bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shelf Life of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Its Prediction Models
Authors: Li Xueqi , Wang Selina C.
Published: January 2018

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), with high unsaturation degree (oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid), is prone to oxidation during production and storage even with the presence of abundant antioxidants (e.g., phenolic compounds, alpha-tocopherol, and chlorophyll). The level of oxidation degradation is greatly affected by the EVOO chemical composition (free fatty acids, saturated and unsaturated fat ratio, total phenol content, etc.) and storage conditions (packaging material, oxygen, temperature, and light). With the increasing demand on qualitative acceptability and food safety of an EVOO product, consumers rely heavily on “shelf life” as a good indicator. Hence, it is critical for olive oil producers to provide accurate and practical information on shelf-life prediction. This review analyzes ten shelf-life prediction models that used various parameters and approaches for model establishment. Due to the complexity of chemical interactions between oil phase and environment under real-time storage and rapid accelerated testing conditions, further investigation is needed to scrutinize and minimize the discrepancies between real-time shelf life and predicted shelf life of EVOO products.
Using Infrared Radiation in a Radiant Wall Oven for Blanching Small-Sized Peanuts
Authors: Smith Catherine , Adhikari Koushik , Singh Rakesh K.
Published: January 2018

The main objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of infrared technology for blanching small-sized peanuts. A radiant wall oven was used for infrared blanching. Infrared treatments included 343°C for 60 s and 288°C for 90 s. High and low moisture groups with approximate moisture content of 9% and 6% were used. An impingement oven set at 100°C for 20 min was used as the control treatment. No treatment differed from control in terms of blanchability. A descriptive sensory shelf life study of six weeks found no evidence of oxidative changes in experimental treatments. The infrared blanched peanuts were roasted using an impingement oven set to 177°C for 10 min for a consumer acceptability test. Conventionally blanched peanuts roasted under the same parameters were used as a control. The consumer panel found the peanuts blanched by infrared radiation at 343°C for 60 s to be the most likeable roasted IR sample and did not differ from control. IR heating is a viable and quicker alternative to blanch small-sized peanut varieties with minimal effects on quality including sensory properties.
The Comparison of Regional RNFL and Fundus Vasculature by OCTA in Chinese Myopia Population
Authors: Li Yuanjun , Miara Hamza , Ouyang Pingbo , Jiang Bing
Published: January 2018

Purpose. To determine the correlations between peripapillary vessel density, retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness, and myopic indices at retina quadrants with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in Chinese. Methods. Fifty-six subjects with a mean spherical equivalent (MSE) of −3.63 ± 0.29 D were included. Peripapillary RNFL thickness and retinal vessel density in four sectors (superior, nasal, inferior, and temporal quadrants) were determined by OCTA, and correlations of the main outcomes were analyzed. Results. Negative correlations were found between the peripapillary RNFL thickness and axial length (AL) at superior (r=−0.335, P=0.001) and inferior (r=−0.551, P<0.001) quadrants. There was a significant positive correlation with spherical equivalent (SE) at the corresponding quadrants as well as at the nasal quadrant (r=0.339, P=0.001; r=0.379, P<0.001; and r=0.209, P=0.039, resp.). Peripapillary retinal vessel density was also negatively correlated with AL at the nasal quadrant (r=−0.392, P<0.001), and only at the nasal quadrant, there was a positive correlation between the peripapillary vessel density and SE (r=0.319, P=0.001). Conclusions. The degree of myopia and elongation of AL were negatively correlated with peripapillary RNFL thickness at superior and inferior quadrants and with peripapillary retinal vessel density at the nasal quadrant.
Feature Genes Selection Using Supervised Locally Linear Embedding and Correlation Coefficient for Microarray Classification
Authors: Xu Jiucheng , Mu Huiyu , Wang Yun , Huang Fangzhou
Published: January 2018

The selection of feature genes with high recognition ability from the gene expression profiles has gained great significance in biology. However, most of the existing methods have a high time complexity and poor classification performance. Motivated by this, an effective feature selection method, called supervised locally linear embedding and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (SLLE-SC2), is proposed which is based on the concept of locally linear embedding and correlation coefficient algorithms. Supervised locally linear embedding takes into account class label information and improves the classification performance. Furthermore, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient is used to remove the coexpression genes. The experiment results obtained on four public tumor microarray datasets illustrate that our method is valid and feasible.
Xiaoqinglong Decoction Attenuates Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Rats via Inhibition of Autophagy
Authors: Wang Huanan , Mao Bing , Chen Chang
Published: January 2018

Effective treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and knowledge of the underlying mechanism are urgently required. Xiaoqinglong decoction (XQL) is widely used to treat COPD in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that XQL ameliorates COPD via inhibition of autophagy in lung tissue on a rat model. Rats were divided into five groups, namely, Control group, COPD group, COPD + XQL group, COPD + Rapamycin group, and COPD + XQL + Rapamycin group. Pathological changes on cellular and molecular levels, apoptosis reflected by TdT‐mediated dUTP Nick‐End Labeling (TUNEL) assay, and autophagy represented by LC3II/LC3I ratio and p62 level were investigated for each group. Compared with the Control group, COPD rats exhibited structural changes and activated inflammation in the lung tissue, together with enhanced apoptosis and elevated autophagy biomarkers. XQL treatment significantly ameliorated these changes, while rapamycin augmented them. These data altogether confirmed the involvement of autophagy in the pathogenesis of COPD and suggested that XQL attenuates COPD via inhibition of autophagy.
Detecting Early Warning Signal of Influenza A Disease Using Sample-Specific Dynamical Network Biomarkers
Authors: Zhu Shanshan , Gao Jie , Ding Tao , Xu Junhua , Wu Min
Published: January 2018

Aims/Introduction. Evidences have shown that the deteriorated procession of disease is not a smooth change with time and conditions, in which a critical transition point denoted as predisease state drives the state from normal to disease. Considering individual differences, this paper provides a sample-specific method that constructs an index with individual-specific dynamical network biomarkers (DNB) which are defined as early warning index (EWI) for detecting predisease state of individual sample. Based on microarray data of influenza A disease, 144 genes are selected as DNB and the 7th time period is defined as predisease state. In addition, according to functional analysis of the discovered DNB, it is relevant with experience data, which can illustrate the effectiveness of our sample-specific method.
Acute Effects of Tai Chi Training on Cognitive and Cardiovascular Responses in Late Middle‐Aged Adults: A Pilot Study
Authors: Cheung Tiffany C. Y. , Liu Karen P. Y. , Wong Janet Y. H. , Bae Young-Hyeon , Hui Stanley Sai-Chuen , Tsang William W. N. , Cheng Yoyo T. Y. , Fong Shirley S. M.
Published: January 2018

This study explored the immediate effects of Tai Chi (TC) training on attention and meditation, perceived stress level, heart rate, oxygen saturation level in blood, and palmar skin temperature in late middle‐aged adults. Twenty TC practitioners and 20 nonpractitioners volunteered to join the study. After baseline measurements were taken, the TC group performed TC for 10 minutes while their cognitive states and cardiovascular responses were concurrently monitored. The control group rested for the same duration in a standing position. Both groups were then reassessed. The participants’ attention and meditation levels were measured using electroencephalography; stress levels were measured using Perceived Stress Scale; heart rate and blood oxygenation were measured using an oximeter; and palmar skin temperature was measured using an infrared thermometer. Attention level tended to increase during TC and dropped immediately thereafter (p < 0.001). Perceived stress level decreased from baseline to posttest in exclusively the TC group (p = 0.005). Heart rate increased during TC (p < 0.001) and decreased thereafter (p = 0.001). No significant group, time, or group‐by‐time interaction effects were found in the meditation level, palmar skin temperature, and blood oxygenation outcomes. While a 10‐minute TC training could temporarily improve attention and decrease perceived stress levels, it could not improve meditation, palmar skin temperature, or blood oxygenation among late middle‐aged adults.
Oil Palm Phenolics Inhibit theIn VitroAggregation ofβ-Amyloid Peptide into Oligomeric Complexes
Authors: Weinberg Robert P. , Koledova Vera V. , Shin Hyeari , Park Jennifer H. , Tan Yew Ai , Sinskey Anthony J. , Sambanthamurthi Ravigadevi , Rha ChoKyun
Published: January 2018

Alzheimer’s disease is a severe neurodegenerative disease characterized by the aggregation of amyloid-βpeptide (Aβ) into toxic oligomers which activate microglia and astrocytes causing acute neuroinflammation. Multiple studies show that the soluble oligomers of Aβ42 are neurotoxic and proinflammatory, whereas the monomers and insoluble fibrils are relatively nontoxic. We show that Aβ42 aggregation is inhibitedin vitroby oil palm phenolics (OPP), an aqueous extract from the oil palm tree(Elaeis guineensis). The data shows that OPP inhibits stacking ofβ-pleated sheets, which is essential for oligomerization. We demonstrate the inhibition of Aβ42 aggregation by (1) mass spectrometry; (2) Congo Red dye binding; (3) 2D-IR spectroscopy; (4) dynamic light scattering; (5) transmission electron microscopy; and (6) transgenic yeast rescue assay. In the yeast rescue assay, OPP significantly reduces the cytotoxicity of aggregating neuropeptides in yeast genetically engineered to overexpress these peptides. The data shows that OPP inhibits (1) the aggregation of Aβinto oligomers; (2) stacking ofβ-pleated sheets; and (3) fibrillar growth and coalescence. These inhibitory effects prevent the formation of neurotoxic oligomers and hold potential as a means to reduce neuroinflammation and neuronal death and thereby may play some role in the prevention or treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Genome-Wide Gene Expression Changes in the Normal-Appearing Airway during the Evolution of Smoking-Associated Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kantrowitz Jacob , Sinjab Ansam , Xu Li , McDowell Tina L. , Sivakumar Smruthy , Lang Wenhua , Nunomura-Nakamura Sayuri , Fukuoka Junya , Nemer Georges , Darwiche Nadine , Chami Hassan , Tfayli Arafat , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Scheet Paul , Fujimoto Junya , Spira Avrum E. , Kadara Humam
Published: January 2018

Smoking perpetuates in cytologically normal airways a molecular “field of injury” that is pertinent to lung cancer and early detection. The evolution of airway field changes prior to lung oncogenesis is poorly understood largely due to the long latency of lung cancer in smokers. Here, we studied airway expression changes prior to lung cancer onset in mice with knockout of the Gprc5a gene (Gprc5a−/−) and tobacco carcinogen (NNK) exposure and that develop the most common type of lung cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, within 6 months following exposure. Airway epithelial brushings were collected from Gprc5a−/− mice before exposure and at multiple times post-NNK until time of lung adenocarcinoma development and then analyzed by RNA sequencing. Temporal airway profiles were identified by linear models and analyzed by comparative genomics in normal airways of human smokers with and without lung cancer. We identified significantly altered profiles (n = 926) in the NNK-exposed mouse normal airways relative to baseline epithelia, a subset of which were concordantly modulated with smoking status in the human airway. Among airway profiles that were significantly modulated following NNK, we found that expression changes (n = 22) occurring as early as 2 months following exposure were significantly associated with lung cancer status when examined in airways of human smokers. Furthermore, a subset of a recently reported human bronchial gene classifier (Percepta; n = 56) was enriched in the temporal mouse airway profiles. We underscore evolutionarily conserved profiles in the normal-appearing airway that develop prior to lung oncogenesis and that comprise viable markers for early lung cancer detection in suspect smokers. Cancer Prev Res; 11(4); 237–48. ©2018 AACR.
A Clinical Observation of Thymic Epithelial Tumor Metastatic to Breast
Authors: Deng Yu-Wei , Li Yi-Wen , Hao Wen-Jing , Lu Dan
Published: January 2018

Background: Thymic carcinoma is prone to early metastasis and invasion, while its metastasis to the breast is particularly unique. Case Report: We describe a case of thymic epithelial tumor metastatic to the breast fulfilling clinical diagnostic criteria. A 47-year-old female patient diagnosed with stage IV thymic carcinoma and previously treated with chemoradiation was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer during a periodic review. Color Doppler ultrasonography showed a low-echo real occupancy in the breast. Pathological examination of the breast mass confirmed the diagnosis of thymic carcinoma metastasis. Conclusion: Hematogenous metastasis of thymic carcinoma to the breast is rare but not exceptional, and long-term survival can be expected with appropriate treatment.
Central-Variant Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome with Albuminocytologic Dissociation
Authors: Lee Sang-Woo , Lee Seung-Jae
Published: January 2018

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a disorder of reversible vasogenic brain edema which mainly involves the parieto-occipital lobes in various clinical settings. The main mechanism is known to be cerebral autoregulation failure and endothelial dysfunction leading to the disruption of the blood-brain barrier. We report the case of a 47-year-old woman with PRES which involved the brain stem and thalami, sparing the cerebral hemispheres. She was admitted to the emergency room because of acute-onset confusion. Her initial blood pressure was 270/220 mm Hg. Routine blood lab tests showed pleocytosis, hyperglycemia, and azotemia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a lesion of vasogenic edema involving nearly the whole area of pons, the left side of the midbrain, and the bilateral medial thalami. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination revealed an increased level of protein with normal white blood cell count. With conservative care, the patient markedly recovered 3 days after symptom onset, and a follow-up MRI confirmed complete resolution of the vasogenic edema. This case suggests that PRES can rarely involve the “central zone” only, sparing the cerebral hemispheres, which may be confused with other neurological diseases. Besides, the CSF albuminocytologic dissociation may suggest the disruption of the blood-brain barrier in patients with PRES.
Endothelial GPR124 Exaggerates the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis by Activating Inflammation
Authors: Gong Dong-Mei , Zhang Yan-Li , Chen Dan-Yang , Hong Ling-Juan , Han Feng , Liu Qi-Bing , Jiang Jian-Jun , Lu Ying-Mei
Published: January 2018

Background/Aims: Endothelial cell dysfunction is the principal pathological process underlying atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. G protein-coupled receptor 124 (GPR124), an orphan receptor in the adhesion GPCR subfamily, promotes angiogenesis in the brain. In the present study, we explored the role of endothelial GPR124 in the development and progression of atherosclerosis in adult mice. Methods: Using tetracycline-inducible transgenic systems, we generated mice expressing GPR124 specifically under control of the Tie-2 promoter. The animal model of atherosclerosis was constructed by intravenously injecting AAV-PCSK9DY into tetracycline-regulated mice and feeding the mice a high-fat diet for 16 consecutive weeks. Biochemical analysis and immunohistochemistry methods were used to address the role and mechanism of GPR124 in the pathological process of atherosclerosis. Results: Higher TC (total cholesterol) and LDL-C (low density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels in serum and greater lipid deposition in the aortic sinus were found in atherosclerotic mice with GPR124 overexpression, coincident with the elevated proliferation of smooth muscle cells. We observed an elevation of ONOO- in the aortic sinus in this model by using immunofluorescence, and the experiments showed that the specific overexpression of GPR124 in the endothelium induced the up-regulation of CD68, NLRP3 and caspase-1 levels in the aortic sinus. Conclusion: The above results indicate that manipulating GPR124 in the endothelium may contribute to delayed pathological progression of atherosclerosis.
Water choice as a counterstrategy to faecally transmitted disease: an experimental study in captive lemurs
Authors: Amoroso Caroline R. , Frink Alexa G. , Nunn Charles L.
Published: January 2018

Many parasites and pathogens are transmitted via water, including through faecal contamination of water sources. Yet water is essential for survival, and some species gain nutritional and other benefits from coprophagy. We investigated how primates balance the risks of faecal pathogen transmission with potential benefits of faeces ingestion in their selection of water sources by conducting behavioural experiments with five species of lemurs (Family Lemuridae) in captivity. Subjects were given a choice between clean water and water ‘contaminated’ with disinfected faecal material, which contained cues associated with faecally transmitted parasites, but minimal risk. We found that lemurs exhibited strong preferences for the clean water. This pattern was supported even at low levels of faecal contamination and in species adapted to water-limited habitats, for which choosiness about water quality could present a dehydration risk. Our results strongly support the hypothesis that avoiding faecal contamination is important in water selection.
A new species of Chrysozephyrus associated with Lithocarpus corneus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclini)
Authors: HSU YU-FENG
Published: January 2018

Chrysozephyrus laoshanensis, sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Cenwanglaoshan in the western part of Guangxi Province, China and Ha Giang Province of Vietnam. The new species is associated with Lithocarpus corneus, which has not previously been recognized as a hostplant for Theclini or any lepidopterous specialist feeder. The valva and brachia of the new species are distinct from all known members of Chrysozephyrus.
From the depths: Heterocaucaseuma deprofundum sp. nov., the world's deepest-occurring millipede (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Anthroleucosomatidae) from caves in the western Caucasus
Authors: ANTIĆ DRAGAN Ž. , TURBANOV ILYA S. , REBOLEIRA ANA SOFIA P.S.
Published: January 2018

We describe a new anthroleucosomatid millipede, Heterocaucaseuma deprofundum sp. nov., found in the second and third deepest caves of our planet, Krubera-Voronja and Sarma, in Abkhazia, western Caucasus. A brief discussion on its taxonomy and relationships within the Caucaseuma complex and genus Heterocaucaseuma is provided, together with new faunistic records on other three species of Heterocaucaseuma. Notes on the distribution and troglomorphy of the genus Heterocaucaseuma are added. Ecological information and data on the subterranean community of the Krubera-Voronja Cave are updated. We also discuss the vertical distribution of the new species in caves and the presence of an ectoparasitic fungi of the order Laboulbeniales. This new species is currently the world's deepest-occurring millipede, also representing one of the largest known chordeumatidans.
Submesoscale Processes at Shallow Salinity Fronts in the Bay of Bengal: Observations during the Winter Monsoon
Authors: Ramachandran Sanjiv , Tandon Amit , Mackinnon Jennifer , Lucas Andrew J. , Pinkel Robert , Waterhouse Amy F. , Nash Jonathan , Shroyer Emily , Mahadevan Amala , Weller Robert A. , Farrar J. Thomas
Published: January 2018

Lateral submesoscale processes and their influence on vertical stratification at shallow salinity fronts in the central Bay of Bengal during the winter monsoon are explored using high-resolution data from a cruise in November 2013. The observations are from a radiator survey centered at a salinity-controlled density front, embedded in a zone of moderate mesoscale strain (0.15 times the Coriolis parameter) and forced by winds with a downfront orientation. Below a thin mixed layer, often ≤10 m, the analysis shows several dynamical signatures indicative of submesoscale processes: (i) negative Ertel potential vorticity (PV); (ii) low-PV anomalies with O(1–10) km lateral extent, where the vorticity estimated on isopycnals and the isopycnal thickness are tightly coupled, varying in lockstep to yield low PV; (iii) flow conditions susceptible to forced symmetric instability (FSI) or bearing the imprint of earlier FSI events; (iv) negative lateral gradients in the absolute momentum field (inertial instability); and (v) strong contribution from differential sheared advection at O(1) km scales to the growth rate of the depth-averaged stratification. The findings here show one-dimensional vertical processes alone cannot explain the vertical stratification and its lateral variability over O(1–10) km scales at the radiator survey.
Latino Nativity Variations Link to Street Violence in Drug Markets
Authors: Cho Jung Y.
Published: January 2018

The Latino paradox is defined as “Latinos do[ing] much better on various social indicators, including violence, than blacks and apparently even whites, given relatively high levels of disadvantage.” We do not know, however, if the Latino paradox is masquerading what is known as criminal social capital. This study defined geographic drug markets with drug sales crime data in Philadelphia. Multilevel negative binomial models showed census block group street violence levels varied significantly across drug markets. Although each additional 100 native-born Latinos was associated with expected street violent crime counts 8% lower, each additional 100 foreign-born Latinos was associated with expected street violent crime counts 28% lower, controlling for nearby street violence and structural predictors.
Which groups fight? Customary institutions and communal conflicts in Africa
Authors: Wig Tore , Kromrey Daniela
Published: January 2018

Why are some ethnic groups embroiled in communal conflicts while others are comparably peaceful? We explore the group-specific correlates of communal conflicts in Africa by utilizing a novel dataset combining ethnographic information on group characteristics with conflict data. Specifically, we investigate whether features of the customary political institutions of ethnic groups matter for their communal-conflict involvement. We show how institutional explanations for conflict, developed to explain state-based wars, can be successfully applied to the customary institutions of ethnic groups. We argue that customary institutions can pacify through facilitating credible nonviolent bargaining. Studying 143 ethnic groups, we provide large-N evidence for such an ‘ethnic civil peace’, showing that groups with a higher number of formalized customary institutions, like houses of chiefs, courts and legislatures, are less prone to communal conflict, both internally and with other groups. We also find some evidence, although slightly weaker, that groups with more inclusive or ‘democratic’ customary institutions are less prone to communal conflicts.
Perceptions of the Legal System and Recidivism: Investigating the Mediating Role of Perceptions of Chances for Success in Juvenile Offenders
Authors: Abate Anna , Venta Amanda
Published: January 2018

Using a sample of serious juvenile offenders, the current study examined relations between perceptions of the legal system and recidivism, exploring the roles of perceptions of chances for success as a mediator and race/ethnicity as a moderator. The results indicate that in Black and Hispanic juvenile offenders, but not White, perceptions of chances for success mediates the relation between perceptions of the legal system and recidivism. The current study offers support for the notion that interventions aimed at preventing youth from engaging in illegal behaviors may need to be tailored to target racial/ethnic-specific attitudes and foster beliefs in racial/ethnic minority youth that they are capable of future success.
‘Make in India’ Campaign: Labour Law Reform Strategy and Its Impact on Job Creation Opportunities in India
Authors: Karani Anushree , Panda Rasananda
Published: January 2018

The need of employment generation has never been more pressing than now when youth is occupying larger share in the pie of demographic profile of the country. There are several employment challenges such as adequate skill requirement and large-scale employment generation, flexibility of employer to cope up with turbulent global manufacturing environment and social security programme to cater to the need of employees. Development of manufacturing sector is always at the centre irrespective of NDA (National Democratic Alliance) led government or UPA (United Progressive Alliance) led government. To create jobs for the manufacturing sector is always a challenging task. This article throws some light on the manufacturing employment scenario in the pre-reform and post-reform era. This article also tries to explore the impact of recent proposed labour law reforms on the job creation opportunities. It follows exploratory—secondary data—research design. The scope of this research is limited to two major laws, namely, Factories Act, 1948 and Apprenticeship Act, 1961, and other law reforms in the country. With the support of the recent 26th Quarterly Employment Survey by labour ministry and the analysis of the labour law reforms, this article leads to the conclusion that these reforms have not had any significant impact on the job creation opportunities.
Share if you care
Authors: Najjar Mohammad S , Dahabiyeh Laila , Nawayseh Mohammad
Published: January 2018

Although the performance of Humanitarian Supply Chain (HSC) receives considerable attention in current literature, measuring HSC performance remains challenging. HSC performance depends largely on the ability to meet the needs of the sufferers which contradicts with current performance measures that focus on input metrics such as donations and expenditures rather than output metrics. In this paper, we address this gap in the literature by examining refugee service performance as perceived by refugees themselves. We examine the impact of information sharing and information quality on HSC service performance. We further draw on social capital theory to investigate how the dimensions of social capital influence information sharing and information quality. Data collected from 276 refugees in Zaatari camp in Jordan provide support for our proposed model. Our paper makes two contributions. First, we extend current literature on HSC performance by examining the impact of information sharing and the quality of the information shared on the beneficiaries’ perception of HSC performance. We therefore focus on output metrics rather than input metrics. Second, we apply a social capital theoretical lens to investigate how social ties and relations influence information sharing and information quality in HSC. We also offer theoretical and practical implications for academics and stakeholders in the field of HSC.
The acceptance and use of electronic information resources among faculty of selected Gulf Cooperation Council States universities
Authors: Alajmi Mohammad A
Published: January 2018

This study aims to explain the factors affecting academic faculty’s acceptance and usage of university library electronic information resources (EIRs) services in six public universities in the Gulf Cooperation Council States (GCCS). The applied model was tested via structural equation modeling (SEM) by using valid data collected from 499 responses to the questionnaire survey. The findings indicate that performance expectancy, habit, hedonic motivation, and facilitating conditions were significant antecedents of behavioral intention, and that performance expectancy, habit, and behavioral intention were significant antecedents of user behavior. The influence of the individual characteristics as moderators varied based on the path. While much of the research on the adoption of EIRs services provides a rich understanding of behavioral intention and system use, the current study enhances library professionals’ understanding by incorporating further antecedents that can be used to guide approaches to enhancing EIRs services. Several important implications for researchers (i.e. extending the acceptance models with new interventions) and practitioners (i.e. guiding approaches to the enhancement of EIRs services) are discussed.
Knowledge of an inflammatory biomarker of cardiovascular risk leads to biomarker-based decreased risk in pre-diabetic and diabetic patients
Authors: Alcivar-Franco Diego , Purvis Scott , Penn Marc S. , Klemes Andrea
Published: January 2018

Objective

Diabetes is a risk equivalent for cardiovascular events. The increase in vascular inflammation with diabetes is believed to be responsible for increased risk of ischemic events in diabetic patients. Our goal was to assess whether knowledge of vascular inflammation alters cardiovascular risk over time, and how knowledge of vascular inflammation changes risk in non-diabetic, pre-diabetic and diabetic patients.

Methods

We retrospectively studied >100,000 primary-care patients per annum for 5 years (baseline in 2011 through 2015) with tests including lipoprotein profile, hemoglobin A1C and the vascular-specific inflammation risk marker myeloperoxidase. Results were obtained during the patient’s MD Value In Prevention (MDVIP) annual wellness program physical.

Results

We show that rates of patients with elevated myeloperoxidase levels were reduced from 14.4%, 15.2% and 21.3% to 4.0%, 4.0% and 6.7% in non-diabetic, pre-diabetic and diabetic patients, respectively, over the 5-year period. Decreases in vascular inflammation were achieved without decreases in the prevalence of pre-diabetes (hemoglobin A1C 5.7%–6.4%) or diabetes (hemoglobin A1C >6.4%) and were observed in patients below or above guideline low-density lipoprotein targets.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that physicians informed of elevated markers of vascular inflammation can lower vascular inflammation correlating with biomarker-based decreased risk of cardiovascular events.
Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Outcomes in Younger Patients: Medial Meniscal Pathology and High Rates of Return to Sport Are Associated With Third ACL Injuries
Authors: Webster Kate E. , Feller Julian A. , Kimp Alexander J. , Whitehead Timothy S.
Published: January 2018

Background:

There are limited data evaluating the outcomes of revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery in younger patients despite recent reports that the rates of graft rupture are higher in young cohorts.

Purpose:

To explore the outcomes of revision ACL reconstruction surgery in younger patients with the specific aims of determining the rates of third ACL injury and whether knee pathology at the time of revision surgery and return to sport were associated with further injury.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

The study cohort consisted of 151 consecutive patients who were aged 25 years or younger at the time of their first revision ACL reconstruction. The number of subsequent ACL injuries (graft rerupture or contralateral injury to the native ACL) was determined at a mean follow-up time of 4.5 years (range, 2-9 years). Surgical details were recorded, along with a range of sport participation outcomes. Contingency tables were used to assess the associations between subsequent ACL injury and return to sport, knee pathology, and the drilling of new femoral or tibial tunnels at revision surgery.

Results:

The follow-up rate was 85% (128/151). Graft reruptures occurred in 20 patients (16%) at a mean time of 2 years after revision surgery. Contralateral ACL injuries occurred in 15 patients (12%) at a mean time of 3.9 years. The total number of patients who had a third ACL injury was 35 (27%). There was a significant association between having medial meniscal pathology and sustaining a graft rerupture ( P = .03), but there was no association between graft rerupture and using the same tunnels from the primary procedure at revision surgery. After revision reconstruction, 68% of patients (95% CI, 55%-71%) returned to their preinjury level of sport, compared with 83% (95% CI, 69%-84%) after primary reconstruction in the same patients. Those who had a third ACL injury had a significantly higher rate of return to preinjury sport (83%) after the revision procedure than did the group that did not have further ACL injuries (62%, P = .02).

Conclusion:

Younger patients are at significant risk of having multiple ACL injuries. The high rate of third ACL injuries presents a significant issue for future knee health in these young athletes. Medial meniscal pathology and returning to high-risk sport are factors that are significantly associated with the high multiple ACL injury rate in the young.
Using New Case Studies for Evaluation of Marketing Student’s Academic Performance
Authors: Mukherjee Jaydeep
Published: January 2018

Case method has been a popular pedagogy in management education. It is a preferred evaluation tool which is inherently subjective in nature. This article compares the results of case-based evaluation in marketing discipline, in announced and unannounced settings, for full-time and part-time management programmes and discusses its implications. The data were collected from the formal evaluation made by a faculty of an Association of MBAs (AMBA) accredited management institute of India.

The results suggests that for full-time residential MBA programmes, use of relative marks for grading each component of the evaluation is likely to be a more robust evaluation mechanism than using just the marks or using the consolidated marks for final grading. However, neither surprise quiz nor announced quiz provide any robust and unbiased method of evaluating the performance of the students of part-time non-residential MBA programme as the result are also dependent on variables like work and family, which are extraneous to the student’s interest and proficiency in the subject.
Influence of Cultural Factors on Impulse Buying Tendency: A Study of Indian Consumers
Authors: Ali Saiyed Wajid , Sudan Swati
Published: January 2018

Products bought on impulse occupy a significant share in the customers’ basket and with new formats of retail increasing exposure to in-store stimuli, this trend is on the upswing. However, as the number of retail stores increases, it becomes imperative for the marketer to understand the customers and what drives their choices. Literature review reveals that culture is an important variable driving consumer behaviour. Thus, the present study was conducted to determine whether individual cultural values can influence consumers’ impulse buying tendencies among Indian consumers. The factors that were under investigation in this study were power distance (PD), uncertainty avoidance (UA), collectivism (Coll), masculinity (Mas) and long-term orientation (LTO). Primary data for the study, collected by means of questionnaires filled by 724 Indian consumers, was analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and multiple linear regression. The results indicated that PD, LTO and Mas influence individuals’ affective impulse buying tendency (AIBT), whereas UA and LTO were found to be significantly related to cognitive impulse buying tendency (CIBT). The findings of the study will enhance the understanding of marketers regarding how to influence consumers to buy impulsively in order to drive sales and increase market share through appropriate marketing strategies.
The consequences of membership incentives: Do greater political benefits attract different kinds of members?
Authors: Achury Susan , Scarrow Susan E , Kosiara-Pedersen Karina , van Haute Emilie
Published: January 2018

In recent decades, parties in many parliamentary democracies have radically reshaped what it means to be a party member, making it easier and cheaper to join, and giving members greater direct say over party decisions. This article explores some implications of such changes, asking whether membership costs and benefits influence which supporters take the step of joining their party. In particular, it considers the impact of net membership benefits on membership demographics and on members’ ideology. The investigation examines patterns of party membership in 10 parliamentary democracies, using opinion data from the European Social Survey and data on party rules from the Political Party Database project. Our analysis shows that party supporters are more sensitive to political benefits than to financial costs, especially in terms of the ideological incongruence of who joins. As a result, parties offering higher benefits to their members have lower ideological and demographic disparities between members and other party supporters. This is a positive finding for party-based representation, in that it suggests that trends toward more inclusive decision-making processes have the potential to produce parties with memberships that are more substantively and more descriptively representative of their supporters.
More wealth, less leisure? Effect of housing wealth on tourism expenditure in China
Authors: Zhang Chuanyong , Feng Guoliang
Published: January 2018

Elastic consumption is determined by both the income and wealth effect. However, few studies shed light into the effect of illiquid wealth. In this study, we explore this question by examining the effect of housing wealth on one particular consumption of high elastic, tourism expenditure, in China. By using data from China Family Panel Studies in 2010 and 2012, we find that the change in house prices has a positive and significant effect on tourism expenditure. Particularly, by controlling the income effect, we find that for every 1% increase in house prices, tourism expenditure grew by 0.4%. Moreover, we investigate the crowding out effect of mortgage payments and find that the change in the wealth of households with mortgages has a positive but not significant effect on tourism expenditure. We also note that tourism expenditure does not affect the expenditure on necessities or durable goods, but indeed crowds out expenditure on educational training and other high elastic goods.
Loss of life expectancy derived from a standardized mortality ratio in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden
Authors: Skriver Mette Vinther , Væth Michael , Støvring Henrik
Published: January 2018

Aims: The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) is a widely used measure. A recent methodological study provided an accurate approximate relationship between an SMR and difference in lifetime expectancies. This study examines the usefulness of the theoretical relationship, when comparing historic mortality data in four Scandinavian populations. Methods: For Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, data on mortality every fifth year in the period 1950 to 2010 were obtained. Using 1980 as the reference year, SMRs and difference in life expectancy were calculated. The assumptions behind the theoretical relationship were examined graphically. The theoretical relationship predicts a linear association with a slope, [Formula: see text], between log(SMR) and difference in life expectancies, and the theoretical prediction and calculated differences in lifetime expectancies were compared. We examined the linear association both for life expectancy at birth and at age 30. All analyses were done for females, males and the total population. Results: The approximate relationship provided accurate predictions of actual differences in lifetime expectancies. The accuracy of the predictions was better when age was restricted to above 30, and improved if the changes in mortality rate were close to a proportional change. Slopes of the linear relationship were generally around 9 for females and 10 for males. Conclusions: The theoretically derived relationship between SMR and difference in life expectancies provides an accurate prediction for comparing populations with approximately proportional differences in mortality, and was relatively robust. The relationship may provide a useful prediction of differences in lifetime expectancies, which can be more readily communicated and understood.
Isolated Common Iliac Artery Aneurysms Treated Solely With Iliac Branch Stent-Grafts: Midterm Results of a Multicenter Registry
Authors: Giaquinta Alessia , Ardita Vincenzo , Ferrer Ciro , Beggs Clive B. , Veroux Massimiliano , Barbante Matteo , Orrico Matteo , Cao Piergiorgio , Veroux Piefrancesco , Mangialardi Nicola , Ronchey Sonia , Lenti Massimo , Verzini Fabio , Parlani Gianbattista , Ippoliti Arnaldo , Pratesi Giovanni , Coscarella Carlo , Setacci Carlo , de Donato Gianmarco , Galzerano Giuseppe , Pratesi Carlo , Fargion Aaron , Veroux Chiara , Mociskyte Dovile , De Marco Ester , Virgilio Carla , Virgilio Vittorio
Published: January 2018

Purpose: To assess early and midterm outcomes of iliac branch device (IBD) implantation without an aortic stent-graft for the treatment of isolated common iliac artery aneurysm (CIAA). Methods: From December 2006 to June 2016, 49 isolated CIAAs in 46 patients were treated solely with an IBD at 7 vascular centers. Five patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 41 male patients (mean age 72.5±7.8 years) for analysis. Mean CIAA diameter was 39.1±10.5 mm (range 25–65). Thirty-two patients (2 with bilateral CIAAs) were treated with a Cook Zenith iliac branch device; 9 patients (1 bilateral) received a Gore Excluder iliac branch endoprosthesis. Primary endpoints were technical success, survival, aneurysm exclusion, device patency, and freedom from reintervention at 1 and 5 years. Freedom from major adverse events and aneurysm shrinkage at 1 year were also assessed. Results: Thirty-day mortality and the IBD occlusion rate were 2.4% and 2.3%, respectively. At a mean follow-up of 40.2±33.9 months, no patient presented buttock claudication, erectile dysfunction, or bowel or spinal cord ischemia. Three patients died within 6 months after the procedure. Estimates of cumulative survival, device patency, and freedom from reintervention were 90.2%, 95.2%, and 95.7%, respectively, at 1 and 5 years. At 1 year, CIAA shrinkage ≥5 mm was recorded in 21 of 38 survivors. No evidence of endoleak, device migration, or disconnection was found on imaging follow-up. Conclusion: The use of IBDs without an aortic stent-graft for isolated CIAAs resulted in excellent patency, with low morbidity and mortality. This, in conjunction with no endoleak or migration and a low reintervention rate, supports the use of isolated IBDs as a stable and durable means of endovascular reconstruction in cases with suitable anatomy. Longer follow-up and a larger cohort are needed to validate these results.
“Hold on! I’ll Just Google It!”: Critical Conversations Regarding Dimensions of Diversity in a School Leadership Preparation Program
Authors: Boske Christa , Elue Chinasa
Published: January 2018

This case outlines a dilemma encountered by faculty and graduate assistants in a K-12 educational administration graduate program. The case offers a detailed illustration of tensions arising when faculty were asked to increase “diversity” within their program. Faculty uncover disrupting institutional systems of domination that often play a significant role in understanding how to prepare leaders to serve in authentic and meaningful ways. Implications for the development of social justice–oriented school leaders included an intentional examination of these issues.
To Play or Not to Play: Equitable Access to Afterschool Programs for Students With Disabilities
Authors: Meade Whitney W. , O’Brien Jason
Published: January 2018

In this case, a child with a spinal cord injury was denied access to an afterschool care program that her nondisabled siblings were allowed to attend because she did not meet “eligibility requirements.” Specifically, the independent contractor who ran the program mandated that students be able to function in an environment with a student to teacher ratio of 15:1. District personnel initially claimed that the decision to deny admission was not their responsibility because the program was not administered by the schools, while the contractor claimed that they could not hire additional personnel without district approval.
The dynamic natural history of cerebral aneurysms from cardiac myxomas: A review of the natural history of myxomatous aneurysms
Authors: Flores Paloma Largo , Haglund Felix , Bhogal Pervinder , Yeo Leong Litt Leonard , Södermann Michael
Published: January 2018

We describe two contrasting patients with multiple cerebral aneurysms and a previous history of resected cardiac myxomas with no cardiac recurrence on follow-up echocardiography. Both patients presented with stroke- like symptoms; one with a left visual defect and the other with right hemiplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain of both patients showed the presence of multiple cerebral aneurysms that was later confirmed on conventional angiography. Both patients’ aneurysms were managed conservatively. Serial angiograms were performed during their follow-up, which spanned several years. One patient’s aneurysms remained static while the evolution of the other patient’s aneurysms displayed a dynamic quality with some increasing in size while others diminished. This is the first description in which some aneurysms progressed while others regressed simultaneously in the same patient. Aneurysms in patients with a history of cardiac myxoma can be active years after primary tumor resection and it is difficult to predict how they will develop. We reviewed the literature of all patients with multiple myxomatous aneurysms who were treated conservatively to better understand the natural history of this rare disease. Long-term follow-up of these patients may be necessary.