bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of hydrothermal processing on the proximate composition and organoleptic characteristics of dehulledMoringa oleiferaseeds
Authors: Ogunsina Babatunde Sunday , Olumakaiye Motunrayo Funke , Chinma Chiemela Eyinnaya , Akomolafe Opeyemi Paul
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the effect of hydrothermal treatment by conventional, microwave and pressure cooking on the cooking properties, proximate composition and organoleptic characteristics of dehulledMoringa oleiferaseeds.

Design/methodology/approach

– Samples ofMoringa oleiferaseeds were subjected to cooking for the minimum time by each of the methods under study. Cooking properties, proximate composition and organoleptic characteristics were determined following standard analytical procedures.

Findings

– The results showed that the average cooking time were 25, 30 and 40 mins for conventionally, pressure- and microwave-cooked moringa kernels, respectively. There was no significant difference in cooking weight, moisture absorbed and water uptake ratio of conventionally and pressure-cooked samples. The protein content of moringa kernel reduced from 41.9 for raw kernels to 40.2, 41.2 and 36.9 per cent for conventionally, pressure- and microwave-cooked samples, respectively. Pressure and microwave cooking indicated 40.1 and 39.3 g/100g of crude fat, whereas raw kernels indicated 37.1 g/100g. Conventionally and pressure-cooked kernels had lower fibre content than the raw kernels, but there was no significant difference in the ash contents of the samples. Cooking influenced the proximate composition and colour of moringa kernels. Microwave cooking indicated higher values of cookability than other cooking methods considered in this study, but no significant difference was observed in the organoleptic characteristics of moringa kernels due to the cooking methods.

Practical implications

– Given the high protein and vital nutrients content which are seldom found in daily diets, moringa kernels may be considered by processors of edible nuts and kernels for food-based applications such as cooked, roasted, mixed or spiced kernels.

Originality/value

– This work is perhaps the first to document moringa seeds processing by hydrothermal treatment.
Anti‐biofilm and bactericidal effects of magnolia bark‐derived magnolol and honokiol on Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Sakaue Yuuki , Domon Hisanori , Oda Masataka , Takenaka Shoji , Kubo Miwa , Fukuyama Yoshiyasu , Okiji Takashi , Terao Yutaka
Published: November 2015

Dental caries affects people of all ages and is a worldwide health concern. Streptococcus mutans is a major cariogenic bacterium because of its ability to form biofilm and induce an acidic environment. In this study, the antibacterial activities of magnolol and honokiol, the main constituents of the bark of magnolia plants, toward planktonic cell and biofilm of S. mutans were examined and compared with those of chlorhexidine. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of magnolol, honokiol and chlorhexidine for S. mutans were 10, 10 and 0.25 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, each agent showed bactericidal activity against S. mutans planktonic cells and inhibited biofilm formation in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Magnolol (50 µg/mL) had greater bactericidal activity against S. mutans biofilm than honokiol (50 µg/mL) and chlorhexidine (500 µg/mL) at 5 min after exposure, while all showed scant activity against biofilm at 30 s. Furthermore; chlorhexidine (0.5–500 µg/mL) exhibited high cellular toxicity for the gingival epithelial cell line Ca9‐22 at 1 hr, whereas magnolol (50 µg/mL) and honokiol (50 µg/mL) did not. Thus; it was found that magnolol has antimicrobial activities against planktonic and biofilm cells of S. mutans. Magnolol may be a candidate for prevention and management of dental caries.
Con‐forming bodies: the interplay of machines and bodies and the implications of agency in medical imaging
Authors: Wood Lisa A.
Published: November 2015

Attending to the material discursive constructions of the patient body within cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging in radiotherapy treatments, in this paper I describe how bodies and machines co‐create images. Using an analytical framework inspired by Science and Technology Studies and Feminist Technoscience, I describe the interplay between machines and bodies and the implications of materialities and agency. I argue that patients’ bodies play a part in producing scans within acceptable limits of machines as set out through organisational arrangements. In doing so I argue that bodies are fabricated into the order of work prescribed and embedded within and around the CBCT system, becoming, not only the subject of resulting images, but part of that image. The scan is not therefore a representation of a passive subject (a body) but co‐produced by the work of practitioners and patients who actively control (and contort) and discipline their body according to protocols and instructions and the CBCT system. In this way I suggest they are ‘con‐forming’ the CBCT image. A Virtual Abstract of this paper can be found at: https://youtu.be/qysCcBGuNSM.
Expanding the Australian Empire?: The Australian Council for the World Council of Churches, the Menzies Government and the New Hebrides in the late 1950s
Authors: Waters Christopher
Published: November 2015

In the late 1950s the Australian Council for the World Council of Churches (AC‐WCC) inspired primarily by the Presbyterian Church, undertook a concerted campaign to pressure the Australian government to assume a greater role in the affairs of the New Hebrides. The AC‐WCC wanted the Australian government to take over the United Kingdom's role in the administration of the Anglo‐French Condominium. It was motivated to undertake this campaign by the dismal social and economic conditions in the islands, the neglect of the British and French colonial authorities, and their failure to offer the indigenous people a way forward to self‐government. The high point of the campaign was a meeting between Robert Menzies, the Australian prime minister and a delegation from the AC‐WCC in early 1958. As a result of this meeting Australian ministers and officials, for the final time, gave extended consideration to expanding Australia's empire in the South Pacific to include the New Hebrides. This article examines the AC‐WCC's campaign, explores the Australian government's response, and analyses the outcome of this important episode in Australia's involvement in the colonial territories of the South Pacific.
Age‐related incidence of cervical cancer supports two aetiological components: a population‐based register study
Authors: Seppä K , Pitkäniemi J , Malila N , Hakama M
Published: November 2015

Objective

To assess whether age‐related incidence of cervical cancer supports two aetiological components and to assess trends in these components due to risk factors and to organised screening in Finland.

Design

Population‐based register study.

Setting

Finnish Cancer Registry.

Population

Cervical cancer cases and female population in Finland in 1953–2012.

Methods

Cervical cancer incidence was estimated using Poisson regression where age‐specific incidence consists of two (early‐age and late‐age) normally distributed components.

Main outcome measures

Accumulated net risks (incidences) and numbers of cancer cases attributed to each age‐related component by calendar time.

Results

The accumulated cervical cancer incidence in 2008–2012 was only 30% of that in 1953–1962, before the screening started. The fit of the observed age‐specific rates and the rates based on the two‐component model was good. In 1953–62, the accumulated net risk ratio (RR; early‐age versus late‐age) was 0.42 (95% CI 0.29–0.61). The early‐age component disappeared in 1973–77 (RR 0.00; 95% CI 0.00–0.08). Thereafter, the risk for the early‐age component increased, whereas the risk for the late‐age component decreased, and in 2008–2012 the RR was 0.55 (95% CI 0.24–0.89).

Conclusions

In Finland, cervical cancer incidence has two age‐related components which are likely to indicate differences in risk factors of each component. The trend in risk of both components followed the effects of organised screening. Furthermore, the risk related to the early‐age component followed changes in risk factors, such as oncogenic HPV infections and other sexually transmitted diseases and smoking habits.

Tweetable abstract

Cervical cancer incidence has two age‐related components which are likely to have differencies in their aetiology.
Management of mental health patients in Victorian emergency departments: A 10 year follow‐up study
Authors: Alarcon Manchego Peter , Knott Jonathan , Graudins Andis , Bartley Bruce , Mitra Biswadev
Published: November 2015

Objectives

Despite efforts to restructure mental health (MH) services across Victoria, the social and economic burden of MH illness continues to grow. This study compares MH presentations to EDs with a study undertaken 10 years earlier.

Methods

The article is a retrospective observational study of MH presentations to four Victorian EDs between May and October 2013. Subjects were included if the presentation was MH related as determined by an International Classification of Diseases (version 10) discharge diagnosis, they were referred to an emergency crisis assessment team or had a documented presenting psychiatric complaint. Variables were extracted from electronic medical records and compared with 2004 data from a previous published study.

Results

There were 5659 MH presentations over the 5 months compared with 2788 in 2004. The median ED length of stay decreased from 4:18 h in 2004 to 3:20 h in 2013 (P < 0.001), with a significant reduction in length of stay >4 h from 52.5% to 35.4% (P < 0.001). There was a 22‐fold increase in short stay units as discharge destination from 0.9% to 20.2% (P < 0.001). Patients presenting with concurrent methamphetamine exposure doubled from 2.2% of presentations to 4.3% (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Despite increasing MH‐related presentations, changes in ED practice have allowed improvements in delivery of care through a shortened ED length of stay and the virtual elimination of very long stays over 24 h. However, there continues to be significant variability in management and performance across hospital sites. Identifying which interventions lead to standout site performance, and subsequent application more broadly, may improve future ED delivery of care.
Further insight into reproductive incompatibility between putative cryptic species of the Bemisia tabaci whitefly complex
Authors: Qin Li , Pan Li‐Long , Liu Shu‐Sheng
Published: November 2015

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), with its global distribution and extensive genetic diversity, is now known to be a complex of over 35 cryptic species. However, a satisfactory resolution of the systematics of this species complex is yet to be achieved. Here, we designed experiments to examine reproductive compatibility among species with different levels of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) divergence. The data show that putative species with mtCOI divergence of >8% between them consistently exhibited complete reproductive isolation. However, two of the putative species, Asia II 9 and Asia II 3, with mtCOI divergence of 4.47% between them, exhibited near complete reproductive compatibility in one direction of their cross, and partial reproductive compatibility in the other direction. Together with some recent reports on this topic from the literature, our data indicates that, while divergence in the mtCOI sequences provides a valid molecular marker for species delimitation in most clades, more genetic markers and more sophisticated molecular phylogeny will be required to achieve adequate delimitation of all species in this whitefly complex. While many attempts have been made to examine the reproductive compatibility among genetic groups of the B. tabaci complex, our study represents the first effort to conduct crossing experiments with putative species that were chosen with considerations of their genetic divergence. In light of the new data, we discuss the best strategy and protocols to conduct further molecular phylogenetic analysis and crossing trials, in order to reveal the overall pattern of reproductive incompatibility among species of this whitefly complex.
Genome‐wide microarray screening for Bombyx mori genes related to transmitting the determination outcome of whether to produce diapause or nondiapause eggs
Authors: Akitomo Shion , Egi Yuichi , Nakamura Yuki , Suetsugu Yoshitaka , Oishi Katsutaka , Sakamoto Katsuhiko
Published: November 2015

The bivoltine silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) exhibits a maternally controlled embryonic diapause. Maternal silkworms decide whether to lay diapause or nondiapause eggs depending on environmental factors such as the temperature and photoperiod during the egg and larval stages, and then induce diapause eggs during the pupal stage. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism that conveys the outcome of whether to produce diapause or nondiapause eggs from the egg or larval stages to the pupal stage. This study used microarray analysis to investigate differentially expressed genes in the larval brains of diapause‐ and nondiapause‐egg producers, to which bivoltine silkworms were destined by thermal or photic stimulation during the egg stage. The cytochrome P450 18a1 and Krüppel homolog 1 genes were upregulated in producers of diapause eggs compared with those of nondiapause eggs under both experimental conditions. Cytochrome P450 18a1 encodes a key enzyme for steroid hormone inactivation and Krüppel homolog 1 is an early juvenile hormone‐inducible gene that mediates the repression of metamorphosis. The upregulation of these genes during the larval stage might be involved in the signaling pathway that transmits information about the diapause program from the egg stage to the pupal stage in the silkworm.
Israeli survey of anesthesia practice related to placenta previa and accreta
Authors: Ioscovich A. , Shatalin D. , Butwick A. J. , Ginosar Y. , Orbach‐Zinger S. , Weiniger C. F.
Published: November 2015

Background

Anesthesia practices for placenta previa (PP) and accreta (PA) impact hemorrhage management and other supportive strategies. We conducted a survey to assess reported management of PP and PA in all Israeli labor and delivery units.

Methods

After Institutional Review Board waiver, we surveyed all 26 Israeli hospitals with a labor and delivery unit by directly contacting the representatives of obstetric anesthesiology services in every department (unit director or department chair). Each director surveyed provided information about the anesthetic and transfusion management in their labor and delivery units for three types of abnormal placentation based on antenatal placental imaging: PP, low suspicion for PA, and high suspicion for PA. The primary outcome was use of neuraxial or general anesthesia for PP and PA Cesarean delivery. Univariate statistics were used for survey responses using counts and percentages.

Results

The response rate was 100%. Spinal anesthesia is the preferred anesthetic mode for PP cases, used in 17/26 (65.4%) of labor and delivery units. By comparison, most representatives reported that they perform general anesthesia for patients with PA: 18/26 (69.2%) for all low suspicion cases of PA and 25/26 (96.2%) for all high suspicion cases of PA. Although a massive transfusion protocol was available in the majority of hospitals (84.6%), the availability of thromboelastography and cell salvage was much lower (53.8% and 19.2% hospitals respectively).

Conclusions

In our survey, representatives of anesthesia labor and delivery services in Israel are almost exclusively using general anesthesia for women with high suspicion for PA; however, almost two‐thirds use spinal anesthesia for PP without suspicion of PA. Among representatives, we found wide variations in anesthesia practice patterns with regard to anesthesia mode, multidisciplinary management, and hemorrhage anticipation strategies.
Integrating smoking cessation into routine care in hospitals—a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Thomas D. , Abramson M. J. , Bonevski B. , Taylor S. , Poole S. G. , Paul E. , Weeks G. R. , Dooley M. J. , George J.
Published: November 2015

Aims

To evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist‐led multi‐component smoking cessation programme (GIVE UP FOR GOOD) compared with usual care in hospitalized smokers.

Design

Randomized, assessor‐blinded, parallel‐group trial.

Setting

Three tertiary public hospitals in Australia.

Participants

A total of 600 adult in‐patient smokers [mean ± standard deviation (SD), age 51 ± 14 years; 64% male] available for 12 months follow‐up.

Interventions

Multi‐component hospital pharmacist‐led behavioural counselling and/or pharmacotherapy provided during hospital stay, on discharge and 1 month post‐discharge, with further support involving community health professionals (n = 300). Usual care comprised routine care provided by hospitals (n = 300).

Measurements

Two primary end‐points were tested using intention‐to‐treat analysis: carbon monoxide (CO)‐validated 1‐month sustained abstinence at 6‐month follow‐up and verified 6‐month sustained abstinence at 12‐month follow‐up. Smoking status and pharmacotherapy usage were assessed at baseline, discharge, 1, 6 and 12 months.

Findings

Sustained abstinence rates for intervention and control groups were not significantly different at both 6 months [11.6% (34 of 294) versus 12.6% (37 of 294); odds ratio (OR) = 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.55–1.50] and 12 months [11.6% (34 of 292) versus 11.2% (33 of 294); OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.63–1.73]. Secondary end‐points, self‐reported continuous abstinence at 6 and 12 months, also agreed with the primary end‐points. Use of pharmacotherapy was higher in the intervention group, both during hospital stay [52.3% (157 of 300) versus 42.7% (128 of 300); P = 0.016] and after discharge [59.6% (174 of 292) versus 43.5% (128 of 294); P < 0.001].

Conclusions

A pharmacist‐led multi‐component smoking cessation intervention provided during hospital stay did not improve sustained abstinence rates at either 6 or 12 months compared with routine hospital care.
Consensus statement on prevention and detection of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Authors: Boothroyd Clare , Karia Sonal , Andreadis Natasha , Rombauts Luk , Johnson Neil , Chapman Michael ,   the Australasian CREI Consensus Expert Panel on Trial evidence (ACCEPT) group
Published: November 2015

Background

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is an important condition with considerable morbidity and a small risk of mortality, which most commonly results as an iatrogenic condition following follicular stimulation of the ovaries.

Aim

To produce evidence‐based and consensus statements on the prevention and detection of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Method

The CREI Consensus Group met in 2008 and identified issues for inclusion and review. Review of the available evidence was conducted and consensus statements prepared. Areas of dissent of expert opinion and for further research were noted.

Results

The group considered that there is a need for standardisation of the definition and classification of the clinical syndrome of OHSS to allow further conclusive research. Interventions with evidence of effect in reducing OHSS include the use of metformin in women with PCOS, use of GnRH antagonist rather than GnRH agonist and use of GnRH agonist triggers in GnRH antagonist stimulation cycles. The consensus view was that reducing the dose of FSH, freezing all embryos and transferring a single embryo were appropriate interventions to reduce OHSS. Agreement could not be reached on coasting, the lowest number of oocytes to consider freezing all embryos and management after cancellation of oocyte collection.

Conclusion

OHSS is a serious condition for which there are a number of proven preventative strategies. OHSS is an area requiring ongoing research and development of a universally agreed definition will allow development of optimal prevention strategies and facilitate improved early detection of women at risk.
Maternal demographics and hemodynamics for the prediction of fetal growth restriction at booking, in pregnancies at high risk for placental insufficiency
Authors: Stott Daniel , Bolten Mareike , Salman Mona , Paraschiv Daniela , Clark Katherine , Kametas Nikos A.
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with poor perinatal outcomes. Screening and prevention tools for FGR, such as uterine artery Doppler imaging and aspirin, underperform in high‐risk groups, compared with general antenatal populations. There is a paucity of sensitive screening tests for the early prediction of FGR in high‐risk pregnancies.

Materials and Methods

This was a prospective observational study based in a dedicated antenatal hypertension clinic at a tertiary UK hospital. We assessed maternal demographic and central hemodynamic variables as predictors for FGR in a group of women at high risk for placental insufficiency due to chronic hypertension (n = 55) or a history of hypertension in a previous pregnancy (n = 71). Outcome variables were birthweight z‐score as well as development of FGR (defined as birthweight below the 5th or 3rd centile). Maternal hemodynamics were assessed using a noninvasive transthoracic bioreactance monitor (Cheetah NICOM).

Results

The mean gestation at presentation was 13.6 (range: 8.5–19.5) weeks. Sixteen women delivered babies below the 5th centile. Ten of these were below the 3rd centile. Independent predictors of birthweight z‐score were body surface area, peripheral vascular resistance and white ethnicity (R2 = 0.26, p < 0.0001). Independent predictors of FGR were maternal height and cardiac output. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for prediction of FGR was 0.915 (95% CI 0.859–0.972) and 0.9079 (95% CI 0.823–0.990) for FGR below the 5th and 3rd centiles, respectively.

Conclusion

In women with chronic hypertension or a history of hypertension in a previous pregnancy, maternal size and cardiac output at booking provide a sensitive screening tool for FGR.
Inter‐ and intra‐patient clonal and subclonal heterogeneity of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: evidences from circulating and lymph nodal compartments
Authors: Del Giudice Ilaria , Marinelli Marilisa , Wang Jiguang , Bonina Silvia , Messina Monica , Chiaretti Sabina , Ilari Caterina , Cafforio Luciana , Raponi Sara , Mauro Francesca R. , Di Maio Valeria , De Propris Maria S. , Nanni Mauro , Ciardullo Carmela , Rossi Davide , Gaidano Gianluca , Guarini Anna , Rabadan Raul , Foà Robin
Published: November 2015

Whole exome sequencing and copy number aberration (CNA) analysis were performed on cells taken from peripheral blood (PB) and lymph nodes (LN) of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Of 64 non‐silent somatic mutations, 54 (84·4%) were clonal in both compartments, 3 (4·7%) were PB‐specific and 7 (10·9%) were LN‐specific. Most of the LN‐ or PB‐specific mutations were subclonal in the other corresponding compartment (variant frequency 0·5–5·3%). Of 41 CNAs, 27 (65·8%) were shared by both compartments and 7 (17·1%) were LN‐ or PB‐specific. Overall, 6 of 9 cases (66·7%) showed genomic differences between the compartments. At subsequent relapse, Case 10, with 6 LN‐specific lesions, and Case 100, with 6 LN‐specific and 8 PB‐specific lesions, showed, in the PB, the clonal expansion of LN‐derived lesions with an adverse impact: SF3B1 mutation, BIRC3 deletion, del8(p23·3‐p11·1), del9(p24·3‐p13·1) and gain 2(p25·3‐p14). CLL shows an intra‐patient clonal heterogeneity according to the disease compartment, with both LN and PB‐specific mutations/CNAs. The LN microenvironment might contribute to the clonal selection of unfavourable lesions, as LN‐derived mutations/CNAs can appear in the PB at relapse.
Measuring Multinationals' R&D Activities in China on the Basis of a Patent Database: Comparing European, Japanese and US Firms
Authors: Motohashi Kazuyuki
Published: November 2015

Using an internationally linked patent database, this paper compares the types of R&D activities undertaken by multinationals in China by home country and industry. In China, multinationals recently began investing in R&D, mainly in the areas of product and manufacturing process development. However, US firms, which are the most actively invested in R&D, are involved in some technology‐driven R&D activities; European firms are inclined toward market‐driven R&D, while Japanese firms, which lag behind the other two, focus on production‐driven R&D. This pattern may be related to the relative competitiveness of each country: Japanese firms are strong in electronics and automobiles, where production process improvement is important, while US firms flourish in science‐based industries, such as pharmaceuticals and software, where interacting with the local science base is a critical factor.
State Absence and State Formation in Solomon Islands: Reflections on Agency, Scale and Hybridity
Authors: Dinnen Sinclair , Allen Matthew
Published: November 2015

This article engages ethnographic research on perceptions of disputation, justice and security in rural Solomon Islands to reflect on issues of agency, power and scale in areas of limited statehood. Set against widespread popular perceptions of state retreat in Solomon Islands, the authors situate their study within the literature which addresses engagements with conflict‐affected and fragile countries and, in particular, literature with an interest in the spaces created by prolonged state absence as potential sites of innovation and transformation. The article examines the role of agency and power at different scales in the highly contested processes of state formation underway in post‐conflict Solomon Islands. Taking issue with the presumed privileging by local actors of non‐state over state forms that runs through much of the hybridity literature, the authors suggest that international ‘state‐building’ interventions, such as that recently experienced in Solomon Islands, require a more nuanced and historically informed understanding of local agency vis‐à‐vis the state in fragile and conflict‐affected settings.
Rethinking Livelihood Impacts of Biofuel Land Deals in Ghana
Authors: Boamah Festus , Overå Ragnhild
Published: November 2015

During the last decade, debates about the livelihood impacts of large‐scale biofuel projects have focused mainly on either employment creation or on land dispossession. The mediating role of social institutions and communal reciprocity in resource‐access manoeuvring processes have rarely been considered. This comparative study of two biofuel projects in Ghana shows that households affected by land dispossession quickly obtained new productive land areas by switching to fallow farmland or through long‐term reciprocal social networks. The livelihoods of households with members employed by the projects improved in terms of increased income and access to cultivation on project land. Not everyone, however, had the resources and ability to use social networks for job‐seeking and land access negotiation, particularly those considered to be migrants. The authors argue that a context‐specific focus on, and processual examination of, the abilities of individuals and groups to utilize social institutions to sustain their livelihoods during a project's lifetime, are crucial in analysing the impacts of biofuels land deals. Such an approach explores the various forms and uses of livelihood capitals, and shows how new configurations of social and economic relations emerging from land commercialization can reinforce local inequalities.
Can a simple test of functional capacity add to the clinical assessment of diabetes?
Authors: Stewart T. , Caffrey D. G. , Gilman R. H. , Mathai S. C. , Lerner A. , Hernandez A. , Pinto M. E. , Huaylinos Y. , Cabrera L. , Wise R. A. , Miranda J. J. , Checkley W.
Published: November 2015

Aim

To identify impairment in functional capacity associated with complicated and non‐complicated diabetes using the 6‐min walk distance test.

Methods

We enrolled 111 adults, aged ≥40 years, with Type 2 diabetes from a hospital facility and 150 healthy control subjects of similar age and sex from a community site in Lima, Peru. All participants completed a 6‐min walk test.

Results

The mean age of the 261 participants was 58.3 years, and 43.3% were male. Among those with diabetes, 67 (60%) had non‐complicated diabetes and 44 (40%) had complications such as peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy or nephropathy. The mean unadjusted 6‐min walk distances were 376 m and 394 m in adults with and without diabetes complications, respectively, vs 469 m in control subjects (P<0.001). In multivariable regression, the subjects with diabetes complications walked 84 m less far (95% CI ‐104 to ‐63 m) and those without complications walked 60 m less far (‐77 to ‐42 m) than did control subjects. When using HbA1c level as a covariate in multivariable regression, participants walked 13 m less far (‐16.9 to ‐9.9 m) for each % increase in HbA1c.

Conclusions

The subjects with diabetes had lower functional capacity compared with healthy control subjects with similar characteristics. Differences in 6‐min walk distance were even apparent in the subjects without diabetes complications. Potential mechanisms that could explain this finding are early cardiovascular disease or deconditioning.
Borjo Coffeehouse: Franchise, Independence, and Starbucks
Authors: Nair Anil , Weber Thomas
Published: November 2015

The case describes decisions faced by Rob Loomis and Jon Pruden, the cofounders of a coffeehouse, and how they resolved them. First, their coffeehouse franchise experienced disappointing results—they decided to close it and reopen as an independent coffeehouse. Shortly thereafter, they had to respond to an existential challenge to their business—the entry of Starbucks across the street. The case describes Rob's decision to persist despite Starbucks’ entry, and his strategic, operational, and tactical moves to ensure growth. A key dilemma that Rob faced was whether his initial success against Starbucks was sustainable. An underlying theme of the case is that entrepreneurial success requires persistent improvisation to adapt to dynamic and uncertain environments.
Arabic Spelling: Errors, Perceptions, and Strategies
Authors: Brosh Hezi
Published: November 2015

This study investigated common spelling errors among first language English speakers who study Arabic at the college level. A sample of 63 students (45 males and 18 females) was asked to write texts about a variety of topics and then to answer survey questions regarding their perceptions and strategies. Their writing produced 457 spelling errors, which were examined and classified. The results demonstrate that the spelling skill is developmental and that it offers a necessary structure for students to master key elements of Arabic. The wide variety of spelling errors made by participants points to their unsatisfactory awareness of the language's phonology, morphology, and orthography aspects. Participants perceived an important connection between the spelling skill and such other skills as reading, writing, and pronunciation, but they perceived its development as challenging, due to insufficient practice. Their strategies for memorizing words included using textbooks and online dictionaries, repetition and practice, and simply sounding out the words. The results indicated potential implications that current and future Arabic instructors can use to help students develop the spelling skill.
Teacher vs. Peer Oral Corrective Feedback in the German Language Classroom
Authors: Sippel Lieselotte , Jackson Carrie N.
Published: November 2015

This classroom study investigated the effects of oral teacher and peer corrective feedback on the acquisition of the German present perfect tense, including auxiliary verb selection (a rule‐based structure) and past participle formation (an item‐based structure). Intermediate learners of German were assigned to a teacher feedback condition, a peer feedback condition, or a control group. Learners in the teacher feedback group were corrected by their course instructor, while learners in the peer feedback group were trained to provide guidance to each other at the beginning of a two‐day instructional treatment. Results from both an immediate and delayed posttest showed that while both experimental groups significantly improved in grammatical accuracy with both auxiliary selection and the past participle, the largest improvement was seen among the learners in the peer feedback group. These findings suggest that peer corrective feedback heightens learners' awareness of linguistic forms and that learners who provide such feedback may benefit not only from receiving but also from providing it. The results further demonstrate that peer feedback can be effective with less‐proficient learners and with different types of grammatical structures.
Beyond Classroom Discourse: Learning as Participation in Native Speaker–Learner and Learner–Learner Interactions
Authors: Hoshi Saori
Published: November 2015

Consistent with the notion of learning as changing participation (Lave & Wenger, 1991; Rogoff, 1998; Sfard, 1998; Young & Miller, 2004), the present qualitative study investigated how social interaction between learners of Japanese as a foreign language and native speaker classroom guests contributed to the students' use of second language (L2) linguistic resources in their productive performance over time. Specifically, the study considered the kinds of L2 linguistic resources that were made available to learners during guided interpersonal interactions with native speaker guests. Findings suggest that participants' nonpedagogical interaction with a more knowledgeable native speaker interlocutor provided a wider range of linguistic resources than instructor‐fronted instruction and that those linguistic forms were taken up by the learners and then appropriated in subsequent activities with peers.
Global impacts of the 1980s regime shift
Authors: Reid Philip C. , Hari Renata E. , Beaugrand Grégory , Livingstone David M. , Marty Christoph , Straile Dietmar , Barichivich Jonathan , Goberville Eric , Adrian Rita , Aono Yasuyuki , Brown Ross , Foster James , Groisman Pavel , Hélaouët Pierre , Hsu Huang‐Hsiung , Kirby Richard , Knight Jeff , Kraberg Alexandra , Li Jianping , Lo Tzu‐Ting , Myneni Ranga B. , North Ryan P. , Pounds J. Alan , Sparks Tim , Stübi René , Tian Yongjun , Wiltshire Karen H. , Xiao Dong , Zhu Zaichun
Published: November 2015

Despite evidence from a number of Earth systems that abrupt temporal changes known as regime shifts are important, their nature, scale and mechanisms remain poorly documented and understood. Applying principal component analysis, change‐point analysis and a sequential t‐test analysis of regime shifts to 72 time series, we confirm that the 1980s regime shift represented a major change in the Earth's biophysical systems from the upper atmosphere to the depths of the ocean and from the Arctic to the Antarctic, and occurred at slightly different times around the world. Using historical climate model simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) and statistical modelling of historical temperatures, we then demonstrate that this event was triggered by rapid global warming from anthropogenic plus natural forcing, the latter associated with the recovery from the El Chichón volcanic eruption. The shift in temperature that occurred at this time is hypothesized as the main forcing for a cascade of abrupt environmental changes. Within the context of the last century or more, the 1980s event was unique in terms of its global scope and scale; our observed consequences imply that if unavoidable natural events such as major volcanic eruptions interact with anthropogenic warming unforeseen multiplier effects may occur.
Obesity and metabolic syndrome: pathological effects on the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Feakins Roger M
Published: November 2015

Obesity is an increasingly common problem worldwide and a risk factor for a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, both non‐neoplastic (e.g. gastro‐oesophageal reflux and Barrett's oesophagus) and neoplastic (e.g. oesophageal adenocarcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, and gallbladder cancer). Furthermore, obesity is associated with worse GI cancer outcomes. Body mass index is a commonly used measure of fat accumulation, although specific patterns such as abdominal/central obesity and visceral fat quantity sometimes predict disease risk more accurately. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a related condition characterized by central adiposity and insulin resistance. The reasons for the associations with neoplasia are diverse. Established cancer‐related conditions that have a higher prevalence in overweight subjects include Barrett's oesophagus and gallstones. Preneoplastic lesions such as colorectal adenoma, colorectal serrated lesions and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia are also associated with obesity/MS. At the cellular level, adipocytes can release carcinogens such as adipokines, insulin‐like growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Inflammatory cells constitute a further potential source of carcinogens; in obese subjects, their numbers are increased systemically and in adipose tissue. Animal studies have contributed additional information. For example, mice with a genetic predisposition to develop colorectal carcinoma given a high‐fat diet have larger and more numerous intestinal adenomas than controls, and there may be demonstrably higher levels of mucosal oncogenic factors. The associations between obesity and GI disease are of variable strength, and the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood, but it is clear that obesity and MS have a significant, potentially avoidable and often under‐recognized impact on the population burden of GI disease.
Medullary carcinoma of the small bowel
Authors: Brcic Iva , Cathomas Gieri , Vanoli Alessandro , Jilek Kurt , Giuffrida Paolo , Langner Cord
Published: November 2015

Aims

Medullary carcinoma of the large bowel occurs mainly right‐sided in elderly females. The tumour is almost invariably microsatellite instable and has been associated with favourable outcome. Our study aimed to present three cases of medullary carcinoma originating from the small bowel.

Methods and results

We describe three cases of small bowel medullary carcinoma. Two patients had coeliac disease, diagnosed at the ages of 79 and 71 years, respectively. The tumours showed the characteristic syncytial growth pattern with marked intratumoral lymphocytic inflammation. Loss of MutL homologue 1 (MLH1) [and postmeiotic segregation increased 2 (S. cerevisiae) PMS2] expression was observed in all cases, consistent with high‐level microsatellite instability. All tumours were negative for Epstein–Barr virus. Follow‐up information was available for one patient, who is recurrence‐free 6 years after resection.

Discussion

Medullary carcinoma of the small bowel is exceedingly rare. Our data and a review of the literature suggest that this tumour type is characteristic for coeliac disease and may be the histological type underlying small bowel cancers with high‐level microsatellite instability in patients with coeliac disease.
Retracted: Evaluation of the incidence of microcracks caused by Mtwo and ProTaper NEXT rotary file systems versus the Self Adjusting File: a scanning electron microscopic study
Authors: Saha S. G. , Vijaywargiya N. , Dubey S. , Saxena D. , Kala S.
Published: November 2015

The following article from International Endodontic Journal, ‘Evaluation of the incidence of microcracks caused by Mtwo and ProTaper NEXT rotary file systems versus the Self Adjusting File: a scanning electron microscopic study’ by S. G. Saha, N. Vijaywargiya, S. Dubey, D. Saxena & S. Kala, published online on 24 November 2015 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor in Chief, Prof. Paul Dummer, and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to the consideration that the SEM methodology used by the authors has the potential to cause cracks and is thus is not suitable for the evaluation of micro‐cracks in roots.
Impedance Spectroscopy, Broadband, and Microwave Dielectric Properties of Mechanically Alloyed Ba5Nb4O15 Ceramics
Authors: Anil Kumar Chikkala , Josephine Sylvester , Pamu Dobbidi
Published: November 2015

Ba5Nb4O15 (BNO) ceramics were synthesized by the mechanical alloying method. The transmission electron microscope images of BNO powders revealed rod‐shaped grains. Mechanically alloyed BNO exhibited maximum density of 97.3% and is explained on the basis of Herring's scaling law. Both the dielectric constant and loss tangent show a stable response up to 0.2 GHz. Further, the dielectric response of BNO ceramics measured above 350°C shows relaxation behavior and is explained using Havriliak–Negami equation. The obtained stable dielectric response of BNO is suitable for type I capacitor and dielectric resonator applications.
Consumers’ subjective and objective consumerism knowledge and subsequent complaint behaviour concerning consumer electronics: a South African perspective
Authors: Donoghue Suné , van Oordt Chanelle , Strydom Nina
Published: November 2015

Although there is immense international support for consumer protection, the notion exists that consumer protection can only exist in developed countries with ample fiscal resources and expertise to properly act in the interest of consumers. This conception leaves consumers in emerging and transitional economies in a difficult position as these economies indeed generally lack sufficient funding and the required capacity to educate consumers on their rights. With the South African Consumer Protection Act that came into effect in 2011, South African consumers can now claim to be among the best protected consumers in the world. However, many consumers are still not aware of their consumer rights, and do not have the necessary knowledge to pursue redress when they are dissatisfied. The objective of this research was therefore to explore and describe the relationship between consumers’ knowledge of consumerism (consumer protection) and their consumer complaint behaviour (CCB) concerning their dissatisfaction with a technologically advanced product, in this case, a consumer electronic product. This study attempts to differentiate between subjective consumerism knowledge and objective consumerism knowledge and by extension the measures used. In addition, we explored and described the relationship between demographic variables and levels of subjective and objective consumerism knowledge as well as the combined effect of the two types of knowledge on CCB. The findings revealed that the respondents had a reasonable level of subjective consumerism knowledge relative to a low level of objective consumerism knowledge. No significant relationship was found between subjective consumerism knowledge and demographic variables. However, the factors of race, gender and level of income were related to objective knowledge. A higher level of subjective knowledge could be associated with public action. Respondents with reasonable levels of objective knowledge were also better equipped to take private and public action. CHAID (Chi‐Square Automatic Interaction Detection) analysis highlighted that a combination of subjective and objective knowledge was the best predictor of taking public action only and of taking both private and public complaint action. The study has implications for policy makers, consumer protection organisations, retailers and the individual consumer. Our approach to measuring knowledge of consumerism could possibly be applied in other emerging contexts where consumers generally lack awareness of consumer protection.
Organic consumers’ preferences and willingness‐to‐pay for locally produced animal products
Authors: Wägeli Salome , Janssen Meike , Hamm Ulrich
Published: November 2015

In Germany, a large share of organic animal products is being produced with imported protein feedstuffs. Products labelled as ‘local’ are also often produced with imported feed. At the point of purchase, animal products are not usually labelled with any information on the feed that was used to produce it. Therefore, it remains unclear what consumers think about the use of imported feed, in particular in the case of products labelled as ‘local’. The aim of the present research study was to analyse whether the use of local feed represents an option for successful product differentiation in the organic animal products market. Discrete Choice Experiments and computer assisted personal interviews were conducted with 597 organic consumers in Germany to investigate their preferences and willingness‐to‐pay for local organic animal products produced with local feed. The choice experiments revealed a strong preference for local feed. The outcome of our investigation also shows that the provision of information on feed imports into Germany can be an important tool for promoting organic animal products produced with local feed. The results suggest the use of local feed could be an option for successful product differentiation in the organic animal products market, especially if effort is put into raising consumer awareness of current organic feed importation practices.
Phase transformation of Cu‐rich precipitates from 9R to 3R variant via ledges mechanism in ferritic steel containing copper
Authors: CHEN B.L. , WANG W. , XIE H. , GE R.R. , ZHANG Z.Y. , LI Z.W. , ZHOU X.Y. , ZHOU B.X.
Published: November 2015

Precipitates and solute enrich in aged ferritic steel containing copper were examined using high‐resolution electron microscopy, high‐angle annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Two ledges with one‐atom and two‐atom layers height in the 9R/3R interface were observed. The enrichment of copper into two successive closed‐packed planes with an interval of Fe‐rich close‐packed plane was detected. The passage of the Shockley partial, or the shearing, changes the stacking sequence of closed‐packed planes. Finally, 9R Cu variant transformed into 3R Cu variant.
Reduced Field of View Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging in the Evaluation of Congenital Spine Malformations
Authors: Radhakrishnan Rupa , Betts Aaron M. , Care Marguerite M. , Serai Suraj , Zhang Bin , Jones Blaise V.
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND

Reduced field of view diffusion‐weighted imaging (rFOV DWI) is a more recently described technique in the evaluation of spine pathology. In adults, this technique has been shown to increase clinician confidence in identification of diffusion restricting lesions.

PURPOSE

In this study, we evaluate the image quality and diagnostic confidence of the rFOV DWI technique in pediatric spine MRI.

METHODS

We included patients with MRI of the lumbar spine for suspected congenital abnormalities who had conventional SS‐EPI (single shot echo planar imaging) with full field of view (fFOV) and rFOV DWI performed. Images were graded for image quality and observer confidence for detection of lesions with reduced diffusion. Position of the conus and L3 vertebral body measurements were recorded. Comparisons were made between the fFOV and rFOV scores.

RESULTS

Fifty children (30 girls, 20 boys) were included (median 3.6 years). Compared to the fFOV images, the rFOV images scored higher in image quality (P < 0.0001) and for confidence in detecting lesions with reduced diffusion (P < 0.0001). The average spread of identified conus position was smaller for in rFOV compared to fFOV (P = 0.0042). There was no significant difference in the L3 vertebral body measurements between the two methods. In rFOV, the anterior aspects of the vertebral bodies were excluded in a few studies due to narrow FOV.

CONCLUSION

rFOV DWI of the lumbar spine in the pediatric population has qualitatively improved image quality and observer confidence for lesion detection when compared to conventional fFOV SS‐EPI DWI.