliability of species distribution models, especially for rare species, and thus help to overcome limitations of modelling rare species.
Discrete choice modelling of natal dispersal: ‘Choosing’ where to breed from a finite set of available areas
Authors: Vardakis Michalis , Goos Peter , Adriaensen Frank , Matthysen Erik
Published: May 2015

Classic natal dispersal studies focus mainly on distance travelled. Although distances capture some of the main selective pressures related to dispersal, this approach cannot easily incorporate the properties of the actual destination vs. the available alternatives. Recently, movement ecology studies have addressed questions on movement decisions in relation to availability of resources and/or availability of suitable habitats through the use of discrete choice models (DCMs), a widely used type of models within econometrics, which explains individual choices as a function of the properties of a finite number of alternatives.

In this contribution, we show how the dispersal discrete choice model (DDCM) can be used for analysing natal dispersal data in patchy environments given that the natal and the breeding area of the disperser are observed. We test this method using a case study on Great Tits (Parus major) in an archipelago of small woodlots.

Our results show thatDDCMs are able to capture the results of classic distance‐based approaches and simultaneously allow testing hypotheses on how departure and settlement are affected by variables that characterize the disperser, the natal patch and the breeding area, as well as their interactions.

DDCMs can be applied to any other species and system that uses some form of discrete breeding location or a certain degree of discretization can be applied.
The prevalence and predictors of type two diabetes mellitus in people with schizophrenia: a systematic review and comparative meta‐analysis
Authors: Stubbs B. , Vancampfort D. , De Hert M. , Mitchell A. J.
Published: May 2015

Objective

To conduct a meta‐analysis investigating the prevalence of type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in people with schizophrenia compared to controls.

Method

Systematic review of electronic databases from inception till November 2014. Articles reporting the prevalence of T2DM in people with schizophrenia and healthy controls (without mental illness) were included. Two independent authors conducted searches and extracted data. A random effects relative risks (RR) meta‐analysis was conducted.

Results

Twenty‐five studies including 145 718 individuals with schizophrenia (22.5–54.4 years) and 4 343 407 controls were included. The prevalence of T2DM in people with schizophrenia was 9.5% (95% CI = 7.0–12.8, n = 145 718) and 10.75% (95% CI 7.44–14.5%, n = 2698) in studies capturing T2DM according to recognized criteria. The pooled RR across all studies was 1.82 (95% CI = 1.56–2.13; = 4 489 125). Subgroup analyses found a RR of 2.53 (95% CI = 1.68–3.799, n = 17 727) in studies ascertaining T2DM according to recognized criteria and RR 1.65 (95% CI = 1.34–2.03, n = 4 243 389) in studies relying on T2DM determined through medical records.

Conclusion

People with schizophrenia are at least double the risk of developing T2DM according to recognized T2DM criteria. Proactive lifestyle and screening programmes should be given clinical priority.
Patatin‐like phospholipase 3 (rs738409) gene polymorphism is associated with increased liver enzymes in obese adolescents and metabolic syndrome in all ages
Authors: Mangge H. , Baumgartner B. G. , Zelzer S. , Prüller F. , Schnedl W. J. , Reininghaus E. Z. , Haybaeck J. , Lackner C. , Stauber R. , Aigner E. , Weghuber D.
Published: May 2015

Background

Obesity is associated with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and the patatin‐like phospholipase 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 (Ile148Met, C>G) gene polymorphism is one of the most important genetic determinants of NAFLD. Carriers have been reported to better respond to lifestyle modification.

Aim

To investigate the effect of rs738409 on overweight/obese adolescents and adults with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods

Two hundred and eighty‐eight overweight/obese and 209 normal weight participants of the STYJOBS/EDECTA cohort (NCT00482924) were analysed for PNPLA3 genotypes.

Results

Compared to overweight/obese without MetS, in overweight/obese study participants with MetS, the presence of the G allele (148Met) was significantly higher (CC: 5.0% vs. 9.2%, Spearman's correlation, 0.12; P = 0.038). Persons with CG (heterozygote for the risk allele) and with GG (homozygote for the risk allele) genotypes showed significantly higher ALT levels than those with CC genotypes. Even young individuals aged below 20 years had significantly increased ALT levels if they were homozygote with the G allele.

Conclusions

The PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism is associated already in youths with increased ALT, and is more frequent in obese with MetS of all ages. Hence, overweight/obese rs738409 carriers should be identified early in life and treated with a rigorous life style intervention.
Thiopurine methyltransferase and treatment outcome in the UK acute lymphoblastic leukaemia trial ALL2003
Authors: Lennard Lynne , Cartwright Cher S. , Wade Rachel , Vora Ajay
Published: May 2015

The influence of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) genotype on treatment outcome was investigated in the United Kingdom childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia trial ALL2003, a trial in which treatment intensity was adjusted based on minimal residual disease (MRD). TPMT genotype was measured in 2387 patients (76% of trial entrants): 2190 were homozygous wild‐type, 189 were heterozygous for low activity TPMT alleles (166 TPMT*1/*3A, 19 TPMT*1/*3C, 3 TPMT*1/*2 and 1 TPMT*1/*9) and 8 were TPMT deficient. In contrast to the preceding trial ALL97, there was no difference in event‐free survival (EFS) between the TPMT genotypes. The 5‐year EFS for heterozygous TPMT*1/*3A patients was the same in both trials (88%), but for the homozygous wild‐type TPMT*1/*1 patients, EFS improved from 80% in ALL97% to 88% in ALL2003. Importantly, the unexplained worse outcome for heterozygous TPMT*1/*3C patients observed in ALL97 (5‐year EFS 53%) was not seen in ALL2003 (5‐year EFS 94%). In a multivariate Cox regression analysis the only significant factor affecting EFS was MRD status (hazard ratio for high‐risk MRD patients 4·22, 95% confidence interval 2·97–5·99, P < 0·0001). In conclusion, refinements in risk stratification and treatment have reduced the influence of TPMT genotype on treatment outcome in a contemporary protocol.