bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation of anode and cathode materials in photomicrobial fuel cells
Authors: Schneider Kenneth , Thorne Rebecca J. , Cameron Petra J.
Published: January 2016

Photomicrobial fuel cells (p-MFCs) are devices that use photosynthetic organisms (such as cyanobacteria or algae) to turn light energy into electrical energy. In a p-MFC, the anode accepts electrons from microorganisms that are either growing directly on the anode surface (biofilm) or are free floating in solution (planktonic). The nature of both the anode and cathode material is critical for device efficiency. An ideal anode is biocompatible and facilitates direct electron transfer from the microorganisms, with no need for an electron mediator. For a p-MFC, there is the additional requirement that the anode should not prevent light from perfusing through the photosynthetic cells. The cathode should facilitate the rapid reaction of protons and oxygen to form water so as not to rate limit the device. In this paper, we first review the range of anode and cathode materials currently used in p-MFCs. We then present our own data comparing cathode materials in a p-MFC and our first results using porous ceramic anodes in a mediator-free p-MFC.
Catalyst design for biorefining
Authors: Wilson Karen , Lee Adam F.
Published: January 2016

The quest for sustainable resources to meet the demands of a rapidly rising global population while mitigating the risks of rising CO
2
emissions and associated climate change, represents a grand challenge for humanity. Biomass offers the most readily implemented and low-cost solution for sustainable transportation fuels, and the only non-petroleum route to organic molecules for the manufacture of bulk, fine and speciality chemicals and polymers. To be considered truly sustainable, biomass must be derived from resources which do not compete with agricultural land use for food production, or compromise the environment (e.g. via deforestation). Potential feedstocks include waste lignocellulosic or oil-based materials derived from plant or aquatic sources, with the so-called biorefinery concept offering the co-production of biofuels, platform chemicals and energy; analogous to today’s petroleum refineries which deliver both high-volume/low-value (e.g. fuels and commodity chemicals) and low-volume/high-value (e.g. fine/speciality chemicals) products, thereby maximizing biomass valorization. This article addresses the challenges to catalytic biomass processing and highlights recent successes in the rational design of heterogeneous catalysts facilitated by advances in nanotechnology and the synthesis of templated porous materials, as well as the use of tailored catalyst surfaces to generate bifunctional solid acid/base materials or tune hydrophobicity.
Robust synthesis of epoxy resin-filled microcapsules for application to self-healing materials
Authors: Bolimowski Patryk A. , Bond Ian P. , Wass Duncan F.
Published: January 2016

Mechanically and thermally robust microcapsules containing diglycidyl ether bisphenol A-based epoxy resin and a high-boiling-point organic solvent were synthesized in high yield using
in situ
polymerization of urea and formaldehyde in an oil-in-water emulsion. Microcapsules were characterized in terms of their size and size distribution, shell surface morphology and thermal resistance to the curing cycles of commercially used epoxy polymers. The size distribution of the capsules and characteristics such as shell thickness can be controlled by the specific parameters of microencapsulation, including concentrations of reagents, stirrer speed and sonication. Selected microcapsules, and separated core and shell materials, were analysed using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. It is demonstrated that capsules lose minimal 2.5 wt% at temperatures no higher than 120°C. These microcapsules can be applied to self-healing carbon fibre composite structural materials, with preliminary results showing promising performance.
A stereospecific solid-phase screening assay for colonies expressing both (
R
)- and (
S
)-selective ω-aminotransferases
Authors: Willies Simon C. , Galman James L. , Slabu Iustina , Turner Nicholas J.
Published: January 2016

A novel solid-phase screening assay was developed for colonies expressing both (
R
)- and (
S
)-selective ω-aminotransferases. This high-throughput assay can be used to screen rapidly large variant libraries with enhanced substrate selectivity and enantioselectivities.
The effect of soot on ammonium nitrate species and NO2selective catalytic reduction over Cu–zeolite catalyst-coated particulate filter
Authors: Mihai Oana , Tamm Stefanie , Stenfeldt Marie , Olsson Louise
Published: January 2016

A selective catalytic reduction (SCR)-coated particulate filter was evaluated by means of dynamic tests performed using NH3, NO2, O2and H2O. The reactions were examined both prior to and after soot removal in order to study the effect of soot on ammonium nitrate formation and decomposition, ammonia storage and NO2SCR. A slightly larger ammonia storage capacity was observed when soot was present in the sample, which indicated that small amounts of ammonia can adsorb on the soot. Feeding of NO2and NH3in the presence of O2and H2O at low temperature (150, 175 and 200°C) leads to a large formation of ammonium nitrate species and during the subsequent temperature ramp using H2O and argon, a production of nitrous oxides was observed. The N2O formation is often related to ammonium nitrate decomposition, and our results showed that the N2O formation was clearly decreased by the presence of soot. We therefore propose that in the presence of soot, there are fewer ammonium nitrate species on the surface due to the interactions with the soot. Indeed, we do observe CO2production during the reaction conditions also at 150°C, which shows that there is a reaction with these species and soot. In addition, the conversion of NOxdue to NO2SCR was significantly enhanced in the presence of soot; we attribute this to the smaller amount of ammonium nitrate species present in the experiments where soot is available since it is well known that ammonium nitrate formation is a major problem at low temperature due to the blocking of the catalytic sites. Further, a scanning electron microscopy analysis of the soot particles shows that they are about 30–40 nm and are therefore too large to enter the pores of the zeolites. There are likely CuxOyor other copper species available on the outside of the zeolite crystallites, which could have been enhanced due to the hydrothermal treatment at 850°C of the SCR-coated filter prior to the soot loading. We therefore propose that soot is interacting with the ammonium nitrate species on the CuxOyor other copper species on the surface of the zeolite particles, which reduces the ammonium nitrate blocking of the catalyst and thereby results in higher NO2SCR activity.
Indigenous Arabs are descendants of the earliest split from ancient Eurasian populations
Authors: Rodriguez-Flores Juan L. , Fakhro Khalid , Agosto-Perez Francisco , Ramstetter Monica D. , Arbiza Leonardo , Vincent Thomas L. , Robay Amal , Malek Joel A. , Suhre Karsten , Chouchane Lotfi , Badii Ramin , Al-Nabet Al-Marri Ajayeb , Abi Khalil Charbel , Zirie Mahmoud , Jayyousi Amin , Salit Jacqueline , Keinan Alon , Clark Andrew G. , Crystal Ronald G. , Mezey Jason G.
Published: January 2016

An open question in the history of human migration is the identity of the earliest Eurasian populations that have left contemporary descendants. The Arabian Peninsula was the initial site of the out-of-Africa migrations that occurred between 125,000 and 60,000 yr ago, leading to the hypothesis that the first Eurasian populations were established on the Peninsula and that contemporary indigenous Arabs are direct descendants of these ancient peoples. To assess this hypothesis, we sequenced the entire genomes of 104 unrelated natives of the Arabian Peninsula at high coverage, including 56 of indigenous Arab ancestry. The indigenous Arab genomes defined a cluster distinct from other ancestral groups, and these genomes showed clear hallmarks of an ancient out-of-Africa bottleneck. Similar to other Middle Eastern populations, the indigenous Arabs had higher levels of Neanderthal admixture compared to Africans but had lower levels than Europeans and Asians. These levels of Neanderthal admixture are consistent with an early divergence of Arab ancestors after the out-of-Africa bottleneck but before the major Neanderthal admixture events in Europe and other regions of Eurasia. When compared to worldwide populations sampled in the 1000 Genomes Project, although the indigenous Arabs had a signal of admixture with Europeans, they clustered in a basal, outgroup position to all 1000 Genomes non-Africans when considering pairwise similarity across the entire genome. These results place indigenous Arabs as the most distant relatives of all other contemporary non-Africans and identify these people as direct descendants of the first Eurasian populations established by the out-of-Africa migrations.
Synthesis and crystal structures of the potential tyrosinase inhibitorsN-(4-acetylphenyl)-2-chloroacetamide and 2-(4-acetylanilino)-2-oxoethyl cinnamate
Authors: Ashraf Zaman , Kim Daeyoung , Seo Sung-Yum , Kang Sung Kwon
Published: January 2016

Substituted benzoic acid and cinnamic acid esters are of interest as tyrosinase inhibitors and the development of such inhibitors may help in diminishing many dermatological disorders. The tyrosinase enzyme has also been linked to Parkinson's disease. In view of hydroxylated compounds having ester and amide functionalities to potentially inhibit tyrosinase, we herein report the synthesis and crystal structures of two amide-based derivatives, namelyN-(4-acetylphenyl)-2-chloroacetamide, C10H10ClNO2, (I), and 2-(4-acetylanilino)-2-oxoethyl cinnamate, C19H17NO4, (II). In compound (I), the acetylphenyl ring and the N—(C=O)—C unit of the acetamide group are almost coplanar, with a dihedral angle of 7.39 (18)°. Instead of esterification, a cheaper and more efficient synthetic method has been developed for the preparation of compound (II). The molecular geometry of compound (II) is a V-shape. The acetamide and cinnamate groups are almost planar, with mean deviations of 0.088 and 0.046 Å, respectively; the dihedral angle between these groups is 77.39 (7)°. The carbonyl O atoms are positionedsynandantito the amide carbonyl O atom. In the crystals of (I) and (II), N—H...O, C—H...O and C—H...π interactions link the molecules into a three-dimensional network.
Crystal structure of μ-oxalodihydroxamato-bis[(2,2′-bipyridyl)(dimethyl sulfoxide-κO)copper(II)] bis(perchlorate)
Authors: Odarich Irina A. , Pavlishchuk Anna V. , Kalibabchuk Valentina A. , Haukka Matti
Published: January 2016

The centrosymmetric binuclear complex, [Cu2(C2H2N2O4)(C10H8N2)2(C2H6OS)2](ClO4)2, contains two copper(II) ions, connected through an N-deprotonated oxalodihydroxamic acid dianion, two terminal 2,2′-bipyridine ligands, and two apically coordinating dimethylsulfoxide molecules. Two non-coordinating perchlorate anions assure electrical neutrality. The copper(II) ions in the complex dication [Cu2(C10H8N2)2(μ-C2H2N2O4)(C2H6SO)2]2+are in an O2N3square-pyramidal donor environment, the Cu–Cu separation being 5.2949 (4) Å. Two hydroxamate groups in the deprotonated oxalodihydroxamic acid are locatedtransto one each other. In the crystal, O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the complex cations to the perchlorate anions. Further C—H...O hydrogen bonds combine with π–π contacts with a centroid-to-centroid separation of 3.6371 (12) Å to stack the molecules along thea-axis direction.
Two new polytypes of 2,4,6-tribromobenzonitrile
Authors: Britton Doyle , Noland Wayland E. , Tritch Kenneth J.
Published: January 2016

Three polymorphs of 2,4,6-tribromobenzonitrile (RCN), C7H2Br3N, two of which are novel and one of which is a redetermination of the original structure first determined by Carter & Britton [(1972).Acta Cryst.B28, 945–950] are found to be polytypic. Each has a layer structure which differs only in the stacking of the layers. Each layer is composed of molecules associated through C[triple-bond]N...Br contacts which formR22(10) rings. Two such rings are associated with each N atom; one with eachortho-Br atom. No new polytypes of 1,3,5-tribromo-2-isocyanobenzene (RNC) were found but a re-determination of the original structure by Carteret al.[(1977).Cryst. Struct. Commun.6, 543–548] is presented. RNC was found to be isostructural with one of the novel polytypes of RCN. Unit cells were determined for 23 RCN samples and 11 RNC samples. Polytypes could not be distinguished based on crystal habits. In all four structures, each molecule of the asymmetric unit lies across a mirror plane.
cis,trans,cis-1,2,3,4-Tetrakis[2-(ethylsulfanyl)phenyl]cyclobutane
Authors: Sohr Barbara , Glöcklhofer Florian , Stöger Berthold , Weil Matthias , Fröhlich Johannes
Published: January 2016

The title cyclobutane derivative, C36H40S4, formed serendipitously through a photochemically initiated [2 + 2] cycloaddition. The asymmetric unit contains half a molecule with the 2-(ethylsulfanyl)phenyl substituents in acisconfiguration, the other half of the molecule being generated by the application of a twofold rotation operation. The substituents in both halves of the molecules are in atransarrangement relative to each other. The cyclobutane ring shows angular and torsional strains, with C—C—C bond angles of 89.80 (8) and 88.40 (8)°, and an average absolute torsion angle of 14.28 (10)°. The angle of pucker in the ring is 20.27 (12)°. The Ccb—Ccb—Cbangles between the cyclobutane (cb) ring atoms and the attached benzene (b) ring atoms are widened and range from 115.19 (10) to 121.66 (10)°. A weak intramolecular C—H...S hydrogen-bonding interaction between one of the cyclobutane ring H atoms and the S atom may help to establish the molecular conformation. No specific intermolecular interactions are found.
The solid solution Ba5.78Pb1.22F12Cl2
Authors: Weil Matthias
Published: January 2016

The title compound, hexabarium lead(II) dodecafluoride dichloride, is a solid solution in the system Pb7F12Cl2–Ba7F12Cl2and crystallizes isotypically with the ordered modification of the parent compounds in the space groupP-6. The coordination polyhedra of the three different metal sites are distorted tricapped trigonal prisms with F7Cl2coordination sets for two of these sites (Wyckoff positions 3kand 3j, each with site symmetrym..), and the remaining site being exclusively coordinated by fluoride ions (1a, -6..). By sharing faces, a three-dimensional structure is accomplished. The three metal sites have remarkably different occupancies by the two types of metal ions. Whereas the site on the 3kposition shows only a minor incorporation of Pb2+[occupancy ratio Ba:Pb = 0.93 (4):0.07 (4)], the 3jsite shows the highest amount of incorporated Pb2+[Ba:Pb = 0.71 (5):29 (5)]. The occupancy ratio with respect to the 1asite is Ba:Pb = 0.86 (5):0.14 (5).
6-Bromo-1H-indole-2,3-dione hemihydrate
Authors: Turbitt John R. , Golen James A. , Manke David R.
Published: January 2016

The title compound, C8H4BrNO2·0.5H2O, has a single planar molecule in the asymmetric unit with the non-H atoms having a mean deviation from planarity of 0.028 Å. There is also a half of a water molecule (twofold symmetry) present in the asymmetric unit, which hydrogen bonds with the isatin molecules through O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds to form a two-dimensional framework in theabplane. There are close Br...O contacts of 2.999 (2) Å to link the layers. The nine-membered rings of the isatin molecules stack along theaaxis with parallel slipped π–π interactions [inter-centroid distances = 3.6989 (19) and 4.1227 (19) Å].
Measuring university-to-work success: development of a new scale
Authors: Oliveira Marina Cardoso de , Melo-Silva Lucy Leal , Taveira Maria do Céu , Grace Randolph C.
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a subjective multidimensional measure of early career success during university-to-work transition.

Design/methodology/approach

– The construct of university-to-work success (UWS) was defined in terms of intrinsic and extrinsic career outcomes, and a three-stage study was conducted to create a new scale.

Findings

– A preliminary set of items was developed and tested by judges. Results showed the items had good content validity. Factor analyses indicated a four-factor structure and a second-order model with subscales to assess: career insertion and satisfaction, confidence in career future, income and financial independence, and adaptation to work. Third, the authors sought to confirm the hypothesized model examining the comparative fit of the scale and two alternative models. Results showed that fits for both the first- and second-order models were acceptable.

Research limitations/implications

– The proposed model has sound psychometric qualities, although the validated version of the scale was not able to incorporate all constructs envisaged by the initial theoretical model. Results indicated some direction for further refinement.

Practical implications

– The scale could be used as a tool for self-assessment or as an outcome measure to assess the efficacy of university-to-work programs in applied settings.

Originality/value

– This study provides a useful single measure to assess early career success during the university-to-work transition, and might facilitate testing of causal models which could help identify factors relevant for successful transition.
Development idiosyncratic deals and career success
Authors: Guerrero Sylvie , Jeanblanc Hélène , Veilleux Marisol
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to rely on the sponsored-mobility perspective of career success (Turner, 1960) to explore the antecedents and consequences of development idiosyncratic deals (i-deals). The authors position career planning as an antecedent of development i-deals, and subjective and objective measures of career success as an outcome.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors led a two-wave study among a sample of 325 engineers to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

– Results support the hypotheses. Development i-deals are positively related to three objective measures of career success (e.g. promotions, hierarchical level, and salary) and one subjective measure of career success (e.g. career satisfaction).

Practical implications

– The results offer new perspectives to practitioners who want to better manage the careers of their talented employees by highlighting the positive effects of development i-deals on career success.

Originality/value

– This paper relates i-deals to the field of careers.
Suboptimal financial policies and executive ownership in the UK: evidence from a pre-crisis
Authors: Iona Alfonsina , Leonida Leone
Published: January 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify firms in the UK adopting a policy of high cash and low leverage and investigate how executive ownership contributes to this decision.

Design/methodology/approach

Firms following this policy are identified both by using a fixed classification approach and the analysis of the distribution of cash and leverage. Logit analysis is then used to estimate the probability of adopting the policy as a function of executive ownership.

Findings

Extreme financial policies are suboptimal as firms adopting these policies tend to undershoot (overshoot) their target leverage (cash holdings) ratios. The impact of the executive ownership on the probability of adopting this policy is U-shaped, in line with the alignment–entrenchment hypothesis.

Practical implications

Despite the substantial presence of non-executive directors in the boards and a significant amount of shareholdings by executive directors, the firms under analysis have adopted suboptimal financial policies possibly because poorly governed or because executive ownership is the range where entrenchment is feasible.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt at recognising policies of high cash and low leverage as being explicitly interdependent. It is also the first study focussing on the UK, a country of interest, because ownership structure is relatively dispersed. Moreover, instead of choosing fixed threshold levels of the variable in defining the extreme financial policy, this paper proposes the analysis of the distribution of cash holdings and leverage and accounts for target levels of cash and leverage.
Psychographics of comparison shoppers
Authors: Mittal Banwari
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to identify the psychographics of comparison shoppers. How do comparison shoppers differ from their counterparts? This question has remained unaddressed in extant literature.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two separate surveys of convenience samples of consumers were used to identify comparison shoppers and non-comparison shoppers and their profiles.

Findings

– Comparisons shoppers enjoyed shopping more and were on a tight budget. They also saw themselves as smart shoppers compared to their counterparts. However, non-comparison shoppers did not lack in buying gratification, decision confidence or satisfaction with their choices. Both groups were also at par on achievement orientation, optimism, spirited living and happiness.

Research limitations/implications

– Findings of differences are important: comparison shoppers do not find the shopping task stressful, instead they enjoy shopping more. The findings of no difference are even more important: the act of engaging in comparison shopping did not, in and of itself, heighten (nor lessen) the decision confidence, consumption pleasure, optimism or happiness.

Practical implications

– Given that comparison shoppers are just as optimists and achievement oriented, their self-esteem is likely just as high, and, as such, they would expect to be treated with respect. Thus, even low-service, value-priced stores need to make shopping hassle free, pleasant and respectful.

Originality/value

– Comparison shopping has not been studied before as a focal construct. The present paper contributes by identifying important psychographic traits of comparison shoppers, both those that separate them from their counterparts and those that unite them.
The bvg‐repressed gene brtA, encoding biofilm‐associated surface adhesin, is expressed during host infection by Bordetella bronchiseptica
Authors: Nishikawa Sayaka , Shinzawa Naoaki , Nakamura Keiji , Ishigaki Keisuke , Abe Hiroyuki , Horiguchi Yasuhiko
Published: January 2016

Bordetella species display phase modulation between Bvg+ and Bvg− phases. Because expression of known virulence factors is up‐regulated in the Bvg+ phase, bacteria in this phase are considered competent for infection. However, the Bvg− phase is of negligible importance for infection. No studies have shown that bacterial factors specific to the Bvg− phase (bvg‐repressed factors) are expressed in the course of Bordetella infection. In the present study, the gene brtA (Bordetella RTX‐family Adhesin), which is a typical bvg‐repressed gene but is expressed in B. bronchiseptica infecting hosts, was characterized. BrtA is composed of repeated pairs of the VCBS unit and dystroglycan‐type cadherin‐like unit, the von Willebrand Factor A domain, RTX motif and type I secretion target signal. It is herein demonstrated that BrtA is secreted by the type I secretion system and is essential for Ca2+‐dependent bacteria‐to‐substrate adherence, followed by biofilm formation. Although the contribution of BrtA to bacterial colonization of the rat trachea currently remains unclear, this is the first study to present concrete evidence for the expression of a bvg‐repressed gene during infection, which may provide a novel aspect for analyses of Bordetella pathogenesis.
Exploring the Impact of Social Axioms on Firm Reputation: A Stakeholder Perspective
Authors: West Bettina , Hillenbrand Carola , Money Kevin , Ghobadian Abby , Ireland R. Duane
Published: January 2016

This study proposes a model of how deeply held beliefs, known as ‘social axioms, moderate the interaction between reputation, its causes and consequences with stakeholders. It contributes to the stakeholder relational field of reputation theory by explaining why the same organizational stimuli lead to different individual stakeholder responses. The study provides a shift in reputation research from organizational‐level stimuli as the root causes of stakeholder responses to exploring the interaction between individual beliefs and organizational stimuli in determining reputational consequences. Building on a conceptual model that incorporates product/service quality and social responsibility as key reputational dimensions, the authors test empirically for moderating influences, in the form of social axioms, between reputation‐related antecedents and consequences, using component‐based structural equation modelling (n = 204). In several model paths, significant differences are found between responses of individuals identified as either high or low on social cynicism, fate control and religiosity. The results suggest that stakeholder responses to reputation‐related stimuli can be systematically predicted as a function of the interactions between the deeply held beliefs of individuals and these stimuli. The authors offer recommendations on how strategic reputation management can be approached within and across stakeholder groups at a time when firms grapple with effective management of diverse stakeholder expectations.
Characterisation of the technological behaviour of mixtures of mesophilic lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional cheeses made of raw milk without added starters
Authors: Alegría Ángel , González Pablo , Delgado Susana , Flórez Ana Belén , Hernández‐Barranco Ana María , Rodríguez Ana , Mayo Baltasar
Published: January 2016

In this work, the technological behaviour in milk of a set of Lactococcus lactis strains, alone or in combination with strains of Leuconostoc spp. and Lactobacillus spp. isolated from traditional, raw milk cheeses made without commercial starters, was investigated. Small, mixture‐specific differences during milk fermentation were recorded for growth, milk acidification and production of organic acids, volatile compounds, free amino acids and biogenic amines. Four combinations appropriate for use as dairy starters were tested in pilot‐scale cheese trials. Two mixtures produced cheeses of high flavour and taste quality; these could be confidently used as starter cultures.
Physicochemical, rheological and sensory properties of Egyptian Kariesh cheese containing wheat bran
Authors: Abd Elhamid Abeer M
Published: January 2016

The physicochemical, rheological and sensory properties during the storage of Kariesh cheeses made with 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 or 0.5 g wheat bran/100 g milk were evaluated at 0, 7 and 15 days. The cheeses with 0.5 g wheat bran/100 g milk had a significantly (P < 0.01) higher yield and moisture content, and lower pH and protein content than the control. No significant differences (P > 0.01) in salt and ash contents were observed among the cheeses studied. Texture profile analysis showed that the rheological characteristics decreased significantly in cheeses made with wheat bran. These results suggested that wheat bran (up to 0.4%) can be used to produce a fibre fortified Kariesh cheese.
Potential Prophylactic Properties of Apple and Characterization of Potent Bioactive from cv. “Granny Smith” Displaying Strong Antimutagenicity in Models Including Human Lymphoblast TK6+/− Cell Line
Authors: Saxena Sudhanshu , Verma Jyoti , Gautam Satyendra
Published: January 2016

Potential prophylactic attributes in terms of antimutagenicity, antioxidant, and radioprotective properties were evaluated for 8 common apple cultivars namely “Fuji,” “Golden Delicious,” “Granny Smith,” “Ambri Kashmiri,” “Kinnaur,” “Red Delicious,” “Royal Gala,” and “Shimla,” where cultivar based significant variation was observed. Cv. “Granny Smith” displayed significantly higher and broad spectrum antimutagenicity in Escherichia coli rpoB based rifampicin resistance (RifR) assay, whereas, “Ambri Kashmiri,” “Royal Gala,” and “Shimla” showed lower antimutagenicity. Cultivars “Ambri Kashmiri,” “Kinnaur,” and “Red Delicious” exhibited strong antioxidant activity than cv. “Granny Smith” as assayed by radical scavenging, reducing potential and radioprotective property assays. The antioxidant and radioprotective properties were found to be better correlated than antimutagenicity. Suppression of error‐prone DNA repair pathway (such as E. coli SOS response) was found to be one of the possible mechanisms contributing to its antimutagenicity. Phenolic extract of “Granny Smithˮ showing higher antimutagenicity was HPLC purified and the bioactive fraction (tR 35.4 min) contributing maximally (∼80%) to the observed antimutagenicity was identified as procyanidin dimer (PD) by ESI‐MS/MS. The above observed antimutagenicity in bacterial assay system was well reproduced in Thymidine Kinase Mutation (TKM) assay performed using human lymphoblast cell line (TK6+/−) cell line making the findings more prophylactically relevant.
Rye and Wheat Bran Extracts Isolated with Pressurized Solvents Increase Oxidative Stability and Antioxidant Potential of Beef Meat Hamburgers
Authors: Šulniūtė Vaida , Jaime Isabel , Rovira Jordi , Venskutonis Petras Rimantas
Published: January 2016

Rye and wheat bran extracts containing phenolic compounds and demonstrating high DPPH• (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl), ABTS•+ (2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) scavenging and oxygen radical absorbance capacities (ORAC) were tested in beef hamburgers as possible functional ingredients. Bran extracts significantly increased the indicators of antioxidant potential of meat products and their global antioxidant response (GAR) during physiological in vitro digestion. The extracts also inhibited the formation of oxidation products, hexanal and malondialdehyde, of hamburgers during their storage; however, they did not have significant effect on the growth of microorganisms. Hamburgers with 0.8% wheat bran extract demonstrated the highest antioxidant potential. Some effects of bran extracts on other quality characteristics such as pH, color, formation of metmyoglobin were also observed, however, these effects did not have negative influence on the overall sensory evaluation score of hamburgers. Consequently, the use of bran extracts in meat products may be considered as promising means of increasing oxidative product stability and enriching with functional ingredients which might possess health benefits.
Impact of Added Encapsulated Phosphate Level on Lipid Oxidation Inhibition during the Storage of Cooked Ground Meat
Authors: Kılıç B. , Şimşek A. , Claus J.R. , Atılgan E. , Bilecen D.
Published: January 2016

The effect of levels (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%) of added encapsulated (e) phosphate (sodium tripolyphosphate, STP; sodium hexametaphosphate, HMP; sodium pyrophosphate, SPP) on lipid oxidation inhibition during storage (0, 1, and 7 d) of ground meat (chicken, beef) was evaluated. The use of eSTP and eSPP resulted in lower and higher cooking loss (CL) compared to eHMP, respectively (P < 0.05). Increasing encapsulated phosphate level (PL) enhanced the impact of phosphates on CL in both chicken and beef samples (P < 0.05). Encapsulated STP increased pH, whereas eSPP decreased pH (P < 0.05). pH was not affected by PL. The highest orthophosphate (OP) was obtained with eSTP, followed by eSPP and eHMP (P < 0.05). The level of OP determined in both chicken and beef samples increased (P < 0.05) during storage. Increasing PL caused an increase in OP (P < 0.05). The highest reduction rate in the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and LPO for both meat species were obtained with eSPP, followed by eSTP and eHMP (P < 0.05). Increasing PL resulted in lower TBARS and LPO (P < 0.05). Findings suggest that encapsulated phosphates can be a strategy to inhibit lipid oxidation for the meat industry and the efficiency of encapsulated phosphates on lipid oxidation inhibition can be enhanced by increasing PL.
Effect of CMC Molecular Weight on Acid‐Induced Gelation of Heated WPI‐CMC Soluble Complex
Authors: Huan Yan , Zhang Sha , Vardhanabhuti Bongkosh
Published: January 2016

Acid‐induced gelation properties of heated whey protein isolate (WPI) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) soluble complex were investigated as a function of CMC molecular weight (270, 680, and 750 kDa) and concentrations (0% to 0.125%). Heated WPI‐CMC soluble complex with 6% protein was made by heating biopolymers together at pH 7.0 and 85 °C for 30 min and diluted to 5% protein before acid‐induced gelation. Acid‐induced gel formed from heated WPI‐CMC complexes exhibited increased hardness and decreased water holding capacity with increasing CMC concentrations but gel strength decreased at higher CMC content. The highest gel strength was observed with CMC 750 k at 0.05%. Gels with low CMC concentration showed homogenous microstructure which was independent of CMC molecular weight, while increasing CMC concentration led to microphase separation with higher CMC molecular weight showing more extensive phase separation. When heated WPI‐CMC complexes were prepared at 9% protein the acid gels showed improved gel hardness and water holding capacity, which was supported by the more interconnected protein network with less porosity when compared to complexes heated at 6% protein. It is concluded that protein concentration and biopolymer ratio during complex formation are the major factors affecting gel properties while the effect of CMC molecular weight was less significant.
On Efficient and Accurate Calculation of Significance P‐Values for Sequence Kernel Association Testing of Variant Set
Authors: Wu Baolin , Guan Weihua , Pankow James S.
Published: January 2016

The objective of this paper is to discuss and develop alternative computational methods to accurately and efficiently calculate significance P‐values for the commonly used sequence kernel association test (SKAT) and adaptive sum of SKAT and burden test (SKAT‐O) for variant set association. We show that the existing software can lead to either conservative or inflated type I errors. We develop alternative and efficient computational algorithms that quickly compute the SKAT P‐value and have well‐controlled type I errors. In addition, we derive an alternative and simplified formula for calculating the significance P‐value of SKAT‐O, which sheds light on the development of efficient and accurate numerical algorithms. We implement the proposed methods in the publicly available R package that can be readily used or adapted to large‐scale sequencing studies. Given that more and more large‐scale exome and whole genome sequencing or re‐sequencing studies are being conducted, the proposed methods are practically very important. We conduct extensive numerical studies to investigate the performance of the proposed methods. We further illustrate their usefulness with application to associations between rare exonic variants and fasting glucose levels in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.
Hierarchical foraging by giraffe in a heterogeneous savannah, Tanzania
Authors: Mahenya Obeid , Mathisen Karen Marie , Andreassen Harry P. , Skarpe Christina
Published: January 2016

Understanding foraging decisions made by wildlife at different spatio‐temporal scales is important for wildlife management and conservation. We tested whether foraging decisions by Masai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchiMatschie) differed with scales; habitat, patch and tree in a heterogeneous savannah. We collected data from Arusha National Park, Tanzania, in March–May and August–October 2013. Visual observations were used to collect data on foraging behaviour. Measurements of tree height and stem height and scoring of accumulated browsing were made in 133 patches around trees where the giraffes had been seen browsing, and in a corresponding number of available patches. Giraffes selectedAcaciashrub andDodoneashrub habitats but not for water availability or predator avoidance. For patch use, giraffe selected high quantity ofAcacia xanthophloeaandDodonea viscosa. Between plant species,A. xanthophloeawas the most preferred and within plant species, tree quality was enhanced by tree height and high score of accumulated browsing. Generally, giraffes selected forA. xanthophloeaat all scales.
Decidual Control of Trophoblast Invasion
Authors: Sharma Shipra , Godbole Geeta , Modi Deepak
Published: January 2016

At the time of implantation, the trophoblast cells of the embryo adhere and then invade into the maternal endometrium and eventually establish placentation. The endometrium at the same time undergoes decidualization, which is essential for successful pregnancy. While the NK cells of the decidua have been implicated to play a key role in trophoblast invasion, few evidence are now available to demonstrate a pro‐invasive property of decidual stromal cells. Secretions from decidualized endometrial stromal cells promote invasion of primary trophoblasts and model cell lines by activating proteases and altering expression of adhesion‐related molecules. The decidual secretions contain high amounts of pro‐invasive factors that include IL‐1β, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐7, IL‐8, IL‐9, IL‐13, IL‐15, Eotaxin CCL11, IP‐10 and RANTES, and anti‐invasive factors IL‐10, IL‐12 and VEGF. It appears that these decidual factors promote invasion by regulating the protease pathways and integrin expression utilizing the STAT pathways in the trophoblast cells. At the same time the decidua also seem to secrete some anti‐invasive factors that are antagonist to the matrix metalloproteinases and/or are activators of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases. This might be essential to neutralize the effects of the invasion‐promoting factors and restrain overinvasion. It is tempting to propose that during the course of pregnancy, the decidua must balance the production of these pro and anti‐invasive molecules and such harmonizing production would allow a timely and regulated invasion.
Validation of the Volunteer Motivation Scale and its relations with work climate and intention among Chinese volunteers
Authors: Li Chunxiao , Wu Yandan , Kee Ying Hwa
Published: January 2016

Grounded in self‐determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985), this two‐phase research examines the reliability and validity of the Volunteer Motivation Scale with Chinese volunteers (VMS‐C) and its relationship with the supportive work climate and intention to continue being a volunteer. In Study 1, the initial item pool of the VMS‐C with 18 items measuring six motivation types was administrated to Chinese volunteers (N = 362). Factor analysis led to a five‐factor model with 15 items. This model was cross‐validated using confirmatory factor analysis. The five factors were intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, introjected regulation, external regulation and amotivation. In Study 2, the relationships between different types of motivation (i.e. autonomous motivation, controlled motivation, amotivation) and two variables of interests, namely, supportive work climate and intention to stay, were investigated (N = 228). It was found that autonomous motivation (i.e. intrinsic motivation, identified regulation) were positively related to both supportive work climate and intention to stay. Controlled motivation (i.e. introjected regulation, external regulation) and amotivation were negatively associated with the two variables. The current findings are consistent with SDT. More studies guided by the theory in the volunteering area are recommended.
Expression of Beclin‐1, an autophagy‐related marker, in chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma and its relation with apoptotic markers
Authors: Al‐Shenawy Hanan Al‐Saeid
Published: January 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent malignant tumors in worldwide. Multiple precancerous factors, including infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV), have been studied extensively. Autophagy is a highly regulated process, involved in the turnover of damaged organelles. The relationship between apoptosis and autophagy is still a debated topic especially in HCC. This study aimed to investigate the expression of beclin‐1 in chronic hepatitis and HCC and its relation with apoptotic markers. The study included the following: 20 chronic HCV hepatitis cases (first group), 35 HCC cases (second group), and 10 normal tissues as control (third group). All were stained for anti‐beclin‐1, Bcl‐2, Bcl‐XL, and Bax antibodies. A significant positive correlation was found between beclin‐1 and Bcl‐2 among the first group. While a significant inverse correlation was found between them in the second group. A positive correlation was found between beclin‐1 and Bcl‐XL expression in the first and the second groups. Also positive significant correlations were identified between beclin‐1 and Bax in the first and the second groups. Autophagy and apoptosis in the liver are interrelated processes. The high levels of beclin‐1 observed in hepatitis may suggest a central role that may limit liver damage and interact with progression to cancer where beclin‐1 later on becomes suppressed in aggressive HCC cases. So defective autophagy synergized with defective apoptosis may facilitate tumor progression. Knowledge of the role of autophagic molecules together with apoptotic markers in HCC could lead to improved treatment efficacy and overall prognosis.
Floodplain forests of the Iberian Peninsula: Vegetation classification and climatic features
Authors: Biurrun Idoia , Campos Juan Antonio , García‐Mijangos Itziar , Herrera Mercedes , Loidi Javier
Published: January 2016

Aims

To produce a formalized classification of floodplain forests in the Iberian Peninsula and to assess their main bioclimatic gradients.

Location

Iberian Peninsula.

Methods

A data set with more than 3000 vegetation plots of floodplain forests was compiled from vegetation‐plot databases, while climatic data were derived from a digital climatic atlas. After filtering of plots according to their area and geographic stratification, 1892 plots were used to build a typology from association to order level using multivariate classification methods (Fuzzy C‐means, agglomerative hierarchical clustering). The phi fidelity index was used to determine the diagnostic species of the syntaxa in the proposed classification. Main climatic gradients were explored using non‐metric multidimensional gradient analysis, and ANOVA was carried out in order to define the bioclimatic features of Iberian floodplain forests.

Results

A total of 41 floodplain forest associations were distinguished for the Iberian Peninsula, grouped in nine suballiances, four alliances and two orders. Mediterraneity (summer aridity) was the main climatic driver, as it separates the temperate floodplain forests of the order Alno‐Fraxinetalia from the Mediterranean forests of the Populetalia albae. Continentality and precipitation were mainly relevant at alliance level, as they separated both the temperate alliances Alnion and Hyperico‐Alnion, the latter more oceanic, and the Mediterranean alliances Populion and Osmundo‐Alnion, the latter from more rainy areas. Temperature was an important driver at association level, as the associations included in the same suballiance or alliance differed regarding their thermicity index.

Conclusions

Our study develops the first formalized classification of Iberian floodplain forests and provides their bioclimatic diagnosis. One new alliance, Hyperico‐Alnion, is proposed for floodplain forests of the Cantabrian watershed. Mediterraneity, continentality and precipitation drive floodplain forest diversity at broad scale, while temperature is the main bioclimatic driver at fine scale. The proposed classification provides the scientific basis for the conservation of this habitat type, with high conservation priority, in southern Europe.
N‐acetylcysteine for non‐paracetamol drug‐induced liver injury: a systematic review
Authors: Chughlay Mohamed Farouk , Kramer Nicole , Spearman C. Wendy , Werfalli Mahmoud , Cohen Karen
Published: January 2016

Aims

N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) may be useful in the management of non‐paracetamol drug‐induced liver injury (DILI). Our objective was to review systematically evidence for the use of NAC as a therapeutic option for non‐paracetamol DILI.

Methods

We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohort studies. We searched several bibliographic databases, grey literature sources, conference proceedings and ongoing trials. Our pre‐specified primary outcomes were all cause and DILI related mortality, time to normalization of liver biochemistry and adverse events. Secondary outcomes were proportion receiving liver transplant, time to transplantation, transplant‐free survival and hospitalization duration.

Results

We identified one RCT of NAC vs. placebo in patients with non‐paracetamol acute liver failure. There was no difference in the primary outcomes of overall survival at 3 weeks between NAC [70%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 60%, 81%, n = 81] and placebo (66%, 95% CI = 56%, 77%, n = 92). NAC significantly improved the secondary outcomes of transplant‐free survival compared with placebo: 40% NAC (95% CI = 28%, 51%) vs. 27% placebo (95% CI = 18%, 37%). A subgroup analysis according to aetiology found improved transplant‐free survival in patients with non‐paracetamol DILI, NAC (58%, n = 19) vs. placebo (27%, n = 26), odds ratio (OR) 0.27 (95% CI = 0.076, 0.942). Overall survival was similar, NAC (79%) vs. placebo (65%);, OR 0.50 (95% CI = 0.13, 1.98).

Conclusion

Current available evidence is limited and does not allow for any firm conclusions to be made regarding the role of NAC in non‐paracetamol DILI. We therefore highlight the need for further research in this area.
The Latent Class Twin Method
Authors: Baker Stuart G.
Published: January 2016

The twin method refers to the use of data from same-sex identical and fraternal twins to estimate the genetic and environmental contributions to a trait or outcome. The standard twin method is the variance component twin method that estimates heritability, the fraction of variance attributed to additive genetic inheritance. The latent class twin method estimates two quantities that are easier to interpret than heritability: the genetic prevalence, which is the fraction of persons in the genetic susceptibility latent class, and the heritability fraction, which is the fraction of persons in the genetic susceptibility latent class with the trait or outcome. We extend the latent class twin method in three important ways. First, we incorporate an additive genetic model to broaden the sensitivity analysis beyond the original autosomal dominant and recessive genetic models. Second, we specify a separate survival model to simplify computations and improve convergence. Third, we show how to easily adjust for covariates by extending the method of propensity scores from a treatment difference to zygosity. Applying the latent class twin method to data on breast cancer among Nordic twins, we estimated a genetic prevalence of 1%, a result with important implications for breast cancer prevention research.