bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unspeakable Desires
Authors: Flint Kate
Published: October 2015

This chapter explores how certain forms of desire are silenced by culture and convention, and how these desires, whilst they may be expressed through glance or action, can be difficult to express in verbal form. Chief among these desires are ones predicated on same-sex attraction, and both male homosexual and lesbian desires—and attitudes and legislation relating to them—are placed in the context of changing attitudes towards sexuality in Victorian society. The chapter also examines forms of desire that are manifested through such activities as flogging or the consumption of pornography. But the main emphasis falls on queer sexualities and relationships and on their expression in fiction and poetry. The idea that style itself may be understood as a form of queer expression is investigated, and the warning issued that we must be careful not to project our own twenty-first-century desires and forms of identification onto Victorian practices.
Victorian Natural Science and the Seashore
Authors: King Amy M.
Published: October 2015

Victorian natural science is not something separate from culture and social life, but integral to Victorian literary culture broadly defined. This is particularly important to the Victorian period because it was during the nineteenth century that the professionalization of science occurred; at the same time a vibrant popular science existed. Natural history is part of a broader landscape of scientific culture in the nineteenth century beyond the poles of the ‘scientific naturalists’ such as Charles Darwin and the Anglican ‘gentlemen of science’. A particular nineteenth-century version of natural theology persisted at least until mid-century and even as late as the 1870s, manifesting especially in popular natural histories. One specific genre was the seashore natural history, in which there is a blend of empirical observation and theology, especially in the work of Philip Henry Gosse.
Archives, Documents, and Legal Practices in the GreekPolis
Authors: Faraguna Michele
Published: October 2015

This chapter explores the importance of writing in the legal practices of the Greek poleis. After discussing writing materials and kinds of documents, illustrating the different functions documents on the same media could have and the problems in tracing ancient archives and reconstructing the role they played in the mechanisms of public administration, it concentrates on two case studies: written records concerning land transactions (in particular registers of sales) and the role of written documents in Athenian judicial procedures. It argues that the impact of written documents on the legal sphere and in establishing fair social relations within the polis was much more significant than is generally recognized.
Law and Citizenship in the GreekPoleis
Authors: Brock Roger
Published: October 2015

The chapter provides a survey of the meaning and workings of citizenship in the Greek poleis in the Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic time. It discusses citizenship as political participation and as performance, and gives a comprehensive account of the rights and duties of citizenship, isolating an understanding of citizenship shared across the Greek world. It also discusses categories such as resident foreigners and women, and their status within the polis. It also investigates inter-polis interactions involving citizenship, whether naturalizations of individuals or groups, reciprocal agreements of isopoliteia, or more radical mergers through synoecism or sympoliteia.
Slavery and Manumission
Authors: Lewis David
Published: October 2015

This chapter explores the legal position of slaves in the Greek world from Homeric times down to the Roman conquest, including Gortyn, Athens, Sparta, and Ptolemaic Egypt, by documenting the articulation of property law over slaves in these different regions as well as examining key debates over other questions such as status, hybris, the torture of slaves, slave families, and the legal relation of slaves to property in their possession. The final section provides an overview of the issue of manumission in Greek law including the various methods by which manumission was achieved and debates over the evidence for manumission.
Egypt and the Mediterranean in the Bronze Age
Authors: Bader Bettina
Published: October 2015

This chapter provides an overview of possible types of cultural contact between Egypt and the Eastern Mediterranean and of the available sources, both archaeological and textual, and their interpretational values and problems. The focus is on the Early and Middle Bronze Ages, corresponding to the Early Dynastic period, the Old Kingdom, the First Intermediate Period, the Middle Kingdom, and the Second Intermediate Period in Egypt. Using sources that have recently come to light, especially pottery, the article stresses the contextual information of such finds and considers changes in paradigms of interpretation. Analyzing and interpreting imported and “imitation” wares and objects is a relatively new and very difficult field, one that has initiated a re-evaluation of both textual and archaeological evidence.
Training the 21st-Century Health Care Team: Maximizing Interprofessional Education Through Medical–Legal Partnership
Authors: Tobin-Tyler Elizabeth , Teitelbaum Joel
Published: October 2015

For too long, many stakeholders in the health care delivery system have ignored the extent to which social determinants of health (SDH) are inextricably woven into and affect individual and population health. The health care system is undergoing a relatively rapid transformation, which has included in part an increasing recognition of SDH’s effects. This recognition, in turn, has led to renewed calls for changing the way that physicians are trained and has accelerated medical education curricular reforms. This Perspective focuses on one such innovative method of team-based care and the opportunities for its integration into medical education: medical–legal partnership, a health care delivery model that embeds civil legal services into the spectrum of health care services provided to low-income or otherwise vulnerable patients and communities.
Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk in Adults With Celiac Disease
Authors: Stein Adam C. , Liao Chuanhong , Paski Shirley , Polonsky Tamar , Semrad Carol E. , Kupfer Sonia S.
Published: October 2015

Background:

Patients with celiac disease (CD) may be at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet CVD risk factors are not well defined in CD. The validated Framingham Heart Study 10-year general CVD risk score (FRS) that incorporates traditional CVD risk factors including body mass index (BMI) has not been previously studied in CD patients.

Aims:

To compare BMI and FRS in CD patients with population-based controls.

Methods:

Biopsy-proven CD patients were ascertained retrospectively and data on BMI, systolic blood pressure, hypertension, smoking status, and diabetes were obtained at initial and follow-up visits. FRS was calculated and compared with 4 matched general population non-CD controls from the 2009 to 2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Results:

Of 258 total CD patients, 38.3% were overweight or obese compared with 69.8% of controls (P<0.001). In total, 174 CD patients met the inclusion criteria for FRS calculation. Of these, the median FRS was lower in CD patients compared with controls (3.9 vs. 4.2;P=0.011). In CD patients, tobacco use was significantly lower (P<0.001), whereas systolic blood pressure was significantly higher (P<0.01) than controls.

Conclusions:

Global CVD risk is lower among patients with CD compared with population controls. Lower BMI and tobacco use among CD patients could account for this difference. These results suggest that factors other than those measured by FRS could contribute to the increased risk of CVD in CD observed in some studies.
Plantactinospora sonchi sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from the leaves of common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.)
Authors: Ma Zhaoxu , Liu Chongxi , Fan Jianlong , He Hairong , Li Chuang , Li Jiansong , Zhao Shanshan , Xiang Wensheng , Wang Xiangjing
Published: October 2015

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain NEAU-QY2T, was isolated from the leaves of Sonchus oleraceus L. specimen, collected from Wuchang, Heilongjiang Province, China. A polyphasic study was carried out to establish the taxonomic position of this strain. The organism formed single spores with rough surfaces on substrate mycelia. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain NEAU-QY2T belonged to the genus Plantactinospora and formed a monophyletic clade with its closest related strains Plantactinospora endophytica YIM 68255T (99.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Plantactinospora veratri NEAU-FHS4T (98.8 %) and Plantactinospora mayteni YIM 61359T (98.7 %), an association that was supported by a bootstrap value of 90 % in the neighbour-joining tree and also recovered with the maximum-likelihood algorithm. However, DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain NEAU-QY2T and the three closely related strains were below 70 %. With reference to phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and DNA–DNA hybridization results, strain NEAU-QY2T was distinguished from closely related strains and is classified as representing a novel species of the genus Plantactinospora, for which the name Plantactinospora sonchi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-QY2T ( = CGMCC 4.7216T = JCM 30345T).
Effect of seasonal cabbage cultivar (Brassica rapa L. ssp. Pekinesis) on the quality characteristics of salted-Kimchi cabbages during storage period
Authors: Choi Eun Jeong , Jeong Moon Cheol , Ku Kyung Hyung
Published: October 2015

This study investigates the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics of seasonal salted-Kimchi cabbages to provide basic data on its uniform quality. Generally, seasonal salted-Kimchi samples had different pH values at initial storage periods, but there was no difference in pH between the seasonal samples when stored for longer periods. The samples from the fall and winter seasons were relatively low in acid and high in solid soluble content compared to samples from other seasons. Salted-Kimchi cabbages in the summer showed the highest microbiological number compared to samples from other seasons. In the sensory evaluation, there were differences in the appearance, aroma, and taste, depending on seasonal samples at different storage periods. The correlation coefficient between the quality characteristics in the seasonal samples showed a positive or negative correlation between the quality characteristics at 1% significant level. In the principal component analysis, F1 and F2 were shown the 51.81% and 14.23% of the total variance (66.21%), respectively. In the PCA pattern of seasonal salted-Kimchi cabbages during storage periods, winter samples were distributed on the top of F2, spring samples were in the middle of F2, while the rest of the samples were distributed on the bottom of F2. According to increasing storage periods, initial storage samples were distributed at the left of F1, while other samples were located at the right of F2.
Quality properties of Jeonbyeong containing bamboo sprout powder
Authors: Moon Eun Woo , Park Hun Jo , Park Jung Suk , Na Hwan Sik
Published: October 2015

Bamboo sprout powder was added to Jeonbyeong dough for improving its quality and functional properties. Crude protein and ash content increased as the amount of bamboo sprout powder increased, while the crude fat content was decreased. As the content of bamboo sprout powder increased, total amino acid content also increased. As bamboo sprout powder content increased, Hunter’s L, a and b values decreased whereas sugar-free content increased. The addition of bamboo sprout powder to Jeonbyeong increased its dietary fiber contents. The sensory score of Jeonbyeong containing 300 g of bamboo sprout powder showed the highest score among all other tested Jeonbyeong. Based on the results, the addition of bamboo sprout powder could improve the quality and sensory characteristics of Jeonbyeong.
A study on manufacturing of red ginseng Makgeolli using the red ginseng starch and changes of physicochemical components of red ginseng Makgeolli during storage periods
Authors: Lee Hwan , Kim Yeong-Su , Kim Do-Yeon , Kim So-Young , Lee Wan-Kyu , Lee Sang-Myeong , Park Jong-Dae , Shon Mi-Yae
Published: October 2015

This study was performed to develop the maufacturing processes of Makgeolli using red ginseng starch (RGS). After the fermentation of RGS with koji, nuruk, and yeast, the different temperature effects on the number of the yeast cells, the content of organic acid, free sugars, and total acid, and pH were investigated. There were no changes in the composition of the yeast cell number and content of organic acid amd during 20 days at 4°C. The content of free sugars (sucrose, glucose and mannose) and the pH value of red ginseng Makgeolli decreased during storage at 4°C. This meant that the total acid content and pH value increased after organic acid was produced from fermentation. Therefore, red ginseng Makgeolli is highly acidic and sour. Since high acidity helps improve storage conditions, so this developed red ginseng Makgeolli is considered safe for consumption. Furthermore, the total content of ginsenoside was 2.47 mg/mL, which was differentiate Makgeolli using red ginseng starch, with others. Therefore, new red ginseng Makgeolli is rich in organic acid, free sugars, and ginsenoside. As a result, its storage, taste, and flavor improved.
Effects of steam blanching pretreatment on quality of spray-dried powders prepared from pressed juice of garlic chives
Authors: Chung Hun-Sik , Kim Han-Soo , Kim Dong-Seob , Lee Young-Guen , Seong Jong-Hwan
Published: October 2015

This study was conducted to develop a spray-dried garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) powder and to evaluate its quality characteristics depending on the treatment of steam blanching pretreatment (100°C, 3 min) and the addition of forming agents (dextrin (DE=10), β-cyclodextrin) during process. The steam blanching pretreatment showed an increase in L* value while a decrease in -a*, b*, C*, and h° values of the powder. Moisture content and water soluble index were not affected by the treatment of steam blanching and the addition of forming agents, whereas the particle diameter was the smallest in the steam blanching treatment and dextrin addition. Chlorophyll, phenolic compound, and vitamin C content, and DPPH radical scavenging activity of non-pretreated powder were significantly higher than those of the steam blanching treated powders. However, there was no significant difference between the two forming agents. The sensory acceptability (color, smell, and overall acceptability) of powder treated with steam blanching were significantly higher than those of non-pretreated powders. Therefore, the steam blanching pretreatment of fresh garlic chives affected on the better quality characteristics of the spray-dried powders when compared with non-pretreated powder though it adversely affected the natural chemical quality of fresh garlic chives.
Physicochemical properties of spray-dried rice flour with Lactobacillus plantarum CGKW3
Authors: Park Hye-Mi , Lee Dae-Hoon , Jeong Yoo-Seok , Jung Hee-Kyoung , Cho Jae-Gon , Hong Joo-Heon
Published: October 2015

The physicochemical properties of spray-dried rice flour with Lactobacillus plantarum CGKW3 were investigated. Amylose and damaged starch contents of spray-dried rice flour (S10, S20, S30, and S50) with L. plantarum CGKW3 were 14.18~17.75% and 24.65~34.08%, respectively. The particle size of spray-dried rice flour was 82.28~131.17 μm. The rice flour with L. plantarum CGKW3 showed a good powder flowability. The water absorption and water solubility of spray-dried rice flour were 1.96~2.13 and 9.91~21.95%, respectively. Thermal properties measured by differential scanning calorimeter revealed that the enthalpy (△H) for starch gelatinization were highest in the rice flour (S50) with L. plantarum CGKW3. When compared, the viable cell number of spray-dried rice flour were found to be in the following order: S10 (5.78 log CFU/g) ‹ S20 (6.38 log CFU/g) ‹ S30 (6.69 log CFU/g) ‹ S50 (7.11 log CFU/g). The survaival rate of L. plantarum CGKW3 was 60.02-73.85%, which reflected the improvement in the quality of rice flour with an increase in treatment concentration. Based on our results, spray-dried rice flour with L. plantarum CGKW3 could be used in various types of rice foods.
Physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of Sumaeyaksuk depending on harvest times and processing methods
Authors: Choi Myoung Hyo , Kang Jae Ran , Sim Hye Jin , Kang Min Jung , Seo Weon Tack , Bae Won Yoel , Shin Jung Hye
Published: October 2015

Sumaeyaksuk (Artemisia Argyi H.) is one of the original mugwort spices in Namhae-gun, Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the physicochemical characteristics and biological activities of water extracts from dried and aging Sumaeyaksuk samples during the May-July harvest season. One (SD) was dried under shade for 12 days, while the other (AD) was aged for 7 days at 60°C and then roasted for 220 minutes at over 90°C. Glucose was solely detected as a free sugar, and its SD and AD content were 0.42±0.02~0.43±0.01 g/100 g, and 0.41±0.02~0.47±0.04 g/100 g, respectively. The total phenolic contents of SD were 1.85±0.09~3.45±0.14 g/100 g, which were higher than those of AD (1.29±0.08~2.90±0.08 g/100 g). The antioxidant activities of the water extract powder from each Sumaeyaksuk were assessed by different in vitro methods, such as the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, FRAP, and decoloration prevention activity in β-carotene linoleic system. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity of AD extract were significantly higher than those of the SD extract (p<0.05). Moreover, at the concentrations of 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, 500 μg/mL, the FRAP of the SD-May extract showed 1.67±0.58~489.90±7.59 μM, while the AD-July extract showed 9.70±1.07~590.40±7.45 μM. The β-carotene decoloration prevention activity of the SD-May and AD-July extracts were 25.53±2.85~81.43±2.56%, 35.98±2.22~79.00±1.42%, respectively. Based on these results, the extracts of SD-May and AD-July were promising as a functional food source due to their high antioxidant activites.
Evaluation of free radical scavenging and pancreatic lipase inhibitory effects of Aquilaria agallocha extracts
Authors: Lee Ha Yeong , Lee In-Chul , Kwak Jae Hoon , Kim Tae Hoon
Published: October 2015

In a continuing screening of selected medicinal plants native to South Korea, the antioxidant and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities of an aqueous methanolic extract from the heartwood of Aquilaria agallocha were investigated. Eighty percent of the methanolic extract of A. agallocha was further divided into CH2Cl2, EtOAc and n-BuOH in order to yield four solvent-soluble portions, namely CH2Cl2-soluble, EtOAc-soluble, n-BuOH-soluble and H2O residue. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by employing radical scavenging assays using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS+) radicals, while the anti-obesity efficacy of A. agallocha extracts and solvent-soluble portions were tested by porcine pancreatic lipase assay. All tested samples showed dose-dependent radical scavenging and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities. Among the tested extracts and solvent-soluble portions, the CH2Cl2-soluble portion showed much higher radical scavenging activity and pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties when compared with other solvent-soluble portions. This result suggested that there was a significant relationship between the total phenolic content and biological efficacies, and A. agallocha extract might be considered as a new potential source of natural antioxidants and as a pancreatic lipase inhibitory source. A more systematic investigation of this biomass will be performed for further investigation of activity against antioxidative and anti-obesity effects.
Effect of calcium chloride on the texture of pickled radish wrap
Authors: Jeong Eun-Jeong , Lee Nam Keun , Yum Eun Ji , Nam Kang , Oh Jisun , Kim Yong-Sik , Park Jun-Young , Kim Su-Jeong , Jeong Yong-Seob
Published: October 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate the quality characteristics of pickled radish wrap supplemented with calcium chloride (CaCl2) at different concentrations. With CaCl2 supplementation, initial pH and acidity were 3.8~4.0 and 2.7~3.0% (w/v), respectively. During the 28 day-preservation at 4°C or 50°C, the initial pH and acidity were maintained. However, when the pickled radish wrap was preserved at 25°C, it had lower pH (by 0.5) and higher acidity (by 1.9~2.2%) when compared with the initial values. The difference in color (△E-value) of the pickled radish wrap preserved at 50°C was significant (△E-value 23~27), though the hardness of the sample prepared at 4°C or 25°C showed no distinguishable differences at various concentrations of CaCl2 supplementation (0.1, 0.2, 03, 0.4, and 0.5%). However, once preserved at 50°C, it resulted in the greater hardness with the higher concentrations of CaCl2 supplementation. In terms of softness, the overall trend in changes was similar to the hardness. A sensory evaluation using the samples preserved at 4°C for 28 days demonstrated that the preparation with 0.4% CaCl2 ranked highest in taste, hardness and overall acceptability. It wass suggested that supplementation with 0.4% CaCl2 would be most appropriate to improve the textural properties of pickled radish wrap while maintaining its organoleptic quality.
Quality characteristics of Korean-Uzbekistanis fermented soybean paste
Authors: Seo Bo Young , Eom Jeong Seon , Song Jin , Baek Sung Yeol , Kim Jae Hyun , Park Shin Young , Choi Hye Sun
Published: October 2015

Many Koreans, who are resident in Uzbekistan and Central Asia, are still avid fans of the Korean traditional soybean paste. No research study has been conducted on the Korean-Uzbekistanis soybean paste. The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality characteristics of the Korean-Uzbekistanis fermented soybean paste. Nine kinds of soybean pastes prepared by Korean-Uzbekistanis were collected, and their physiochemical properties (protease activity, amylase activity, amino type nitrogen content, reducing-sugar contents, and aerobic bacterial count) have been analyzed. The Korean-Uzbekistanis’ fermented soybean paste (KU-SP) showed higher protease activity than the Korean fermented soybean paste (K-SP). The protease activities of KU-SP B, D, and H were 832, 807 and 630 unit/g, respectively, which were significantly different from others. In addition, the content of amino-type nitrogen in KU-SP B, D, and H were 777 mg%, 686 mg%, and 705 mg%, respectively. In the meanwhile, α-amylase activities showed wide ranges starting from 10.82 to 47.98 unit/g. The KU-SP values, except for the KU-SP C, have shown higher activities than the K-SP. The reduced sugar content and totoal aerobic bacteria number were within the range of 0.55~3.43%/g and 7.24~8.79 log CFU/g, respectively. Finally, this research provided the basic data and information for the quality characteristics of commercial soybean paste prepared by the Korean-Uzbekistanis. These basic data can be useful for understanding the Korean food culture in Central Asia.
Quality characteristics of whey Makgeolli by Kluyveromyces marxianus
Authors: Kim Su-Hwan , Huh Chang-Ki , Kim So-Mang , Cho In-Kyung , Kim Yong-Doo
Published: October 2015

This study was performed to analyze the processing and quality characteristics of whey Makgeolli prepared with different types of yeast and ratio of the whey content. Lactose content of yeast culture medium containing S. cerevisiae. was 1.36% whereas lactose content of yeast culture containing K. marxianus KCCM 12015 was very little. Yeast culture of both K. marxianus KCCM 35455 and K. marxianus KCCM 50700 did not produce lactose. Until the 10th day, ethanol production ability of S. cerevisiae, K. marxianus KCCM 12015, K. marxianus KCCM 35455, and K. marxianus KCCM were 0.31%, 2.51%, 2.53%, and 2.59%, respectively. Total acids content increased rapidly with the increase in the addition of whey content in the initial 2 days and then decreased during 4~10 days of fermentation. In the aspect of pH, the pH was rapidly decreased in the initial 2 days and then increased until 10th day of fermentation with the increase in whey content. Ethanol content of whey Makgeollis at 10th day of fermentation was the highest in yeast culture containing K. marxianus. From the sensory evaluation, the flavor score of whey Makgeollisin was higher than that of control. The color and taste scores were increased as the increase in the addition of whey. The comprehensive preference indicated that Makgeolli prepared with 100% whey was the best among other samples.
Comparative study of antioxidant activity of imported tropical and subtropical fruits
Authors: Chung Hai-Jung
Published: October 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of imported tropical and subtropical fruits including dragon fruits, green kiwi, papaya, pineapple, pomegranate, and yellow mango. A seventy percent of ethanol extracts were prepared. Total phenolic content, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl)-, ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), tyrosinase inhibitory activity, and reducing power were investigated for the comparisons of antioxidant activities. The phenolic content expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE) was found to be highest in pomegranate (12.22 mg GAE/g), followed by pineapple (3.77 mg GAE/g). Pomegranate and pineapple exhibited higher antioxidant activity than those of other fruits except for FRAP. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity from pomegranate were 93.00%, and 98.98%, respectively, at a concentration of 5 mg/mL, which were equal to those of ascorbic acid used for a positive control.
Antioxidant activities of chlorella extracts and physicochemical characteristics of spray-dried chlorella powders
Authors: Lee Dae-Hoon , Hong Joo-Heon
Published: October 2015

In this study, extracts of chlorella using different extraction methods were compared for antioxidant activities and spray-dried chlorella powders were investigated for their physicochemical characteristics. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and superoxide radical scavenging activity of 50% ethanol extract were 29.19%, and 48.91%, respectively. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of the 50% ethanol extract (150.44 μM/g) was higher than those of other extracts. The total chlorophyll content of the 50% ethanol extract (542.89 mg/100 g) was higher than those of other extracts. The microencapsulation of the 50% ethanol extract was manufactured by spray-drying with 10 % maltodextrin (SD-C10), 20% maltodextrin (SD-C20), and 30% maltodextrin (SD-C30). The particle size of the freeze-dried powder (454.47 μm) was higher than those of the spray-dried powders (24.15~32.49 μm). Scanning electron microscope images showed that the spray-dried chlorella powders using SD-C10, SD-C20, and SD-C30 had an uniform particle distribution. The water absorption index and water solubility index (WSI) of powders were 0.31~0.45, and 96.96~98.28%, respectively. The spray-dried powders showed the stability in total chlorophyll content for 40 days storage. Based on these results, spray-dried chlorella powders could be used in various types of food processes.
Openness in university-industry collaboration: probing managerial perceptions
Authors: Moilanen Heikki , Halla Mirje , Alin Pauli
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of decision making of managers of intermediary organizations in university-industry (UI) collaboration by probing managerial perceptions of openness in that context.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted 11 semi-structured interviews of managers of intermediary organizations in the context of UI collaboration. Using Grounded Theory, the authors analyzed how the managers talked about openness.

Findings

– The authors found that the managers perceived openness in four distinct ways: first, openness as driven by management of the relationship, second, openness as driven by bringing people together, third, openness as a driver of co-creation and fourth, openness as a driver of beneficial results. From these findings the authors induce a framework for perception of openness.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings are based on a relatively limited data set, which is a limitation of the study. Future research should study whether differences in perception of openness exist among different contexts or partners of UI collaboration.

Practical implications

– The findings can potentially provide useful guidance to managers in UI collaboration as to how better understand the important concept of openness in that context.

Originality/value

– This study addresses the lack of research on managerial perceptions on openness in the context in UI collaboration. Probing managerial perceptions of openness provides us with better understanding of managerial decision making in UI collaboration. The study contributes to scientific discussions on managerial perceptions of openness and to discussions on managerial decision making in UI collaboration.
State of the art in robots used in minimally invasive surgeries. Natural Orifice Transluminal Surgery (NOTES) as a particular case
Authors: Díaz Carlos Eduardo , Fernández Roemi , Armada Manuel , García Gutiérrez Felipe de Jesús
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide an insight into recent advancements and developments of robotics for Natural Orifice Transluminal Surgery (NOTES) procedures.

Design/methodology/approach

– Following an introduction that highlights the evolution from Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) to NOTES in the medical field, this paper reviews the main robotics systems that have been designed and implemented for MIS and NOTES, summarising their advantages and limitations and remarking the technological challenges and the requirements that still should be addressed and fulfilled.

Findings

– The state-of-the-art presented in this paper shows that the majority of the platforms created for NOTES are laboratory prototypes, and their performances are still far from being optimal. New solutions are required to solve the problems confronted by the proposed systems such as the limited number of DOFs, the limited resolution, the optimal fixation and stiffening of the instruments for enabling stable and precise operation, the effective transmission of forces to the tip tools, the improvement of the force feedback feeling and the proper visualization and spatial orientation of the surgical field. Advances in robotics can contribute significantly to the development and future implementation of the NOTES procedure.

Originality/value

– This paper highlights the current trends and challenges ahead in robotics applied to NOTES procedure.
A comparative evaluation of three industrial robots using three reference measuring techniques
Authors: Slamani Mohamed , Joubair Ahmed , Bonev Ilian A.
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a technique for assessing and comparing the static and dynamic performance of three different models of small six-axis industrial robots using a Renishaw XL80 laser interferometer system, a FARO ION laser tracker and a Renishaw QC20-W telescoping ballbar.

Design/methodology/approach

– Specific test methods are proposed in this work, and each robot has been measured in a similar area of its working envelope. The laser interferometer measurement instrument is used to assess the static positioning performance along three linear and orthogonal paths. The laser tracker is used to assess the contouring performance at different tool center point (TCP) speeds along a triangular tool path, whereas the telescoping ballbar is used to assess the dynamic positioning performance for circular paths at different TCP speeds and trajectory radii.

Findings

– It is found that the tested robots behave differently, and that the static accuracy of these non-calibrated robots varies between 0.5 and 2.3 mm. On the other hand, results show that these three robots can provide acceptable corner tracking at low TCP speeds. However, a significant overshoot at the corner is observed at high TCP speed for all the robots tested. It was also found that the smallest increment of Cartesian displacement (Cartesian resolution) that can be taken by the tested robots is approximately 50 μm.

Practical implications

– The technique used in this paper allows extremely accurate diagnosis of the robot performance, which makes it possible for the robot user to determine whether the robot is in good or bad condition. It can also help the decision-maker to select the most suitable industrial robot to achieve the desired task with minimum cost and specific application ability.

Originality/value

– This paper proposed a new method based on the performance verification approach for solving the robot selection problem for flexible manufacturing systems. Furthermore, despite their importance, bidirectional repeatability and Cartesian resolution are never specified by the manufacturers of industrial robots nor are they described in the ISO 9283:1998 guide, and they are rarely the object of performance assessments. In this work, specific tests are performed to check and quantify the bidirectional repeatability and the Cartesian resolution of each robot.
Institutional judo: how entrepreneurs use institutional forces to create change
Authors: Hansen Hans , Randolph Angela , Chen Shawna , Robinson Robert E. , Marin Alejandra , Lee Jae Hwan
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine an entrepreneur’s attempt to gain legitimacy and change institutions in a multiple institutions setting.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted a qualitative case study to track an entrepreneur’s efforts to create a new financial instrument and get it accepted and traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

Findings

– The authors introduce the concept of institutional judo, analogous to the martial art where a fighter uses his opponent’s forces against him. While institutional theory has focussed on how institutional pressures force actors to conform, the term judo refers to an actor using institutional pressures to their advantage in changing those very institutions.

Research limitations/implications

– This qualitative research involves a single case study, but is most suited to revealing extensions of theory and subtle processes.

Practical implications

– The approach allowed the authors to provide a nuanced look at the actual change efforts by an entrepreneur to gain legitimacy.

Social implications

– This study provides a nuanced look at actual attempts to change institutions.

Originality/value

– Institutional judo offers a new change mechanism within institutional theory.
Gliotoxin – bane or boon?
Authors: Scharf Daniel H. , Brakhage Axel A. , Mukherjee Prasun K.
Published: October 2015

Gliotoxin (GT) is the most important epidithiodioxopiperazine (ETP)‐type fungal toxin. GT was originally isolated from Trichoderma species as an antibiotic substance involved in biological control of plant pathogenic fungi. A few isolates of GT‐producing Trichoderma virens are commercially marketed for biological control and widely used in agriculture. Furthermore, GT is long known as an immunosuppressive agent and also reported to have anti‐tumour properties. However, recent publications suggest that GT is a virulence determinant of the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. This compound is thus important on several counts – it has medicinal properties, is a pathogenicity determinant, is a potential diagnostic marker and is important in biological crop protection. The present article addresses this paradox and the ecological role of GT. We discuss the function of GT as defence molecule, the role in aspergillosis and suggest solutions for safe application of Trichoderma‐based biofungicides.
Hormonal contraceptive use before hCG remission does not increase the risk of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia following complete hydatidiform mole: a historical database review
Authors: Braga A , Maestá I , Short D , Savage P , Harvey R , Seckl MJ
Published: October 2015

Objective

To re‐evaluate the safety of hormonal contraceptives (HC) after uterine evacuation of complete hydatidiform mole (CHM).

Design

Historical database review.

Setting

Charing Cross Hospital Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Centre, London, United Kingdom.

Population

Two thousand four hundred and twenty‐three women with CHM of whom 154 commenced HC while their human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was still elevated, followed between 2003 and 2012.

Methods

We compared time to hCG remission between HC users and nonusers. The relationship between HC use and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) development was assessed. The relationship between HC use and a high International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) risk score was determined.

Main outcome measures

Time to hCG remission, risk of developing postmolar GTN and proportion of women with high FIGO risk score.

Results

No relationship was observed between HC use with mean time to hCG remission (HC users versus non‐users: 12 weeks in both, P = 0.19), GTN development (HC users versus non‐users: 20.1 and 16.7%, P = 0.26) or high‐risk FIGO score (HC users versus nonusers: 0% and 8%, P = 0.15). Moreover, no association between HC and GTN development was found, even when an age‐adjusted model was used (OR = 1.37, 95% CI 0.91–2.08, P = 0.13).

Conclusions

The use of current HC is not associated with development of postmolar GTN or delayed time to hCG remission. Therefore, HC can be safely used to prevent a new conception following CHM regardless of hCG level.

Tweetable abstract

Non‐concurrent cohort study to re‐evaluate the safety of low dose HCs after uterine evacuation of CHM.
Preparation and Characterization of Composites Based on Polylactic Acid and Beeswax with Improved Water Vapor Barrier Properties
Authors: Lim Jung Hoon , Kim Jeong Ae , Ko Jung A , Park Hyun Jin
Published: October 2015

Beeswax and a plasticizer (ATBC) were added to polylactic acid (PLA) films in order to enhance the water vapor barrier properties of the films. Beeswax improved the barrier properties; the water vapor permeability in the composite containing 1% beeswax was 58% lower than that of the neat PLA. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that the incorporation of beeswax and ATBC had so little effect on the PLA structure. In addition, the structure of PLA did not vary substantially with the additions. The surfaces of the composites were examined by using field emission scanning electron microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that the degree of crystallinity of the PLA films increased with the addition of beeswax and ATBC. However, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the composites containing beeswax were up to approximately 50% lower than those of the neat PLA. Although further study is needed to improve the mechanical properties, the aforementioned results showed that the PLA barrier properties can be improved by the incorporation of a small amount of beeswax and ATBC.
Biocontrol of Postharvest Anthracnose of Mango Fruit with Debaryomyces Nepalensis and Effects on Storage Quality and Postharvest Physiology
Authors: Luo Shanshan , Wan Bin , Feng Shuhan , Shao Yuanzhi
Published: October 2015

Anthracnose is presently recognized as one of the most important postharvest disease of mango worldwide. To control the disease, chemical fungicides for a long time was widely used among fruit farmers, but recently found that pathogen had developed increasingly resistance to it. With people's growing desire of healthy and green food, finding new and environmentally friendly biological control approach was very necessary. In this paper, we provided a kind of new antagonistic yeast which enriched the strain resources and the efficacy of Debaryomyces nepalensis against postharvest anthracnose of mango fruit and the influence on quality parameters were investigated. The results showed that the decay incidence and lesion diameter of postharvest anthracnose of mango treated by D. nepalensis were significantly reduced compared with the control fruit stored at 25 °C for 30 d or at 15 °C for 40 d, and the higher concentration of D. nepalensis was, the better the efficacy of the biocontrol was. Study also found that 1 h was the best treatment duration and antagonistic yeast inoculated earlier had good biocontrol effect on anthracnose. Meanwhile, treatment by D. nepalensis could significantly reduce postharvest anthracnose of mango, delay the decrease in firmness, TSS, TA, and ascorbic acid value, and do not impair surface color during postharvest storage. Moreover, the increase in MDA (malondialdehyde) content and increase in cell membrane permeability of fruit treated by D. nepalensis was highly inhibited. The results suggested D. nepalensis treatment could not only maintain storage quality of mango fruit, but also decrease the decay incidence to anthracnose disease. All these results indicated that D. nepalensis has great potential for development of commercial formulations to control postharvest pathogens of mango fruit.
Successful treatment with intravenous high‐dose immunoglobulin for cardiomyopathy in dermatomyositis complicated with rapid progressive interstitial pneumonia
Authors: Yoshimatsu Yuki , Kotani Takuya , Fujiki Youhei , Oda Katsuhiro , Kataoka Toshiya , Yamairi Kazushi , Hata Kenichiro , Otani Kenichiro , Kamimori Takao , Fujiwara Hiroshi
Published: October 2015

Cardiomyopathy and rapid progressive interstitial pneumonia (IP) are potentially fatal complications in polymyositis/dermatomyositis. We experienced a dermatomyositis patient with multiple adverse prognostic factors, complicating rapid progressive IP, macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), and cardiomyopathy. IP and MAS improved with strong immunosuppressive therapy, despite which cardiomyopathy developed. Therefore, we applied intravenous high‐dose immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg), and cardiac function improved dramatically. This is the first report to present the effectiveness of IVIg for cardiomyopathy in dermatomyositis.
An observational study of the ‘isolated forearm technique’ in unparalysed, spontaneously breathing patients
Authors: Pandit J. J.
Published: October 2015

The isolated forearm technique enables a patient, otherwise paralysed by neuromuscular blockade, to communicate by movement if wakeful during surgery. The positive response rate to verbal command is high (~32%). The 5th National Audit Project recommended that this monitoring technique should become more widely taught and considered, so this study was designed to assess its utility as a standard of care in unparalysed patients. A positive response rate as high as in the paralysed would justify local adoption. Therefore, 100 consecutive patients undergoing urology surgery were given verbal commands to move at two‐minute intervals from induction of anaesthesia (fentanyl and propofol) to full emergence and extubation of the supraglottic airway. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen/nitrous oxide. Although 24 patients moved during surgery (and therefore needed additional anaesthetic), none moved to verbal command. Even at extubation, when patients moved to expel the airway, there was no response to command until after wakening. These results suggest that in contrast to its use in paralysed patients, the isolated forearm technique does not yield useful information about the patient's state of wakefulness in the unparalysed. Another interpretation is that unparalysed patients are less prone to wakefulness than the paralysed.
Antiarrhythmic Action of Flecainide in Polymorphic Ventricular Arrhythmias Caused by a Gain‐of‐Function Mutation in the Nav1.5 Sodium Channel
Authors: Amarouch Mohamed Y. , Swan Heikki , Leinonen Jaakko , Marjamaa Annukka , Lahtinen Annukka M. , Kontula Kimmo , Toivonen Lauri , Widen Elisabeth , Abriel Hugues
Published: October 2015

Background

The cardiac sodium channel Nav1.5, encoded by the gene SCN5A, is associated with a wide spectrum of hereditary arrhythmias. The gain‐of‐function mutation p.I141V in SCN5A was identified in a large multigenerational family with exercise‐induced polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the molecular and clinical effects of flecainide administration on patients with this syndrome.

Methods

Eleven p.I141V carriers who exhibited frequent multiformic premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) during exercise were subjected to exercise stress tests, both before and after intravenous infusion of 2 mg/kg flecainide. The in vitro effects of flecainide were evaluated using the patch‐clamp technique with HEK293 cells expressing the Nav1.5 channel.

Results

The flecainide treatment significantly reduced the frequency of PVCs during and after exercise. Next, the sensitivity of the p.I141V mutant channel to flecainide was compared to that of the wild type channel. Perfusion of flecainide inhibited the peak and window currents in both groups.

Conclusion

The clinical investigations of the affected patients, as well as the molecular and pharmacological characterization of the SCN5A p.I141V mutation, provide new evidence supporting the association of this mutation with exercise‐induced polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias. These data also demonstrate that flecainide may serve as an effective treatment for the defect in Nav1.5 that leads to an increased sodium window current.