bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Wine Tasting Approach Based on Emotional Responses to Rapidly Recognize Classic European Wine Styles
Authors: Loureiro Virgílio , Brasil Renato , Malfeito-Ferreira Manuel
Published: March 2016

Conventional tasting sheets are widely used to evaluate wine quality in wine tasting competitions. However, the higher scores are mostly obtained by international commercial wines, resulting in lower scores being awarded to the classic European wines. We hypothesize that this is due to the tasting methodology that fails to recognize this wine style. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to show the implementation of a new wine tasting approach to overcome this drawback. The proposed training technique is based on the emotional responses of the taster after smelling two wines of clearly opposite styles. The first wine is characterized by high aromatic intensity but low in-mouth intensity, perceived as disappointing to the taster, here defined as an “easy” wine. The second wine is characterized as a wine with low aromatic intensity but that provides an unexpectedly positive in-mouth experience, here defined as a “difficult” wine. These emotions are explained by the wine sensorial characteristics. The “easy” wine has an intense, simple smell with short persistence while the “difficult” wine has a low intensity, complex aroma, and long persistence. The first style corresponds to the international commercial wines most prized in international wine challenges. The second, frequently rejected by untrained tasters, is consistent with the “so called” classic European wines, and is characterized by light red or yellow straw colors, weak smell intensity, and aggressive mouth-feel. After no more than four training sessions and using the OIV tasting sheet, inexperienced tasters were able to score “difficult” wines equally as “easy” wines and understand their different attributes. In conclusion, this new tasting approach may be used by wine professionals to explain the characteristics of high quality wines that are not easily recognized by untrained consumers.
Characterization of a Metagenome-Derived β-Glucosidase and Its Application in Conversion of Polydatin to Resveratrol
Authors: Mai Zhimao , Su Hongfei , Zhang Si
Published: March 2016

For the beneficial pharmacological properties of resveratrol, there is increasingly interest in enzymatic conversion of polydatin to resveratrol. The metagenomic technique provides an effective strategy for mining novel polydatin-hydrolysis enzymes from uncultured microorganisms. In this study, a metagenomic library of mangrove soil was constructed and a novel β-glucosidase gene MlBgl was isolated. The deduced amino acid sequences of MlBgl showed the highest identity of 64% with predicted β-glucosidase in the GenBank database. The gene was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) assay demonstrated the purified recombinant β-glucosidase r-MlBgl with a molecular weight approximately of 71 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature of purified recombinant r-MlBgl were 7.0 and 40 °C, respectively. r-MlBgl could hydrolyze polydatin effectively. The kcat and kcat/Km values for polydatin were 989 s−1 and 1476 mM−1·s−1, respectively. These properties suggest that -r-MlBgl has potential application in the enzymatic conversion of polydatin to resveratrol for further study.
Chemical Vapour Deposition of Gas Sensitive Metal Oxides
Authors: Vallejos Stella , Di Maggio Francesco , Shujah Tahira , Blackman Chris
Published: March 2016

This article presents a review of recent research efforts and developments for the fabrication of metal-oxide gas sensors using chemical vapour deposition (CVD), presenting its potential advantages as a materials synthesis technique for gas sensors along with a discussion of their sensing performance. Thin films typically have poorer gas sensing performance compared to traditional screen printed equivalents, attributed to reduced porosity, but the ability to integrate materials directly with the sensor platform provides important process benefits compared to competing synthetic techniques. We conclude that these advantages are likely to drive increased interest in the use of CVD for gas sensor materials over the next decade, whilst the ability to manipulate deposition conditions to alter microstructure can help mitigate the potentially reduced performance in thin films, hence the current prospects for use of CVD in this field look excellent.
Can We Make Cosmetic Contact Allergy History?
Authors: Basketter David , Corsini Emanuela
Published: March 2016

Chemical allergy is of considerable importance to the toxicologist, who, amongst other things, has the responsibility of identifying and characterizing the skin (and respiratory) sensitizing potential of chemicals, and estimating the risk they pose to human health. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is to a large extent a preventable disease. Although quantitative risk assessment (QRA) for contact allergy can be performed, it is reasonable to ask why the burden of the skin disease ACD appears to remain stubbornly high, and in particular, that the general level of ACD to sensitizing ingredients found in cosmetics has not fallen noticeably over recent decades; some could argue that it has increased. In this review, this conundrum is addressed, considering whether and to what extent the prevalence of cosmetic allergy is truly unchanged, whether the predicted test methods and potency estimations are sufficiently precise and how proposed changes to the QRA process (i.e., cumulative exposure) may ameliorate the situation. Improved and more widespread use of risk assessment, better education of risk assessors, better post-marketing surveillance and monitoring of dermatology clinic feedback to improve QRA, all together could help to “make contact allergy history”.
A Review of the Characteristics of Small-Leaved Lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) and Their Implications for Silviculture in a Changing Climate
Authors: De Jaegere Tanguy , Hein Sebastian , Claessens Hugues
Published: March 2016

Tilia cordata Mill. is a minor European broadleaved species with a wide but scattered distribution. Given its scarcity and low value in the wood market, it has received little attention from researchers and forest managers. This review summarizes the main aspects of T. cordata ecology and growth. Its main limiting factor is its need for warm summer temperatures to ensure successful seed production. It has a height growth pattern relatively similar to that of Acer pseudoplatanus L., with a slight delay in the early stages. Yield tables report great productivity, especially in eastern Europe. T. cordata used to be a major species in Europe, in contrast to its present distribution, but it is very likely to receive renewed interest in the future. Indeed, with the potential change of competition between species in some regions and the need for important diversification in others, T. cordata may play an important role in forest adaptation to climate change, especially owing to its wide ecological tolerance and its numerous ecosystem services. It is necessary to increase our knowledge about its regeneration and its responses to environmental and silvicultural factors, to establish clear management recommendations.
Night-Time Noise Index Based on the Integration of Awakening Potential
Authors: Tagusari Junta , Takashima Tomoya , Furukawa Satoshi , Matsui Toshihito
Published: March 2016

Sleep disturbance induced by night-time noise is a serious environmental problem that can cause adverse health effects, such as hypertension and ischemic heart disease. Night-time noise indices are used to facilitate the enforcement of permitted noise levels during night-time. However, existing night-time noise indices, such as sound exposure level (SEL), maximum sound level (LAmax) and night equivalent level (Lnight) are selected mainly because of practical reasons. Therefore, this study proposes a noise index based on neurophysiological determinants of the awakening process. These determinants have revealed that the potential on awakening is likely integrated into the brainstem that dominates wakefulness and sleep. From this evidence, a night-time noise index, N awake,year, was redefined based on the integration of the awakening potential unit (punit ) estimated from the existing dose-response relationships of awakening. The newly-defined index considers the total number of awakenings and covers a wide-range and number of noise events. We also presented examples of its applicability to traffic noise. Although further studies are needed, it may reveal a reasonable dose-response relationship between sleep disturbance and adverse health effects and provide a consistent explanation for the risks of different sound sources where the characteristics of noise exposure are quite different.
CD86+/CD206+, Diametrically Polarized Tumor-Associated Macrophages, Predict Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patient Prognosis
Authors: Dong Pingping , Ma Lijie , Liu Longzi , Zhao Guangxi , Zhang Si , Dong Ling , Xue Ruyi , Chen She
Published: March 2016

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), the most abundant infiltrating immune cells in tumor microenvironment, have distinct functions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. CD68+ TAMs represent multiple polarized immune cells mainly containing CD86+ antitumoral M1 macrophages and CD206+ protumoral M2 macrophages. TAMs expression and density were assessed by immunohistochemical staining of CD68, CD86, and CD206 in tissue microarrays from 253 HCC patients. Clinicopathologic features and prognostic value of these markers were evaluated. We found that CD68+ TAMs were not associated with clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis in HCC. Low presence of CD86+ TAMs and high presence of CD206+ TAMs were markedly correlated with aggressive tumor phenotypes, such as multiple tumor number and advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage; and were associated with poor overall survival (OS) (p = 0.027 and p = 0.024, respectively) and increased time to recurrence (TTR) (p = 0.037 and p = 0.031, respectively). In addition, combined analysis of CD86 and CD206 provided a better indicator for OS (p = 0.011) and TTR (p = 0.024) in HCC than individual analysis of CD86 and CD206. Moreover, CD86+/CD206+ TAMs predictive model also had significant prognosis value in α-fetoprotein (AFP)-negative patients (OS: p = 0.002, TTR: p = 0.005). Thus, these results suggest that combined analysis of immune biomarkers CD86 and CD206 could be a promising HCC prognostic biomarker.
Pozzolanic Reactivity of Silica Fume and Ground Rice Husk Ash as Reactive Silica in a Cementitious System: A Comparative Study
Authors: Xu Weiting , Lo Tommy , Wang Weilun , Ouyang Dong , Wang Penggang , Xing Feng
Published: March 2016

This study comparably assessed the pozzolanic effect of silica fume (SF) and ground rice husk ash (RHA) as supplementary cementing materials on the properties of blended cement pastes and concretes. A commonly commercial silica fume (SF) and locally-produced rice husk ash (RHA) samples with two finenesses (one with larger size than cement and the other with smaller size than cement) were used in this study. Material properties of SF and RHA were experimentally characterized. Hydration and mechanical properties of cement pastes incorporating SF and RHA were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and compressive strength tests, respectively. Properties of concretes regarding workability, mechanical property, durability, and microstructure were evaluated. Results showed that, although the finely ground RHA used in this study possessed lower SiO2 content and higher particle size compared to SF, it exhibited comparable pozzolanic reactivity with SF due to the nano-scale pores on its each single particle, leading to a higher specific surface area. The optimal replacement levels of SF and RHA were 10% by weight of cement in pastes and concretes. Although addition of SF and RHA led to a significant reduction in slump for the fresh mixtures, inclusion of up to 30% of SF or 15% of ground RHA did not adversely affect the strength of concretes. At the same mix, incorporation of finely-ground RHA in cement composites provided comparable mechanical properties, hydration degree, and durability with SF blended cement composites, owing to the porous structure and high specific surface area of RHA particles. Microstructure morphology analysis of concretes explored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) further validated the strength and the durability test results.
Multi-Step in 3D Spin Crossover Nanoparticles Simulated by an Ising Model Using Entropic Sampling Monte Carlo Technique
Authors: Jureschi Catalin , Linares Jorge , Rotaru Aurelian , Garcia Yann
Published: March 2016

There are currently extended experimental and theoretical developments of spin crossover nanomaterials, in particular based on coordination polymers for the design of smart applications. In this context, we have reproduced a three step thermal transition in a cubic spin crossover nanomaterial with a system dimension of 5 × 5 × 5 metallic centers. For this purpose, we have calculated, using Monte Carlo Entropic Sampling technique, the density of states of all possible system configurations. In order to take into account the local environment, we have included an additional interaction term in the standard Ising like model. We have then analyzed the role of this new interaction as well as the system size effect variation (from 4 × 4 × 4 to 6 × 6 × 6 metallic centers). Comparison with a 2D SCO system shows that the spin transition still proceeds in three steps but is no longer hysteretic.
Correction: Global Occurrence and Emission of Rotaviruses to Surface Waters. Pathogens 2015, 4, 229–255
Authors: Kiulia Nicholas , Hofstra Nynke , Vermeulen Lucie , Obara Maureen , Medema Gertjan , Rose Joan
Published: March 2016

The authors wish to make the following corrections to their paper [1].[...]
Detection of Leptosphaeria maculans and Leptosphaeria biglobosa Causing Blackleg Disease in Canola from Canadian Canola Seed Lots and Dockage
Authors: Fernando W. , Zhang Xuehua , Amarasinghe Chami
Published: March 2016

Blackleg, caused by Leptosphaeria maculans, is a major threat to canola production in Canada. With the exception of China, L. maculans is present in areas around the world where cruciferous crops are grown. The pathogen can cause trade barriers in international canola seed export due to its potential risk as a seed contaminant. The most recent example is China restricting canola seeds imported from Canada and Australia in 2009. Therefore, it is important to assess the level of Blackleg infection in Canadian canola seed lots and dockage (seeds and admixture). In this study, canola seed lots and dockage samples collected from Western Canada were tested for the presence of the aggressive L. maculans and the less aggressive L. biglobosa. Results showed that both L. maculans and L. biglobosa were present in seed lots and dockage samples, with L. biglobosa being predominant in infected seeds. Admixture separated from dockage had higher levels of L. maculans and L. biglobosa infection than samples from seed lots. Admixture appears to harbour higher levels of L. maculans infection compared to seeds and is more likely to be a major source of inoculum for the spread of the disease than infected seeds.
A Qualitative Content Analysis of Spirituality and Religiosity amongst Greek COPD Patients
Authors: Tzounis Efthymios , Kerenidi Theodora , Daniil Zoe , Hatzoglou Chryssi , Kotrotsiou Evangelia , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos
Published: March 2016

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic and common disease throughout the world. Spiritual/religious beliefs are often central to patients with serious illnesses and could serve as a resource for coping with such illnesses. A qualitative methodology was chosen in order to gain a thorough understanding of 75 (male n = 69, 92%, female n = 6, 8%) Greek COPD patients’ perceptions of spirituality and religiosity and explore the importance of practicing their beliefs while 25 patients refused to participate in the study. The fewer female participant patients in the study are related to the lower percentage of women suffering from COPD in Greece, which can be further linked to the low smoking habit of women. A total of four patients (5.3%) stated that they had no religious or spiritual understanding of their life; 41 (54.7%) reported a religious belief; eight (10.7%) told of a spiritual belief; and 22 (29.3%) of the participants reported both a religious and a spiritual belief. Faith in the will of God seems to be a particularly strong feature of patients’ beliefs. Praying and church attendance were more likely to confirm the importance of practicing their beliefs in their daily lives but COPD seems to prevent patients from regular churchgoing. Religion and spirituality were found to be helpful while patients did not seem to have unrealistic expectations from God when dealing with illness. When asked, participants defined spirituality as “happiness”, “love”, “our God”, “the spirit”, and as an act of altruism. Adopting a more holistic perspective for COPD patients in the clinical setting, spirituality and religiosity can offer suggestions for interventions related to their health issues.
Implementation of Context Aware e-Health Environments Based on Social Sensor Networks
Authors: Aguirre Erik , Led Santiago , Lopez-Iturri Peio , Azpilicueta Leyre , Serrano Luís , Falcone Francisco
Published: March 2016

In this work, context aware scenarios applied to e-Health and m-Health in the framework of typical households (urban and rural) by means of deploying Social Sensors will be described. Interaction with end-users and social/medical staff is achieved using a multi-signal input/output device, capable of sensing and transmitting environmental, biomedical or activity signals and information with the aid of a combined Bluetooth and Mobile system platform. The devices, which play the role of Social Sensors, are implemented and tested in order to guarantee adequate service levels in terms of multiple signal processing tasks as well as robustness in relation with the use wireless transceivers and channel variability. Initial tests within a Living Lab environment have been performed in order to validate overall system operation. The results obtained show good acceptance of the proposed system both by end users as well as by medical and social staff, increasing interaction, reducing overall response time and social inclusion levels, with a compact and moderate cost solution that can readily be largely deployed.
Using Optimization Models for Scheduling in Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
Authors: Herrmann Frank
Published: March 2016

Companies often use specially-designed production systems and change them from time to time. They produce small batches in order to satisfy specific demands with the least tardiness. This imposes high demands on high-performance scheduling algorithms which can be rapidly adapted to changes in the production system. As a solution, this paper proposes a generic approach: solutions were obtained using a widely-used commercially-available tool for solving linear optimization models, which is available in an Enterprise Resource Planning System (in the SAP system for example) or can be connected to it. In a real-world application of a flow shop with special restrictions this approach is successfully used on a standard personal computer. Thus, the main implication is that optimal scheduling with a commercially-available tool, incorporated in an Enterprise Resource Planning System, may be the best approach.
Bacteria Removal from Stormwater Runoff Using Tree Filters: A Comparison of a Conventional and an Innovative System
Authors: Schifman Laura , Kasaraneni Varun , Sullivan Ryan , Oyanedel-Craver Vinka , Boving Thomas
Published: March 2016

Non-point source pollution of stormwater contributes high contaminant loads into surface water bodies and poses a threat to the ecosystem, public health and economy. Although (pre)treatment standards have not been introduced at the federal level, Rhode Island (RI) has set minimal contaminant reduction standards for stormwater using structural best management practices (BMP). As BMP performance depends highly on geographical location and climate, and the Northeastern United States experiences broad ranges of temperatures throughout the year along with long intermittent periods between precipitation events, stormwater treatment can be challenging. In this field study, two tree filters were evaluated: a conventional unit (CTF) with sand/shale mix as filter media, and a modified tree filter (ITF) with an added layer of red cedar wood chips amended with 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. Both BMPs were monitored for 346 days primarily for Escherichia coli and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Both tree filters met or outperformed RI’s standards for bacteria removal (60%) and TSS (85%), making them a good choice for BMP use in this climate. Total suspended solids, E. coli, PAHs, nitrate, and phosphate removal is higher in ITF. A controlled field scale tracer test using E. coli confirmed these results.
To be or not to be better pollinated: Differences between sex morphs in marginal gynodioecious populations
Authors: Castilla Antonio R. , Alonso Conchita , Herrera Carlos M.
Published: March 2016

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Changes in the pollinator communities of marginal plant populations can affect their pollination quantity or quality. Geographic variation in pollination success can alter the reproductive advantage that female plants require to persist within gynodioecious populations. Particularly valuable is determining the pollination success at the prezygotic stage in self‐compatible gynodioecious species whose females do not exhibit enhanced seed production.

METHODS:

In core and marginal populations of Daphne laureola, we analyzed the differences between hermaphrodites and females in the proportion of flowers visited, the stigma pollen loads, and the quantity of pollen tubes in styles. We also examined the relationship between the number of pollen tubes in styles vs. the number of pollen grains on stigmas using piecewise regression and binomial generalized linear mixed models.

KEY RESULTS:

Pollinators deposited larger pollen loads on flowers in marginal populations. In marginal populations, female flowers received more pollinator visits and more pollen grains on their stigmas, and they had more pollen tubes in their styles than did female flowers in core populations. Both piecewise regression and binomial GLMM analyses showed that females in marginal populations had a lower proportion of grains that developed tubes than females in the core populations, which suggests decreased pollination quality.

CONCLUSIONS:

More efficient pollination services in marginal populations decreased the overall differences in the prezygotic pollination success between the sex morphs. Our results also suggest that pollination quality is lower in females of marginal populations, which could be counteracting the increased pollination in females in marginal populations.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Whole-Mount Pathology Processing for Patients with Early Breast Cancer Undergoing Breast Conservation
Authors: Hong N.J. Look , Clarke G.M. , Yaffe M.J. , Holloway C.M.B.
Published: March 2016

Background: Obtaining accurate histopathologic detail for breast lumpectomy specimens is challenging because of sampling and loss of three-dimensional conformational features with conventional processing. The whole-mount (WM) technique is a novel method of serial pathologic sectioning designed to optimize cross-sectional visualization of resected specimens and determination of margin status. Methods: Using a Markov chain cohort simulation cost-effectiveness model, we compared conventional processing with WM technique for breast lumpectomies. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated from the perspective of the Canadian health care system and compared using incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for cost per quality-adjusted life–year (QALY) over a 10-year time horizon. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the model with willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds of $0–$100,000. Costs are reported in adjusted 2014 Canadian dollars, discounted at a rate of 3%. Results: Compared with conventional processing, WM processing is more costly ($19,989 vs. $18,427) but generates 0.03 more QALYs over 10 years. The ICER is $45,414, indicating that this additional amount is required for each additional QALY obtained. The model was robust to all variance in parameters, with the prevalence of positive margins accounting for most of the model’s variability. Conclusions: After a WTP threshold of $45,414, WM processing becomes cost-effective and ultimately generates fewer recurrences and marginally more QALYs over time. Excellent baseline outcomes for the current treatment of breast cancer mean that incremental differences in survival are small. However, the overall benefit of the WM technique should be considered in the context of achieving improved accuracy and not just enhancements in clinical effectiveness.
Temporal Association between Home Nursing and Hospital Costs at End of Life in Three Provinces
Authors: Seow H. , Pataky R. , Lawson B. , O’Leary E.M. , Sutradhar R. , Fassbender K. , McGrail K. , Barbera L. , Burge F. , Peacock S.J. , Hoch J.S.
Published: March 2016

Background: Research has demonstrated that increases in palliative homecare nursing are associated with a reduction in the rate of subsequent hospitalizations. However, little evidence is available about the cost-savings potential of palliative nursing when accounting for both increased nursing costs and potentially reduced hospital costs. Methods: Our retrospective cohort study included cancer decedents from British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia who received any palliative nursing in the last 6 months of life. A Poisson regression analysis was used to determine the association of increased nursing costs (in 2-week blocks) on the relative average hospital costs in the subsequent 2-week block and on the overall total cost (hospital costs plus nursing costs in the preceding 2-week block). Results: The cohort included 58,022 cancer decedents. Results of the analysis for the last month of life showed an association between increased nursing costs and decreased relative hospital costs in comparisons with a reference group (>0 to 1 hour nursing in the block): the maximum decrease was 55% for Ontario, 31% for British Columbia, and 38% for Nova Scotia. Also, increased nursing costs in the last month were almost always associated with lower total costs in comparison with the reference. For example, cost savings per person-block ranged from $376 (>10 nursing hours) to $1,124 (>4 to 6 nursing hours) in British Columbia. Conclusions: In the last month of life, increased palliative nursing costs (compared with costs for >0 to 1 hour of nursing in the block) were associated with lower relative hospital costs and a lower total cost in a subsequent block. Our research suggests a cost-savings potential associated with increased community-based palliative nursing.
Formulating alcohol-influenced driver’s injury severities in intersection-related crashes
Authors: Wu Qiong , Zhang Guohui
Published: March 2016

Approximately one third of all traffic fatal crashes are alcohol-related in the US according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol-related crashes cost more than $37 billion annually. Considerable research efforts are needed to understand better significant causal factors for alcohol-related crash risks and driver’s injury severities in order to develop effective countermeasures and proper policies for system-wide traffic safety performance improvements. Furthermore, since two thirds of urban Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) is on signal-controlled roadways, it is of practical importance to investigate injury severities of all drivers who are involved in intersection-related crashes and their corresponding significant causal factors due to control and geometric impacts on flow progression interruptions. This study aims to identify and quantify the impacts of alcohol/non-alcohol-influenced driver’s behavior and demographic features as well as geometric and environmental characteristics on driver’s injury severities around intersections in New Mexico. The econometric models, multinomial Logit models, were developed to analyze injury severities for regular sober drivers and alcohol-influenced drivers, respectively, using the crash data collected in New Mexico from 2010 to 2011. Elasticity analyzes were conducted in order to understand better the quantitative impacts of these contributing factors on driver’s injury outcomes. The research findings provide a better understanding of contributing factors and their impacts on driver injury severities in crashes around intersections. For example, the probability of having severe injuries is higher for non-alcohol-influenced drivers when the drivers are 65 years old or older. Drivers’ left-turning action will increase non-alcohol-influenced driver injury severities in crash occurring around intersections. However, different characteristics are captured for alcohol-influenced drivers involved in intersection-related crashes. For example, more severe injuries of alcohol-influenced drivers can be observed around intersections with three or more lanes on each approach. The model specifications and estimation results are also helpful for transportation agencies and decision makers to develop cost-effective solutions to reduce alcohol-involved crash severities and improve traffic system safety performance.
Report on von Willebrand Disease in Malaysia
Authors: Periayah Mercy Halleluyah , Halim Ahmad Sukari , Mat Saad Arman Zaharil , Yaacob Nik Soriani , Karim Faraizah Abdul
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is an inherited hemostatic disorder that affects the hemostasis pathway. The worldwide prevalence of vWD is estimated to be 1% of the general population but only 0.002% in Malaysia.AIM: Our present paper has been written to disclose the statistical counts on the number of vWD cases reported from 2011 to 2013.MATERIAL AND METHODS: This article is based on sociodemographic data, diagnoses and laboratory findings of vWD in Malaysia. A total of 92 patients were reported to have vWD in Malaysia from 2011 to 2013.RESULTS: Sociodemographic-analysis revealed that 60% were females, 63% were of the Malay ethnicity, 41.3% were in the 19-44 year old age group and 15.2% were from Sabah, with the East region having the highest registered number of vWD cases. In Malaysia, most patients are predominately affected by vWD type 1 (77.2%). Factor 8, von Willebrand factor: Antigen and vWF: Collagen-Binding was the strongest determinants in the laboratory profiles of vWD.CONCLUSION: This report has been done with great interest to provide an immense contribution from Malaysia, by revealing the statistical counts on vWD from 2011-2013.
The concept of cointegration: the decisive meeting between Hendry and Granger (1975)
Authors: Meuriot Véronique
Published: March 2016

Le concept de cointégration est reconnu par la communauté internationale depuis l’article de 1987, signé Engle et Granger et publié dans Econometrica . Cependant, la cointégration n’aurait pu voir le jour sans la rencontre entre Hendry et Granger en novembre 1975. Le rôle de Hendry est passé sous silence dans la littérature économique alors qu’il est le lien entre les travaux de Sargan – qui conduiront aux modèles à correction d’erreur – et ceux de Granger sur les régressions fallacieuses. Cette liaison sera réalisée par l’analyse de la cointégration. Nous étudions l’histoire de la cointegration avant 1987, particulièrement le rôle joué par Hendry qui reliera les différents travaux sur l’irrégularité de l’erreur au cours de deux périodes.
La pensée de François Simiand au prisme de sa conception monétaire : une proposition d’interprétation
Authors: Mathieu Alban
Published: March 2016

Ce texte tente de montrer le lien permanent qui existe dans la pensée de François Simiand entre, d’un côté, la théorie des cycles longs, et de l’autre, sa conception monétaire. La question centrale est de voir comment la conception monétaire de cet auteur constitue le fondement théorique de l’ensemble de sa théorie économique. En effet, elle est au fondement de sa typologie économique, le facteur initiant le progrès économique et ce, par le fait d’être un fait social total. A cet effet, nous pourrons aussi affiner le rapport qui existe entre les actions de l’Homme et la monnaie. L’ensemble sera alors mis en relation pour mettre en évidence le lien théorique qui existe entre conception monétaire, théorie des cycles longs et conception de l’homme.
Anti-inflammatory effects of Lactobacillus brevis K65 on RAW 264.7 cells and in mice with dextran sulphate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis
Authors: Liu Y.-W. , Ong W.-K. , Su Y.-W. , Hsu C.-C. , Cheng T.-H. , Tsai Y.-C.
Published: March 2016

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with anti-inflammatory effects may be beneficial to the prevention or treatment for inflammation-related diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases. In an in vitro assay, heat-killed Lactobacillus brevis K65 (K65) reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitric oxide, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and prostaglandin E2 in RAW 264.7 cells. In RAW 264.7 cells stably expressing an ind=ucible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) reporter, viable K65 showed greater inhibition of iNOS production than its heat-killed form. In order to further examine the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of K65, viable K65 was orally administered to BALB/c mice before and during the period of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). K65 improved UC symptoms, including reduced the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, and lowered the activity of myeloperoxidase. Furthermore, K65 inhibited TNF-α, cyclo-oxygenase 2, forkhead box P3, and Toll-like receptor 4 mRNA expression in the colonic tissue of DSS-induced UC mice. Taken together, K65, a LAB with in vitro anti-inflammatory activity showed preventive effects on mice with DSS-induced UC by lowering the expression of inflammatory molecules.
Living cells of probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum YIT 10347 detected on gastric mucosa in humans
Authors: Shibahara-Sone H. , Gomi A. , Iino T. , Kano M. , Nonaka C. , Watanabe O. , Miyazaki K. , Ohkusa T.
Published: March 2016

The probiotic strain Bifidobacterium bifidum YIT 10347 has been demonstrated to inhibit Helicobacter pylori activity, prevent injury to the gastric mucosa, and improve general gastric malaise symptoms in H. pylori positive patients. This study aimed to investigate the adhering activity and localisation of B. bifidum YIT 10347 to gastric cells and tissue in vitro, and in human in vivo to clarify the mechanism of its beneficial effects on the stomach. The in vitro study found the adhesion rate of B. bifidum YIT 10347 to human gastric epithelial cells was about 10 times higher than that of lactic acid bacteria and other bifidobacteria. In the human study, 5 H. pylori negative and 12 H. pylori positive subjects ingested milk fermented with B. bifidum YIT 10347. B. bifidum YIT 10347 cells were measured by RT-qPCR for in gastric biopsy samples. Living B. bifidum YIT 10347 cells were detected in the biopsy samples in H. pylori negative subjects (105 cells/g and 104 cells/g at 1 h and 2 h after ingestion, respectively) and H. pylori positive subjects (104 cells/g at 1 h after the ingestion). Moreover, immunostaining analysis of tissue sections found that B. bifidum YIT 10347 cells were located at the interstitial mucin layer of the stomach. These results suggest that cells of probiotic B. bifidum YIT 10347 adhered to the human gastric mucosa in a live state, and that the higher adhering activity of B. bifidum YIT 10347 to the gastric mucosa may be involved in its beneficial effects on the human stomach.
Determination of fatty acid content in some edible insects of Mexico
Authors: Pino Moreno J.M. , Ganguly A.
Published: March 2016

In the present paper we have determined the fatty acid content of some edible insects of Mexico. A comparative analysis of the insect species studied in this research showed that caproic acid was present in a minimal proportion which ranged between 0.01 forPeriplaneta americana (nymphs) and 0.06 (g/100 g, dry basis) forEuschistus strenuus. The highest proportion of caprilic acid (0.09) was found inTenebrio molitor (adults).Atta sp. had the highest amount of capric acid (0.26).Polistes sp. was found to be rich in lauric acid (0.77) and for myristic acid it had the highest content (5.64).Dactylopius sp. andE. strenuus were rich in palmitic acid (14.89).Euschistus taxcoensis had the highest quantity of palmitoleic acid (12.06).Llaveia axin exhibited the highest quantity of stearic acid (22.75).Polistes sp. was found to be rich in oleic acid (38.28). The highest quantity of linoleic acid was observed inT. molitor (larvae) (10.89), and inL. axin the highest content of linolenic acid (7.82) was obtained. A comparison between the species under the present investigation revealed that, in general, the insects are poor in caproic, caprilic, capric, lauric, myristic, palmitoleic and linolenic acids, because the quantities were either minimal or could not be detected at all. They had moderate quantities of stearic, palmitic and linoleic acids and had high quantities of oleic acid. Finally it was concluded that although a particular insect species is unable to fulfil the total fatty acid need for a human, if consumed in combination they could definitely be able to supply a good amount of this highly valued nutrient.
Modelling approach to limit aflatoxin B1 contamination in dairy cattle compound feed
Authors: van der Fels-Klerx H.J. , Bouzembrak Y.
Published: March 2016

Feeding dairy cattle with safe compound feed helps farmers to ensure food safety. However, several ingredients often used in compound feed production can be contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), which may result into milk contaminated with aflatoxin M1. Given the number of ingredients and their amounts used in the production of compound feed, it is very costly to check every batch of ingredients for AFB1 contamination. Which is the reason, why a risk-based approach is taken in the latest years. This study aimed to estimate the probability of AFB1 contamination of compound feed for dairy cattle, and to limit this contamination, by optimisation of the compound feed formulation, using a modelling approach. The modelling approach comprised integrating a linear optimisation programming model to a Monte Carlo simulation model. This model was applied to the case of producing compound feed for dairy cattle in the Netherlands, using national monitoring data on AFB1 contamination in feed materials collected in the period 2000-2010. Results from this case study showed the model can be used to produce safe compound feed with the lowest possible probability of AFB1 contamination.
Evaluation of renalin vitro models used in ochratoxin research
Authors: Heussner A.H. , Paget T.
Published: March 2016

Ochratoxin A (OTA) induces renal carcinomas in rodents with a specific localisation in the S3 segment of proximal tubules and distinct early severe tissue alterations, which have been observed also in other species. Pronounced species- and sex-specific differences in toxicity occur and similar effects cannot be excluded in humans, however precise mechanism(s) remain elusive until today. In such cases, the use ofin vitro models for mechanistic investigations can be very useful; in particular if a non-genotoxic mechanism of cancer formation is assumed which include cytotoxic effects. However, potential genotoxic mechanisms can also be investigatedin vitro. A crucial issue ofin vitro research is the choice of the appropriate cell model. Apparently, the cellular target of OTA is the renal proximal tubular cell; therefore cells from this tissue area are the most reasonable model. Furthermore, cells from affected species should be used and can be compared to cells of human origin. Another important parameter is whether to use primary cultures or to choose a cell line from the huge variety of cell lines available. In any case, important characteristics and quality controls need to be verified beforehand. Therefore, this review discusses the renalin vitro models that have been used for the investigation of renal ochratoxin toxicity. In particular, we discuss the choice of the models and the essential parameters making them suitable models for ochratoxin research together with exemplary results from this research. Furthermore, new promising models such as hTERT-immortalised cells and 3D-cultures are briefly discussed.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MUSIC ON HUMAN BIOLOGICAL SIGNALS
Authors: Khazaei Dorrin , Setarehdan Seyed Kamaledin , Mehran Yasaman Zandi
Published: March 2016

Music therapy is a common approach to reduce stress and anxiety levels. To examine the effect of different types of music on stress levels, forty Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) patients were assigned randomly to one of four groups exposed to a specific kind of music described in this research. The electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded from Cz placement along with skin conductance and temperature recordings for each subject. Also, commonly used clinical questionnaires were used to determine the patients, stress levels. In the classical music group, significant increments in the alpha relative power occurred. Additionaly, in the preferred music group, the relative power of the beta EEG rhythm significantly decreased. These results were compatible with clinical results. Our study showed that music therapy for GAD patients could be used as a powerful method to reduce stress and anxiety. Furthermore, the skin conductance is analyzed and incremental increase in two groups is observed.
CREATION OF CLINICALLY-DIFFERENTIAL TUMOR MIMIC MODEL USING VASELINE-BASED MATERIALS WITH BARIUM SULFATE FOR THE VALIDATION OF REAL-TIME ULTRASOUND IMAGE-GUIDED LIVER BIOPSY SYSTEM
Authors: Li Cheng , Teo Jin Yao , Wu Jiaze , Gogna Apoorva , Tan Bien Soo , Ooi London Lucien , Liu Jimin , Yu Haoyong
Published: March 2016

Testing objects are important for the validation of developing biopsy systems. Unfortunately, they are very hard to obtain. Motivated by this issue, the purpose of this study is to develop a technique for the easy creation of a model to simulate tumors of different sizes inside porcine livers, which could be used for ultrasound image-guided liver biopsy amongst other applications, and evaluate its performance by comparing to the more widely-used approaches in-vivo and ex-vivo. In this study, a Vaseline-based tumor model, and a more widely-used agar-based tumor model to provide comparison with the proposed method were created and injected into porcine livers as biopsy targets. The clinician located simulated tumors using real-time 2D imaging under the guidance of a robotic arm to delivery the biopsy in ex-vivo and in-vivo experiments. The results show that the optimum tumor model was created from a mixture of Vaseline, glycerol, and barium sulfate which can be easily produced and injected. All Vaseline-based simulated tumors were of solid, palpable mass on gross examination, and ultrasound imaging revealed clearly visible lesions. The clinician successfully performed ultrasound image guided liver biopsy in all the trials (10/10) in the ex-vivo experiment, and 2 out of 3 trials (2/3) in the in-vivo experiment on this optimum tumor model. We described a novel technique of creating solid liver tumor models that can be used for ultrasound image-guided liver biopsy.
POSTURAL STEADINESS AFTER PROLONGED STANDING ON DIFFERENT SLOPED SURFACE IN YOUNG HEALTHY ADULTS
Authors: Lin Yun-Chung , Tsai Liang-Ching , Cheng Hsin-Yi Kathy , Lin Yang-Hua , Cheng Chih-Hsiu
Published: March 2016

Prolonged standing is related to various health problems such as lower back pain and lower extremity discomfort. This study was to investigate the effects of prolonged standing on posture control and whether the sloped surface is beneficial to adults who are required to stand for a long period of time. Twenty young healthy adults (age: [Formula: see text] years, height: [Formula: see text] cm, weight: [Formula: see text] kg, 6 males and 14 females) participated in this study. They were asked to perform a sixty-second quiet-standing evaluation first (i.e. the pre-test condition), then the thirty-minute standing test, and followed by the sixty-second standing test again (i.e. the post-test condition). They stood barefoot quietly on a force plate watching a video on television located 2 m ahead. Three sloped conditions, i.e. the level ground, inclined (with the ankle dorsiflexed), and declined (with the ankle plantarflexed), were randomly examined on separate days. The trajectory, maximal anteroposterior/mediolateral displacement, sway area, and complexity index (CI) of the center of pressure (CoP) during the standing tests were analyzed. Ten-point visual analogue scale (VAS) for perceived fatigue was also recorded. One-way ANOVA and paired t-test were used to analyze postural changes among sloped conditions before and after the prolonged standing.

Signs of fatigue (VAS were [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for the level, inclined, and declined conditions, respectively) and significant increases in all CoP measures for the three slope conditions after thirty minutes of standing (all [Formula: see text]) were noted. Trajectory was greatest under inclined, followed by the declined and level conditions ([Formula: see text]). The CI was generally greater under the declined surface than the level and inclined surfaces along with the thirty-minute standing.

These findings indicated that prolonged standing resulted in fatigue and increased postural changes, particularly on the inclined surface. A greater complexity on the declined surface implied that participants had better adaptability while standing on a declined surface than a flat or inclined surface. Current findings suggested that a declined surface could be a suitable choice for a prolonged standing and further studies are warranted to evaluate its efficacy on different career workers.
A Novel Mutation Strategy for Differential Evolution
Authors: Zaheer Hira , Pant Millie , Kumar Sushil , Monakhov Oleg
Published: March 2016

Differential Evolution (DE) has attained the reputation of a powerful optimization technique that can be used for solving a wide range of problems. In DE, mutation is the most important operator as it helps in generating a new solution vector. In this paper we propose an additional mutation strategy for DE. The suggested strategy is named DE/rand-best/2. It makes use of an additional parameter called guiding force parameter K, which takes a value between (0,1) besides using the scaling factor F, which has a fixed value. De/rand-best/2 makes use of two difference vectors, where the difference is taken from the best solution vector. One vector difference will be produced with a randomly generated mutation factor K (0,1). It will add a different vector to the old one and search space will increase with a random factor. Result shows that this strategy performs well in comparison to other mutation strategies of DE.
Optimization of Dairy Feeding Models with C-SOMGA
Authors: Saxena Pratiksha , Singh Dipti , Khanna Neha
Published: March 2016

This chapter presents a self-organizing migrating genetic algorithm(C-SOMGA) for animal diet formulation. Bi-objective models for cost minimization and shelf life maximization are developed and objectives are achieved by combination of linear and C-SOMGA. Self-organizing migrating genetic algorithm provides exact and quick solution and an innovative approach towards successful application of soft computing technique in the area of animal diet formulation.