bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Valproic acid decreases brain lesion size and improves neurologic recovery in swine subjected to traumatic brain injury, hemorrhagic shock, and polytrauma
Authors: Nikolian Vahagn C. , Georgoff Patrick E. , Pai Manjunath P. , Dennahy Isabel S. , Chtraklin Kiril , Eidy Hassan , Ghandour Mohamed H. , Han Yanyan , Srinivasan Ashok , Li Yongqing , Alam Hasan B.
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

We have previously shown that treatment with valproic acid (VPA) decreases brain lesion size in swine models of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and controlled hemorrhage. To translate this treatment into clinical practice, validation of drug efficacy and evaluation of pharmacologic properties in clinically realistic models of injury are necessary. In this study, we evaluate neurologic outcomes and perform pharmacokinetic analysis of a single dose of VPA in swine subjected to TBI, hemorrhagic shock, and visceral hemorrhage.

METHODS

Yorkshire swine (n = 5/cohort) were subjected to TBI, hemorrhagic shock, and polytrauma (liver and spleen injury, rib fracture, and rectus abdominis crush). Animals remained in hypovolemic shock for 2 hours before resuscitation with isotonic sodium chloride solution (ISCS; volume = 3× hemorrhage) or ISCS + VPA (150 mg/kg). Neurologic severity scores were assessed daily for 30 days, and brain lesion size was measured via magnetic resonance imaging on postinjury days (PID) 3 and 10. Serum samples were collected for pharmacokinetic analysis.

RESULTS

Shock severity and response to resuscitation were similar in both groups. Valproic acid–treated animals demonstrated significantly less neurologic impairment between PID 1 to 5 and smaller brain lesions on PID 3 (mean lesion size ± SEM, mm3: ISCS = 4,956 ± 1,511 versus ISCS + VPA = 828 ± 279; p = 0.047). No significant difference in lesion size was identified between groups at PID 10 and all animals recovered to baseline neurologic function during the 30-day observation period. Animals treated with VPA had faster neurocognitive recovery (days to initiation of testing, mean ± SD: ISCS = 6.2 ± 1.6 vs ISCS + VPA = 3.6 ± 1.5; p = 0.002; days to task mastery: ISCS = 7.0 ± 1.0 vs ISCS + VPA = 4.8 ± 0.5; p = 0.03). The mean ± SD maximum VPA concentrations, area under the curve, and half-life were 145 ± 38.2 mg/L, 616 ± 150 hour·mg/L, and 1.70 ± 0.12 hours.

CONCLUSIONS

In swine subjected to TBI, hemorrhagic shock, and polytrauma, VPA treatment is safe, decreases brain lesion size, and reduces neurologic injury compared to resuscitation with ISCS alone. These benefits are achieved at clinically translatable serum concentrations of VPA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic (preclinical study).
Improving decision making in product flow-based tiling automation for custom mosaic design
Authors: Peganant Panitcha , Koomsap Pisut
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a new tile dispensing decision-making to improve a row formation of a product flow-based tiling automation that has been being developed to support tile placement for custom mosaic design.

Design/methodology/approach

A new tile dispensing decision-making combines maximum tile loading and simple cycle strategies to minimize time for forming rows of tiles. The maximum tile loading strategy is for minimizing the number of loading rounds, while the simple cycle strategy is for minimizing the movement during the row formation.

Findings

This proposed decision-making has been developed; implemented in LabVIEW software; linked with other LabVIEW-based programs to control the system; and tested. The results showed the tile dispensing with the proposed decision-making performed better than the previous one.

Research limitations/implications

The tiling automation is being developed and is currently on a prototyping stage.

Originality/value

Tile dispensing is critical for this row by row automated assembly, but the existing shortest distance strategy does not guarantee the best performance for a row formation. Therefore, the combination of the maximum tile loading and simple cycle strategies has been developed to improve the performance of the product flow-based tiling automation to better support assembly of custom mosaic design that requires individual tesserae to be assembled to particular positions to illustrate an image properly.
A study of indentation behaviour of sandwich panels supported rigidly
Authors: Zhou Gang , Zhang Bolun , Pasricha Aimee
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The indentation behaviour of sandwich panels is significant to incipient damage and is known to be affected by a number of dominant parameters. However, it is challenging not only to demonstrate how those few dominant parameters influence the indentation behaviour but also to ascertain that such influence was coupled to the variation of the other dominant parameters. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, the authors adopted a controllable quasi-static testing to carry out a diagnostic interrogation on the nature of incipient damage in laminate-skinned sandwich panels using hemispherical indenter and used photographs taken from the cross-sections of all the cut-up tested specimens, which were stopped both just before and after the initial critical loads, respectively, to confirm the mechanism of the incipient damage. Sandwich panels with aluminium honeycomb core had carbon/epoxy skins of two different thicknesses and lay-ups and hemispherical nosed indenter had three different diameters.

Findings

The authors found that: the incipient damage mechanism in all the panels was combined delamination in the skin and core crushing without debonding; doubling the skin thickness had the significant enhancement on critical load and indentation and this enhancement became greater for the larger indenter diameters; the indenter diameter had the moderate effect on critical load in the thick panels from 8 to 14 mm but had the negligible effect on thin panels and no effect on the thick panels from 14 to 20 mm; varying the skin lay-up or support had little effect on the indentation behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

These findings were limited to the constant core density and core thickness. Varying the former significantly could alter the findings accordingly.

Practical implications

The results of this work should be tremendously useful to design and analysis in industrial applications of sandwich structures in aircraft, vehicles, marine vessels and transport carriages for situations involving localised loading and deformation.

Originality/value

The results of this research work is one of the very few that demonstrated a systematic understanding of the indentation behaviour characteristics of sandwich construction, which is vital to the establishment of indentation law for sandwich structures in future.
Understanding modern terror and insurgency through the lens of street gangs: ISIS as a case study
Authors: Valasik Matthew , Phillips Matthew
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use nearly a century’s worth of gang research to inform us about modern terrorist groups, specifically the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach is employed, comparing and contrasting the competing theoretical frameworks of gangs and terrorist organisations to understand group structure, demographics, patterns of behaviour (e.g. territoriality, strategic, and instrumental violence), goals, and membership patterns of ISIS.

Findings

The qualitative differences of ISIS make them more comparable to street gangs than other terrorist groups.

Practical implications

ISIS, while being qualitatively different from other terrorist groups, actually has many similarities with street gangs allowing for the adaptation of effective gang prevention, intervention, and suppression strategies. This paper highlights how the expansive literature on street gangs is able to inform practical interventions to directly target ISIS and deradicalise potential recruits. By introducing a gang-terror nexus on the crime-terror continuum, this paper provides a useful perspective on the decentralised but dynamic nature of modern era insurgencies. This paper urges similar case studies of terrorist organisations to determine the extent to which they conform to street gang characteristics.

Originality/value

Terrorist groups are often compared to street gangs, yet it has not been until the last few years that gang researchers (Curry, 2011; Decker and Pyrooz, 2011, 2015a, b) have begun to compare and contrast these two deviant group archetypes. The goal of this paper is to use nearly a hundred years of gang research to better equip scholars and practitioners with a broader understanding of terrorism and insurgency in the era of globalisation by presenting a case study of ISIS using a street gang perspective.
Preventing successful assassination attacks by terrorists: an environmental criminology approach
Authors: Mandala Marissa , Freilich Joshua D.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use an environmental criminology and situational crime prevention (SCP) framework to study global assassinations carried out by terrorists. The authors set forth a series of hypotheses to explain successful and unsuccessful assassination incidents.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use assassination data from the Global Terrorism Database from 1970 to 2014 to estimate a series binary logistic regression models.

Findings

Results indicate that various situational factors contribute to successful assassinations, such as target types, weapon types, total fatalities, and injuries.

Practical implications

These findings suggest that environmental criminology and SCP are valuable in developing prevention measures that thwart and disrupt attempted assassinations by terrorists.

Originality/value

Criminology has yet to apply environmental criminology and SCP to assassinations, a tactic often used by terrorists. This paper thus extends the existing assassination, terrorism, and criminology literature by applying this framework to assassinations performed by terrorists.
Comfort and shelter for all: a case of an entrepreneurial firm
Authors: Joshi Manoj , Dixit Shailja , Sinha Amit
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this case study is to explore enterprise creation and explore the entrepreneurship process, which necessitates entrepreneurial recognition and entrepreneurial orientation. The case also investigates how an entrepreneurial firm appreciates the importance of innovative practices for an organisational growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The case is based on primary research, secondary information, followed by testing the case several times and plugging case gaps. To authenticate information, multiple sources have been used in a time frame of over one year.

Findings

This case clearly demonstrates ability by an entrepreneur towards opportunity recognition, pro-activeness, engaging innovative skills and a capacity to undertake risks.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on observations of one company and research carried through secondary sources, which may limit the theory creation.

Practical implications

The accomplishment of the firm is attributed in accepting opportunities and potentially utilising its strengths towards growth. The case reflects, how Ajay, the founder of a Start-up ‘Comfort and Shelter’, intrinsically motivated and with prior knowledge in the financial services sector, was able to translate opportunities effectively via his orientation skills. Besides this in his entrepreneurial journey, Ajay was able to scale the business by continuously orienting his start-up towards customer orientation.

Social implications

It is imperative to understand social needs of individuals, hereby in this case need for affordable homes. An entrepreneur can be driven by social needs and create a profitable enterprise.

Originality/value

The case is original and reflects entrepreneurial journey of an individual as well as that of an enterprise.
Oil exports and non-oil exports
Authors: Karamelikli Huseyin , Akalin Guray , Arslan Unal
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the dynamic relationship between oil exports, non-oil exports, imports and economic growth in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), covering the period 1972-2013 by using panel data analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The results from the dynamic panel data methods are as follows: there exists the cross-sectional dependence on each variable. According to the cross-sectionally augmented panel unit root tests, all variables are stationary at the first difference. Westerlund and Edgerton (2007) LM Bootstrap cointegration test shows that there is a long-term relationship between variables.

Findings

The results obtained by the Common Correlated Effects (CCE) estimator indicate that the increase in oil exports has a positive impact on the GDP of all countries, while the increase in oil exports has a negative impact on the non-oil exports of some countries.

Originality/value

In this study, the relationship between oil exports, economic growth, imports and non-oil exports of the 12 OPEC member countries is tested by considering the cross-sectional dependence between 1972 and 2013. In the study, the authors found a positive relationship as a result of researching the impact of oil exports on economic growth in the frame of CCE panel estimations results.
Assessing the effect of inflation uncertainty on inflation: further evidences for Latin America
Authors: Ferreira Diego , Palma Andreza Aparecida
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate whether the effect of inflation uncertainty on inflation has changed over time in Latin America.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a stochastic volatility in mean (SVM) model with time-varying parameters (TVP) as proposed by Chan (2017).

Findings

Considering inflation series for the last two decades, we report evidences of high uncertainty from 1996 to early 2000s. Moreover, despite being positive throughout the sample, the overall relationship between inflation uncertainty and inflation has changed over the years in Latin America, underscoring the importance of our time-varying specification.

Practical/implication

There are evidences of a greater volatile inflation behavior in the beginning of the sample period in comparison to the last few years. Overall, the considered Latin American economies seem to have endured relatively well the external adverse shocks from the 2008 global financial crisis.

Originality/value

The use of an SVM model with TVP in order to assess the effect of inflation uncertainty on inflation is new to the Latin America literature.
Evaluating the internal dualism of the informal sector: evidence from the European Union
Authors: Williams Colin C. , Horodnic Ioana Alexandra , Windebank Jan
Published: July 2017

Purpose

To transcend the current debates about whether participation in the informal sector is a result of informal workers “exclusion” or their voluntary “exit” from the formal sector, the purpose of this paper is to propose and evaluate the existence of a dual informal labour market composed of an exit-driven “upper tier” and exclusion-driven “lower-tier” of informal workers.

Design/methodology/approach

To do this, data from a 2013 Eurobarometer survey involving 27,563 face-to-face interviews across the European Union is reported.

Findings

The finding is that in the European Union, there is a dual informal labour market with those participating in the informal sector due to their exclusion from the formal sector being half the number of those doing so to voluntarily exit the formal sector. Using a logistic regression analysis, the exclusion-driven “lower tier” is identified as significantly more likely to be populated by the unemployed and those living in East-Central Europe and the exit-driven “upper tier” by those with few financial difficulties and living in Nordic nations.

Research limitations/implications

The results reveal the need not only to transcend either/or debates about whether participants in the informal sector are universally exclusion-or exit-driven, and to adopt a both/and approach that recognises a dual informal labour market composed of an exit-driven upper tier and exclusion-driven lower tier, but also for wider research on the relative sizes of these two tiers in individual countries and other global regions, along with which groups populate these tiers.

Originality/value

This is the first evaluation of the internal dualism of the informal sector in the European Union.
Work-related stress in forensic mental health professionals: a systematic review
Authors: Brown Darcy , Igoumenou Artemis , Mortlock Anna-marie , Gupta Nitin , Das Mrigendra
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the prevalence of stress and burnout among forensic mental health (FMH) professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of the available literature accessed by relevant databases was conducted.

Findings

This study concluded that FMH suffer from moderate levels of both stress and burnout. There is insufficient evidence to establish that they suffer from higher levels of stress than their non-forensic colleagues. Interventions such as psychosocial intervention training have been reported to demonstrate an improvement in staff knowledge and attitudes towards patients, whilst reducing burnout.

Practical implications

Stress in FMH is a cause of concern. Conclusions drawn are applicable only to nursing staff as other professions were not adequately represented. As most studies used the burnout scores, results were directly comparable. Further research is needed to fully evaluate stress and burnout in professionals who work within FMH settings.

Originality/value

High levels of stress and burnout have negative effects on an individual’s ability to work and subsequently there is a financial and also moral incentive for the management of health service workforces to intervene. This study highlights that FMH, as a population, are at risk.
Negative relating styles of learning-disabled and non-learning-disabled offenders
Authors: Craven Rachel , Tonkin Matthew
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare learning-disabled (LD) and non-LD offenders in terms of their relating styles and to examine the relationship between relating styles and offence types.

Design/methodology/approach

Two groups of male offenders completed the Person’s Relating to Others Questionnaire – Version 3 (PROQ3) and were compared using an independent groups design. An adapted version of the PROQ3 was given to the first group, which consisted of 18 LD offenders detained within a mental health hospital. The second group consisted of 30 offenders detained within a Category B prison in the UK. Offenders were assigned to one of four offence categories (violence, homicide, sexual and robbery) and compared in terms of their PROQ3 scores.

Findings

The findings suggest that the sample of LD offenders had increased relating deficits compared to the non-LD offenders. The LD offenders achieved higher scores on four of the eight PROQ3 subscales; Upper Neutral (UN), Upper Close (UC), Neutral Close (NC), Lower Distant, and the total score. Significant differences were found on the UN, NC, Neutral Distant (ND), Upper Distant (UD) subscales and the total score for the robbery offenders compared to the other offence categories. Violent offenders achieved higher scores on the UC and Lower Distant subscales.

Practical implications

The need for research to focus on evaluating the treatment needs of lower functioning offenders in order to aid the development of LD-specific interventions. The need to evaluate the appropriateness of adapting mainstream offence focussed programmes for the LD population, given that there are potentially different treatment needs between these two distinct groups.

Originality/value

The results indicate that cognitive functioning is associated with higher levels of interpersonal deficit, suggesting increased treatment needs for the LD offender population. The study also highlighted that different treatment needs exist between the LD and non-LD offenders.
Investigation of photovoltaic properties of nanostructure indoline dye-sensitised solar cells using changes in assembling materials
Authors: Hosseinnezhad Mozhgan , Gharanjig Kamaladin
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study assembling parameters in dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) performance. For this end, 3a,7a-dihydroxy-5ß-cholanic acid (cheno) are selected as anti-aggregation agent and two solutions, namely, tetrabutyl ammonium iodide and (PMII)IL used as electrolyte.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of organic dyes were selected using N-substituents carbazole as electron donor group and acrylic acid and cyanoacrylic acid as electron acceptor groups. Absorption properties of purified dyes were studied in solution and on photoelectrode substrate. DSSCs were prepared in the presence of anti-aggregation agent and different electrolyte to determine the photovoltaic performance of each dyes.

Findings

The results showed that all organic dyes form J-aggregation on the photoanode substrate in the absence of anti-aggregation agent and the amounts of aggregation were reduced in the presence of anti-aggregation agent. DSSCs were fabricated in the presence of anti-aggregation agent. The photovoltaic properties were improved using tetrabutyl ammonium iodide as electrolyte. The maximum power conversion efficiency was achieved for D12 in the presence of cheno and tetrabutyl ammonium iodide as anti-aggregation agent and electrolyte, respectively.

Social implications

Organic dye attracts more and more attention due to low cost, facile route synthesis and less hazardous.

Originality/value

The effect of anti-aggregation agent and electrolyte on DSSCs performance was investigated for the first time.
Reassortant DS‐1‐like G1P[4] Rotavirus A strains generated from co‐circulating strains in Vietnam, 2012/2013
Authors: Agbemabiese Chantal Ama , Nakagomi Toyoko , Nguyen Minh Quang , Gauchan Punita , Nakagomi Osamu
Published: July 2017

One major mechanism by which Rotavirus A (RVA) evolves is genetic reassortment between strains with different genotype constellations. However, the parental strains of the reassortants generated have seldom been identified. Here, the whole genome of two suspected reassortants, RVA/Human‐wt/VNM/SP127/2013/G1P[4] and RVA/Human‐wt/VNM/SP193/2013/G1P[4], with short RNA electropherotypes were examined by Illumina MiSeq sequencing and their ancestral phylogenies reconstructed. Their genotype constellation, G1‐P[4]‐I2‐R2‐C2‐M2‐A2‐N2‐T2‐E2‐H2, indicated that they were G1 VP7 mono‐reassortants possessing DS‐1‐like genetic backbones. The two strains were ≧99.7% identical across the genome. While their VP7 genes were ≧99.7 identical to that of a Wa‐like strain RVA/Human‐wt/VNM/SP110/2012/G1P[8] which co‐circulated during the 2012/2013 season, 10 genes were ≧99.8% identical to that of the DS‐1‐like strains RVA/Human‐wt/VNM/SP015/2012/G2P[4] (and SP108) that co‐circulated during the season. The identities were consistent with the phylogenetic relationships observed between the genes of the reassortants and those of the afore‐mentioned strains. Consequently, the G1P[4] strains appear to have been generated by genetic reassortment between SP110‐like and SP015‐like strains. In conclusion, this study provides robust molecular evidence for the first time that G1P[4] strains detected in Hanoi Vietnam were generated by inter‐genogroup reassortment between co‐circulating G1P[8] and G2P[4] strains within the same place and season.
Man vs. Machine: A Junior‐Level Laboratory Exercise Comparing Human and Instrumental Detection Limits
Authors: Elias Ryan J. , Hopfer Helene , Hofstaedter Amanda N. , Hayes John E.
Published: July 2017

The human nose is a very sensitive detector and is able to detect potent aroma compounds down to low ng/L levels. These levels are often below detection limits of analytical instrumentation. The following laboratory exercise is designed to compare instrumental and human methods for the detection of volatile odor active compounds. Reference standards of 3‐mercapto‐1‐hexanol (3MH), a secondary thiol that is important to food quality, are analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC‐FID), and these raw data are provided to students. Students also perform a series of 3‐alternative forced choice (3‐AFC) sensory tests to determine the human detection limits in a series of samples. For both data sets, 2 methods of data analysis (standard deviation of the response and the slope and signal‐to‐noise ratio for GC‐FID data; forced‐choice ascending concentration series method of limits and linear regression for 3‐AFC data) will be used to estimate instrumental detection limits and human thresholds. GC‐FID and 3‐AFC results are then compared by the students to demonstrate the importance of instrumental and human methods for food analysis, and to provide an experiential learning opportunity to critically think through multiple methods of analysis and compare the outcomes of those methods. In completing the laboratory exercise and discussion questions, students will gain an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of human and instrumental measurements in food analysis, and compare the outcome of common data analysis methods for instrumental and sensory data.
How Looking for Celiac‐Safe Wheat Can Influence Its Technological Properties
Authors: Boukid Fatma , Mejri Mondher , Pellegrini Nicoletta , Sforza Stefano , Prandi Barbara
Published: July 2017

Because of the continuous increase in the prevalence of gluten‐related disorders, selection of wheat with a low content of immunogenic gluten epitopes could be an innovative alternative for prevention. In this review, the focus is on literature data concerning the deallergenization tools of wheat, which are mainly related to breeding approaches (classic and advanced) and processing operations (germination and fermentation). Until now, no safe wheat genotype has been identified, whereas decreasing wheat allergenicity is possible. On the other hand, the decrease of gluten or some of its epitopes can strongly affect technological properties. Thus, obtaining celiac‐safe gluten without affecting the technological properties of wheat could be considered as a new challenge that scientists will be facing. Celiac‐safe wheat‐based product development could be a great revolution in the market of foods for special medical purposes. The present paper is aiming to: (a) review the strategies and the approaches used, or that can be used, for developing low allergenic wheat: their utilities and limits were also discussed and (b) screen the impact of gluten reduction or removal on the quality of wheat end‐use products.
Preparation of Acid‐Resistant Microcapsules with Shell‐Matrix Structure to Enhance Stability of Streptococcus Thermophilus IFFI 6038
Authors: Zhou Huan bin , Chen Jiashu , Li Shunyi , Zhang Jianpan , Zhu Chun e , Ran Hao , Luo Meihua , Pan Xin , Hu Haiyan , Wu Chuanbin
Published: July 2017

Microencapsulation is an effective technology used to protect probiotics against harsh conditions. Extrusion is a commonly used microencapsulation method utilized to prepare probiotics microcapsules that is regarded as economical and simple to operate. This research aims to prepare acid‐resistant probiotic microcapsules with high viability after freeze‐drying and optimized storage stability. Streptococcus thermophilus IFFI 6038 (IFFI 6038) cells were mixed with trehalose and alginate to fabricate microcapsules using extrusion. These capsules were subsequently coated with chitosan to obtain chitosan‐trehalose‐alginate microcapsules with shell‐matrix structure. Chitosan‐alginate microcapsules (without trehalose) were also prepared using the same method. The characteristics of the microcapsules were observed by measuring the freeze‐dried viability, acid resistance, and long‐term storage stability of the cells. The viable count of IFFI 6038 in the chitosan‐trehalose‐alginate microcapsules was 8.34 ± 0.30 log CFU g−1 after freeze‐drying (lyophilization), which was nearly 1 log units g−1 greater than the chitosan‐alginate microcapsules. The viability of IFFI 6038 in the chitosan‐trehalose‐alginate microcapsules was 6.45 ± 0.09 log CFU g−1 after 120 min of treatment in simulated gastric juices, while the chitosan‐alginate microcapsules only measured 4.82 ± 0.22 log CFU g−1. The results of the long‐term storage stability assay indicated that the viability of IFFI 6038 in chitosan‐trehalose‐alginate microcapsules was higher than in chitosan‐alginate microcapsules after storage at 25 °C. Trehalose played an important role in the stability of IFFI 6038 during storage. The novel shell‐matrix chitosan‐trehalose‐alginate microcapsules showed optimal stability and acid resistance, demonstrating their potential as a delivery vehicle to transport probiotics.
Effect of Germination and Extrusion on Physicochemical Properties and Nutritional Qualities of Extrudates and Tortilla from Wheat
Authors: Zhu Lijia , Adedeji Akinbode A. , Alavi Sajid
Published: July 2017

Wheat is the most common grain in the temperate region. Modifying its constituent through food processing improves its functionality and nutrient access. In this study, the combined effect of germination and extrusion on physicochemical properties and nutritional qualities of extrudates and tortilla from wheat was evaluated. Results showed that germination significantly increased (P <0.05) the γ‐aminobutyric acid content in germinated whole wheat (GW) and extruded germinated whole wheat (EGW) as compared to the control of whole wheat (WW). Germination also significantly increased the protein content, reducing sugar and total soluble sugar content in GW, while extrusion had much increasing impact on reducing sugar content in extruded samples. Specific mechanical energy during extrusion was reduced as feed moisture content increased from 20 to 30%. Higher extruder screw speed (350 rpm) led to better expansion ratio at low moisture content (20%) as compared to low screw speed (200 rpm). Extrusion significantly increased the starch digestibility but decreased the protein digestibility in extrudates. Tortilla made from 100% WW had about the same physical characteristics, namely color and rollability, with tortilla made from 85% WW with 15% GW, 85% WW with 15% extruded whole wheat (EW), and 85% WW with 15% EGW. Tortilla made from 85% WW with 15% GW showed the largest diameter, thinnest thickness and least extensibility. A 15% extruded germinated wheat (350 rpm) addition in 85% WW showed significant increase of γ‐aminobutyric acid content in tortilla compared to the control (100% WW).
Simultaneous valorization and biocatalytic upgrading of heavy vacuum gas oil by the biosurfactant‐producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa AK6U
Authors: Ismail Wael Ahmed , Mohamed Magdy El‐Said , Awadh Maysoon N. , Obuekwe Christian , El Nayal Ashraf M.
Published: July 2017

Heavy vacuum gas oil (HVGO) is a complex and viscous hydrocarbon stream that is produced as the bottom side product from the vacuum distillation units in petroleum refineries. HVGO is conventionally treated with thermochemical process, which is costly and environmentally polluting. Here, we investigate two petroleum biotechnology applications, namely valorization and bioupgrading, as green approaches for valorization and upgrading of HVGO. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa AK6U strain grew on 20% v/v of HVGO as a sole carbon and sulfur source. It produced rhamnolipid biosurfactants in a growth‐associated mode with a maximum crude biosurfactants yield of 10.1 g l−1, which reduced the surface tension of the cell‐free culture supernatant to 30.6 mN m−1 within 1 week of incubation. The rarely occurring dirhamnolipid Rha–Rha–C12–C12 dominated the congeners’ profile of the biosurfactants produced from HVGO. Heavy vacuum gas oil was recovered from the cultures and abiotic controls and the maltene fraction was extracted for further analysis. Fractional distillation (SimDist) of the biotreated maltene fraction showed a relative decrease in the high‐boiling heavy fuel fraction (BP 426–565 °C) concomitant with increase in the lighter distillate diesel fraction (BP 315–426 °C). Analysis of the maltene fraction revealed compositional changes. The number‐average (Mn) and weight‐average (Mw) molecular weights, as well as the absolute number of hydrocarbons and sulfur heterocycles were higher in the biotreated maltene fraction of HVGO. These findings suggest that HVGO can be potentially exploited as a carbon‐rich substrate for production of the high‐value biosurfactants by P. aeruginosa AK6U and to concomitantly improve/upgrade its chemical composition.
Electro‐fermentation triggering population selection in mixed‐culture glycerol fermentation
Authors: Moscoviz Roman , Trably Eric , Bernet Nicolas
Published: July 2017

Electro‐fermentation is a new technique that could be used to influence the global metabolism in mixed‐culture fermentation.In this study, a mixed‐culture cathodic electro‐fermentation of glycerol was investigated. Both microbial community structure and metabolic patterns were altered when compared to standard fermentation. This microbial population shift was more significant when the working electrodes were pre‐colonized byGeobacter sulfurreducens,before electro‐fermentation. The electro‐fermenting microbial community was more efficient for producing 1,3‐propanediol with an improved yield of 10% when compared with fermentation controls. Such improvement did not require high energy and total electron input represented < 1% of the total electron equivalents provided only by glycerol. A linear model was developed to estimate the individual metabolic pattern of each operational taxonomic unit. Application of this model compared to the experimental results suggests that the changes in global metabolism were supported by bacterial population selection rather than individual metabolism shift. This study shows for the first time that both fermentation pattern and bacterial community composition can be influenced by electro‐fermentation conditions.
Patterns of health services utilization in the last two weeks of life among cancer patients: Experience in an Australian academic cancer center
Authors: Ong Wee Loon , Khor Richard , Bressel Mathias , Tran Phillip , Tedesco Jo , Tai Keen Hun , Ball David , Duchesne Gillian , Foroudi Farshad
Published: July 2017

Aim

To report the trend in end‐of‐life health services (HS) utilization among cancer patients treated in a large Australian academic cancer center over a 12‐year period.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of cancer patients treated at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PMCC), who had documented death between January 2002 and December 2013. Using administrative and billing database, we report on the utilization of different categories of HS within two weeks of death: diagnostic investigations (pathology and radiology), inpatient and outpatient services, and potentially futile interventions (PFI, which include radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery).

Results

Of the 27 926 “active” cancer patients in the study (i.e. those with medical contact at PMCC in the last year of life), 6368 (23%) had documented HS utilization within two weeks of death. 11% and 9% had pathology and radiology investigations respectively, 14% had outpatient clinic appointments, and 7% had hospital admissions. There were 2654 patients (10%) who had PFI within two weeks of death – 2198 (8%) had radiotherapy, 287 (1%) chemotherapy and 267 (1%) surgery. We observed peak HS and PFI utilization in 2004, which then dropped to its lowest in 2009/2010.

Conclusion

Experience in an Australian cancer center suggests approximately one in four “active” cancer patients had HS utilization, and one in ten had PFI, within two weeks of death. The implementation of palliative care guidelines may reduce some of these potentially wasteful and futile interventions.
Combinations of single nucleotide polymorphisms WWOX‐rs13338697, GALNT14‐rs9679162 and rs6025211 effectively stratify outcomes of chemotherapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lin Wey‐Ran , Hsu Chao‐Wei , Yeh Christopher Sung‐Huan , Chen Yi‐Cheng , Chang Ming‐Ling , Liang Kung‐Hao , Lin Chen‐Chun , Chu Yu‐De , Yeh Chau‐Ting
Published: July 2017

Aim

A genome‐wide association study (GWAS) had identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), GALNT14‐rs9679162, capable of predicting chemotherapy responses in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we revisited the GWAS database to search for necessary SNPs that could improve our outcome prediction.

Methods

A cohort of 116 HCC patients receiving split‐dose chemotherapy composed of 5‐fluorouracil, mitoxantrone and cisplatin was enrolled. The GALNT14‐rs9679162 together with four other leading candidate SNPs (rs6025211, rs715171, LOC105369482‐rs1955024 and WWOX‐rs13338697) was genotyped and correlated with time‐to‐tumor progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS).

Results

GALNT14‐rs9679162‐TT genotype remained an effective predictor for favorable TTP and OS (P = 0.012 and 0.002). Additionally, it was found that WWOX‐rs13338697‐CT genotype was associated with unfavorable TTP (P = 0.031), independent of GALNT14‐rs9679162 genotype (adjusted P = 0.045), and rs6025211‐CT genotype was associated with unfavorable OS (P = 0.014), independent of GALNT14‐rs9679162 genotype (adjusted P = 0.025). Combinations of these SNPs stratified patients into three groups with differential treatment outcomes. Patients with GALNT14‐rs9679162‐TT/WWOX‐rs13338697‐non‐CT genotypes achieved the most favorable treatment outcomes (n = 19; median TTP, median OS and response rate were 3.9 months, 6.8 months and 4/19 [21.1%], respectively); whereas patients with GALNT14‐rs9679162‐non‐TT/rs6025211‐CT genotypes associated with the most unfavorable treatment outcomes (n = 40; median TTP, median OS and response rate were 1.9 months, 3.5 months and 1/40 [2.5%], respectively). The remaining patients constituted a third subgroup with intermediate clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

Three genetic variants, GALNT14‐rs9679162, WWOX‐rs13338697 and rs6025211, stratified advanced HCC patients into three groups with differential treatment outcomes.
Maternal intrapartum antibiotic treatment continues to exert a bactericidal effect on the umbilical cord and peripheral venous blood of newborn infants
Authors: Hershkovich–Shporen C , Bardenstein R , Blickstein I , Shinwell E S , Flidel‐Rimon O
Published: July 2017

Aim

It is unclear whether maternal intrapartum antibiotic treatment (IAT) continues to exert a bactericidal effect on common pathogens in neonates. We studied the in vitro bactericidal effect of IAT on the cord and peripheral venous blood of newborn infants.

Methods

Umbilical cord and peripheral venous blood from newborn infants born at Kaplan Medical Center, Israel, from April to October 2014 were studied for serum bactericidal titres against Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains. We studied 60 samples of umbilical cord blood and 18 samples of peripheral venous blood from 60 newborn infants whose mothers received IAT. The controls were 10 samples of cord blood from mothers without IAT.

Results

Cord blood exerted a bactericidal effect against 98% of GBS isolates but only 8% of E.coli isolates. Peripheral blood exerted a bactericidal effect against GBS in 94% of cases, but not against E. coli. No bactericidal effect was seen in the blood from the controls.

Conclusion

We found a continued bactericidal effect of umbilical cord blood and neonatal peripheral blood from newborn infants of IAT‐treated mothers, mainly against GBS, but rarely against E. Coli. These findings may assist clinicians treating at‐risk infants exposed to IAT.
10 Might Community be the Key to Unlocking the Social Potential of Bioarchaeology?
Authors: Meyer William J.
Published: July 2017

From the perspective of social archaeology, it seems bioarchaeology has been slow to recognize its social‐interpretive potential. However, I think that “community” might be the key to unlocking this potential. As an interested outsider, I try here to explain the motivations and priorities of social‐interpretive archaeologies, and to place the papers in this volume within the broader network of anthropological and archaeological theory. I also comment on the issues of boundaries and boundedness, scale, metaphor, and memory, all of which, one might argue, are social topics that have remained just beyond the reach of “traditional” bioarchaeology.
Anthropology Teaming Up With Agrometeorology: Getting University Science to Assist Farmers With Climate Resilience
Authors: Winarto Yunita T. , Stigter C. (Kees) J.
Published: July 2017

In third world countries like Indonesia, higher education is expected to contribute to the development of applied sciences that tackle pressing problems. Adaptation to and mitigation of climate change are such fields. Applied sciences work better in problem solving when approached in an interdisciplinary way.

Winarto and Stigter have decades of experience in applied agricultural sciences but from different main fields: anthropology and physics/(micro)meteorology/(micro)climatology. They provide a welcome complementarity in their dialogue‐based interactions with farmers on how climate change has necessitated livelihood/resilience changes for them. They developed and established climatological services for farmers, consisting of seven initial climate services for agriculture, bringing farmers closer to their ecosystems that are currently threatened by climate change.

They established what they call “agrometeorological learning,” which is about changes of beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and goals of farmers due to new meteorological and climatologic knowledge they acquire, which considerably help increase farmers resiliencies.
Restoration of peatland by spontaneous revegetation after road construction
Authors: Johansen Marte Dalen , Aker Pernille , Klanderud Kari , Olsen Siri Lie , Skrindo Astrid Brekke
Published: July 2017

Questions

Spontaneous revegetation from indigenous soil was used as a restoration method for peatlands degraded during road construction in northern Norway. We examined how plant community properties responded to the restoration, and which environmental factors affected the restoration success.

Location

Restored peatlands along roadsides at E10, mainland connection to the Lofoten islands, northern Norway.

Methods

The restored area originally consisted of poor to intermediate Sphagnum‐dominated natural peatlands. Restoration consisted of stripping and stockpiling the topmost (30 cm) peat. The peat was stored for 1–2 yr before redistribution, with no further hydrological management. We conducted first time analyses of plant community properties 8 and 9 yr after restoration. We recorded vegetation and environmental variables in 108 plots distributed between 18 transects running from the road edge over the restored area to the undisturbed peatland. Undisturbed peatland was used as target for successful restoration. We used CCA and ANOVA to test the effect of restoration on species composition and richness.

Results

The ordination showed that species composition still differed significantly between restored and undisturbed plots, indicating incomplete restoration after 8 and 9 yr. Soil moisture, pH, slope and microtopography were the most important environmental factors for species composition. Polytrichum mosses had a high percentage cover in restored (30%) compared to undisturbed control plots (1%). Linear regression showed that peatland species decreased in abundance with increasing depth of Polytrichum cushions.

Conclusion

The low soil moisture level in the restored areas is most likely limiting the establishment of Sphagnum mosses, considered as key species of the typical peatland environment. Thus, the restoration method studied here must be improved to increase the soil moisture by raising the water table or reducing drainage. This should be done through reducing storage time of the peat before redistribution, and minimizing slopes and heterogeneity of the microtopography of the restored area.
Contribution of medications and risk factors to QTc interval lengthening in the atherosclerosis risk in communities (ARIC) study
Authors: Alburikan Khalid A. , Aldemerdash Ahmed , Savitz Samuel T. , Tisdale James E. , Whitsel Eric A. , Soliman Elsayed Z. , Thudium Emily M. , Sueta Carla A. , Kucharska‐Newton Anna M. , Stearns Sally C. , Rodgers Jo E.
Published: July 2017

Rationale, aims, and objectives

Prolongation of the corrected QT (QTc) interval is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The association between QTc interval–prolonging medications (QTPMs) and risk factors with magnitude of QTc interval lengthening is unknown. We examined the contribution of risk factors alone and in combination with QTPMs to QTc interval lengthening.

Method

The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study assessed 15 792 participants with a resting, standard 12‐lead electrocardiogram and ≥1 measure of QTc interval over 4 examinations at 3‐year intervals (1987‐1998). From 54 638 person‐visits, we excluded participants with QRS ≥ 120 milliseconds (n = 2333 person‐visits). We corrected the QT interval using the Bazett and Framingham formulas. We examined QTc lengthening using linear regression for 36 602 person‐visit observations for 14 160 cohort members controlling for age ≥ 65 years, female sex, left ventricular hypertrophy, QTc > 500 milliseconds at the prior visit, and CredibleMeds categorized QTPMs (Known, Possible, or Conditional risk). We corrected standard errors for repeat observations per person.

Results

Eighty percent of person‐visits had at least one risk factor for QTc lengthening. Use of QTPMs increased over the 4 visits from 8% to 17%. Among persons not using QTPMs, history of prolonged QTc interval and female sex were associated with the greatest QTc lengthening, 39 and 12 milliseconds, respectively. In the absence of risk factors, Known QTPMs and ≥2 QTPMs were associated with modest but greater QTc lengthening than Possible or Conditional QTPMs. In the presence of risk factors, ≥2 QTPM further increased QTc lengthening. In combination with risk factors, the association of all QTPM categories with QTc lengthening was greater than QTPMs alone.

Conclusion

Risk factors, particularly female sex and history of prolonged QTc interval, have stronger associations with QTc interval lengthening than any QTPM category alone. All QTPM categories augmented QTc interval lengthening associated with risk factors.
Hearing and Seeing Tone Through Color: An Efficacy Study of Web‐Based, Multimodal Chinese Tone Perception Training
Authors: Godfroid Aline , Lin Chin‐Hsi , Ryu Catherine
Published: July 2017

Multimodal approaches have been shown to be effective for many learning tasks. In this study, we compared the effectiveness of five multimodal methods for second language (L2) Mandarin tone perception training: three single‐cue methods (number, pitch contour, color) and two dual‐cue methods (color and number, color and pitch contour). A total of 303 true novice learners of L2 Mandarin (native speakers of English) completed a 3‐week online training program. Results from pretests as well as immediate and delayed posttests indicated that multimodal training aided L2 learners’ tone perception, with a small, practical advantage for pitch contours and numbers over color coding. Dual‐cue methods did not yield better learning than single‐cue training. Thus, the additive benefits of multimodal input (i.e., auditory and visual) did not extend to instruction featuring doubled visual input (i.e., visual and visual). We argue for embedding color in visuals in a way that helps make abstract information concrete.