bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality characteristics of Takju according to different rice varieties and mixing ratio of Nuruk
Authors: Im So-Yeon , Baek Chang-Ho , Baek Seong-Yeol , Park Hye-Young , Choi Han-Seok , Choi Ji-Ho , Jeong Seok-Tae , Shin Woo-Chang , Park Heui-Dong , Yeo Soo-Hwan
Published: February 2015

The quality characteristics of Takju were investigated according to the different rice varieties and mixing ratio of Nuruk for the advanced quality of Takju. The yeast was selected by alcohol-producing ability. Then a liquid starter was prepared using brewing fungi (Aspergillus luchuensis 34-1 and Lichtheimia ramosa CN042), and rice Nuruk was manufactured with two rice types (Chucheong and Hanareum). The quality characteristics of Takju were investigated based on the rice type and the mixing ratio of A. luchuensis 34-1 and Lich. ramosa CN042 (1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 1:3). S. cerevisiae Y268 showed an alcohol yield of 9.3±0.33% at a 0.3% concentration in the YPD broth medium, and the rice Nuruk with A. luchuensis 34-1, regardless of rice type, was confirmed to have a higher enzyme activity and physiochemical property than Lich. ramosa CN042. According to the quality analysis of Takju, the physiochemical property was increased for the fermentation period, and the acidity differed by type of fungi and rice. The quality of Takju was changed with the composition differences of organic acid and free amino acid by rice type and mixing ratio. As a result of the sensory evaluation of Takju, the preference for it was increased with the Hanareum and A. luchuensis 34-1, respectively. Thus, this study shows the possibilities for activating the industry of traditional liquor by improving the Nuruk and Takju manufacturing technique.
Effect of varying the amount of water added on the characteristics of mash fermented using modified Nuruk for distilled-Soju production
Authors: Choi Han-Seok , Kim Eu-Gene , Kang Ji-Eun , Choi Ji-Ho , Yeo Soo-Hwan , Jeong Seok-Tae
Published: February 2015

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of varying the amount of water added on the characteristics of mash fermented using modified Nuruk for distilled-Soju production. As the amount of water added to the mash increased from 120 to 300%, the pH dropped from 4.6 to 4.2, resulting in reductions in the acidity from 6.0 to 5.2, in the amino acid level from 6.0 to 4.2, and in the soluble-solid content from 18.4 to 7.4 °Brix. The alcohol concentration of the mash was highest at 17.6%, when 150% water was added, while the alcohol yield showed water-content-dependent increases of 59.7, 74.5, 80.8, 82.8, 89.4, and 90.6% with 120, 150, 180, 200, 250, and 300% water added, respectively. The values of the organic-acid content in the mash were 207.85, 222.38, 222.06, 204.56, 194.34, and 204.34 mg/100 mL, showing the highest values when 150 and 180% water was added. The total amino-acid content showed water-content-dependent decreases at 474.60, 317.32, 241.89, 244.51, 189.00, and 208.12 mg/100 mL, with arginine, alanine, glutamic acid, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, tyrosine, and valine as the major components. The concentrations of isobutanol, isoamyl alcohol, 1-propanol, and 2-phenylalcohol were 154.88~182.62, 320.59~394.47, 91.50~170.91, and 108.93~144.26 ppm, respectively, while ethyl acetate, acetaldehyde, furfural, and butyric acid were also detected.
Fermentation characteristics of cider from late harvest Fuji apples by a sugar tolerant yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae SS89
Authors: Kim Dong-Hyun , Lee Sae-Byuk , Park Heui-Dong
Published: February 2015

Normal- and late-harvested Fuji apples were fermented using the rapid-fermenting yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae SS89. The late-harvest apples showed a slightly higher soluble-solid content with a lower level of total-acid and moisture (p<0.05) contents as well as hardness (p<0.05) than the normal-harvest apples. During the fermentation, the apples had similar changes in the pH and total-acid content regardless of the harvest time, but the increases in the alcohol content and yeast viable count with the decrease of the soluble-solid content were more rapid in the late-harvest apples than in the normal-harvest apples. After the completion of the fermentation, the soluble-solid and alcohol contents became very similar. The late-harvest cider showed a high total phenolic-compound content and a high DPPH radical scavenging effect, although these were slightly lower than those of the normal-harvest cider. It also showed a higher malic-acid content and higher hue color (p<0.05), Hunter’s L, and b (p<0.05) values than the normal-harvest cider. In the sensory evaluation, the late-harvest cider obtained a higher score in taste and a lower score in color compared to the normal-harvest cider.
Multispectral Phloem-Mobile Probes: Properties and Applications
Authors: Knoblauch Michael , Vendrell Marc , de Leau Erica , Paterlini Andrea , Knox Kirsten , Ross-Elliot Tim , Reinders Anke , Brockman Stephen A. , Ward John , Oparka Karl
Published: February 2015

Using Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seedlings, we identified a range of small fluorescent probes that entered the translocation stream and were unloaded at the root tip. These probes had absorbance/emission maxima ranging from 367/454 to 546/576 nm and represent a versatile toolbox for studying phloem transport. Of the probes that we tested, naturally occurring fluorescent coumarin glucosides (esculin and fraxin) were phloem loaded and transported in oocytes by the sucrose transporter, AtSUC2. Arabidopsis plants in which AtSUC2 was replaced with barley (Hordeum vulgare) sucrose transporter (HvSUT1), which does not transport esculin in oocytes, failed to load esculin into the phloem. In wild-type plants, the fluorescence of esculin decayed to background levels about 2 h after phloem unloading, making it a suitable tracer for pulse-labeling studies of phloem transport. We identified additional probes, such as carboxytetraethylrhodamine, a red fluorescent probe that, unlike esculin, was stable for several hours after phloem unloading and could be used to study phloem transport in Arabidopsis lines expressing green fluorescent protein.
Balanced scorecard metrics and specific supply chain roles
Authors: Cunha Callado Antônio André , Jack Lisa
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The overarching question here is whether common balanced scorecards (BSCs) are possible between partners in supply networks. The purpose of this paper is to form four independent samples of Brazilian input suppliers, producers, distributors and retailers from the agri-food industry to identify how many of the metrics used in BSCs can be related to specific supply chain (SC) roles.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey of 121 agribusiness companies was undertaken. Usage of indicators was identified through percentages, while the groups of performance indicators for the SC roles considered were identified through two reference values.

Findings

– Customer satisfaction was the single metric present within the BSC framework for all SC roles. Different SC roles showed different compositions of indicators used.

Research limitations/implications

– The research findings are descriptive and based on responses provided by senior managers. A new perspective of the use of specific performance metrics by different SC participants is seen.

Practical implications

– Performance measurement within SCs needs to consider the specific measures used by different roles within the SC. The data suggest that any implementation of performance measurement systems for supply networks should consider performance indicators that are common to the role-type and specific to the constituent companies.

Originality/value

– The findings contribute to the debate on whether a common set of measures in a scorecard can be used between SC partners. The findings suggest that it may be very difficult to achieve a BSC framework that is common and practical for all SC participants and that other alternatives should be investigated.
Mahalanobis Taguchi system: a review
Authors: Ghasemi Elham , Aaghaie Abdollah , Cudney Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present and analyze the current literature related to developing and improving the Mahalanobis-Taguchi system (MTS) and to present the shortcomings related to this method for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, articles in the literature are classified to give an overview on the MT strategy. For this purpose, 46 articles are considered for classification from 2000 to 2013 on the basis of: MTS contribution area, description of the issue, and results.

Findings

– In this paper a review on the concepts and operations of the MTS was provided as a new method in the field of pattern recognition, multivariable diagnosis, and forecasting. A large number of studies were performed in recent years consisting of developing MTS and MTS case studies. The analysis of the articles showed the fields of MTS which had more potential for future studies and developing. The comparison of the MTS to other methods and the selection of the normal group for constructing the Mahalanobis space have received the most attention by researchers. In addition, several studies concentrated on the use of other methods instead of design of experiments, finding applications for multiclass MTS and finding an alternative for the SN ratio.

Originality/value

– This paper contains the publications in the field of MTS chronologically and shows different areas for developing and case studies. It will be useful to researchers and professionals who are interested in pattern recognition, multivariate analysis, and forecasting.
Service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty in automobile repair services sector
Authors: Izogo Ernest Emeka , Ogba Ike-Elechi
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to explore the dimensional structure of the SERVQUAL scale within non-western service setting as well as the impact of service quality dimensions on customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

– A quantitative approach was employed, using 32-item, seven-point Likert-scaled questionnaire administered to 384 participants with 55.99 per cent usable response rate. Data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach’s internal consistency andγtest to, respectively, measure scale suitability, usability and strength/direction of association.

Findings

– The outcome from the study was the reduction of the 32 items to 26 scale items with 0.929 totalαscore. Further outcomes show that service quality dimensions are significant predictors of customer satisfaction and loyalty with the commitment dimension accounting for the highest degree of this impact.

Research limitations/implications

– Findings failed to corroborate past research as it was established that distinct efforts to measure customer satisfaction and loyalty within non-western service contexts proved to be less useful. However, outcomes cannot be generalized and as such, the modified scale that emerged from this research should receive more rigorous tests in other emerging services contexts.

Practical implications

– Automobile repair services firms within Ebonyi State will be better placed in their strategic responses to customer loyalty if they boost customers’ satisfaction through excellent service quality improvement actions.

Social implications

– The best way to enhance the welfare of the consumers of automobile repair services in Ebonyi State is by improving the empathy, tangibles, responsiveness, reliability and commitment dimensions of service quality.

Originality/value

– The paper demonstrates that the commitment dimension of service quality emerged as the most significant predictor of customer satisfaction and loyalty. The research also demonstrates that satisfied customers will definitely be loyal because a distinct effort to measure customer satisfaction and loyalty was found to be less useful.
Ambidextrous leadership and team innovation
Authors: Zacher Hannes , Rosing Kathrin
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report the first empirical test of the recently proposed ambidexterity theory of leadership for innovation (Rosinget al., 2011). This theory proposes that the interaction between two complementary leadership behaviors – opening and closing – predicts team innovation, such that team innovation is highest when both opening and closing leadership behaviors are high.

Design/methodology/approach

– Multi-source survey data came from 33 team leaders of architectural and interior design firms and 90 of their employees.

Findings

– Results supported the interaction hypothesis, even after controlling for leaders’ transformational leadership behavior and general team success.

Research limitations/implications

– The relatively small sample size and the cross-sectional design are potential limitations of the study. The findings provide initial support for the central hypothesis of the ambidexterity theory of leadership for innovation.

Practical implications

– The results suggest that organizations could train team leaders’ ambidextrous leadership behaviors to increase team innovation.

Social implications

– Identifying ways to facilitate organizational innovation is important, as it contributes to employment and company growth as well as individual and societal well-being.

Originality/value

– This multi-source study contributes to the literatures on leadership and innovation in organizations by showing that ambidextrous leadership behaviors predict team innovation above and beyond transformational leadership behavior.
Use and perceptions of e-books in Derbyshire libraries
Authors: Martindale Graham , Willett Peter , Jones Roger
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the new e-lending scheme on the users of libraries operated by Derbyshire County Council.

Design/methodology/approach

– A web-based questionnaire was distributed to current and recent users of the e-lending service, and 452 responses were obtained.

Findings

– The service is very highly valued, and its users would wish it to be continued and, if possible, extended and improved, most obviously by increasing the stock. The principal motivating factors for use of the service are convenience and time-saving, as opposed to physical remoteness from a library or accessibility issues.

Originality/value

– This is one of the first, and the largest, surveys in the UK of a public library e-lending service, and it provides guidance for the future development of such services.
Do engineering master’s students know what they don’t know?
Authors: Johnson Paula C , Simonsen Jennifer E.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to determine whether engineering master’s students at a medium-sized university use library-provided abstracting and indexing (A&I) services (e.g. Compendex), and if they do, to what extent, in what manner and for what purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

– A mixed methodology approach was used to explore electronic information-seeking patterns of engineering master’s students at New Mexico State University. Usage statistics, a focus group and a Web-based survey were used, the latter composed of 17 questions using a critical incident approach and direct questions to probe: reasons for and method of search, types of materials used (with relative frequencies), means of obtaining materials and evaluations of the usefulness of five library-provided A&I services.

Findings

– Only 15 per cent of respondents used a subscription A&I service such as Compendex when searching specific terms. The majority of sources used were located through known term searches, and master’s learned of these information resources through article citations or conversations with colleagues. Half the respondents reported using Google Scholar to find the last scholarly article they had read. Engineering master’s students – similar to practicing engineers – evaluate the costs associated with obtaining information, and may “satisfice”. Even so, students expressed interest in increasing their knowledge of skills and strategies to find worthwhile electronic information.

Originality/value

– This study sheds light on engineering master’s students’ use of A&I services, and examines their perceptions of five of these services commonly provided by academic libraries.
Use of different information and communication technologies in Indian academic libraries
Authors: Husain Shabahat , Nazim Mohammad
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to present an exploration of the potential utilisation of different information and communication technologies (ICT) in Indian academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey method was used for the collection of data. A structured questionnaire, containing close-ended questions, was sent by postal mail to 30 librarians of the Central University Libraries in India, of which 15 questionnaires were returned.

Findings

– Academic libraries in India have mostly been involved in applying traditional ICT-based solutions for the management of various library functions and services, particularly for organising and retrieving information. Use of modern ICT-based tools of knowledge creation and sharing such as web discovery tools, blogs, wikis, Real Simple Syndication feeds, social networking and social bookmarking seems uncommon in academic libraries. Lack of trained staff in ICT, low level of ICT skills among library users, unawareness of potential benefits of ICT and inadequate ICT infrastructure were found as the major barriers of ICT applications in academic libraries.

Practical implications

– Academic libraries in India are still in the early stage of understanding the importance of modern ICTs. Librarians should renovate existing library environment and develop knowledge and skills among their staff in the fields of computer programming, website or portal development, hardware maintenance and metadata or e-resource management for providing quality information services to their users.

Originality/value

– Because no empirical study on the use ICT-based knowledge management (KM) tools in academic libraries in India has been carried out before, this study closes this gap and provides guidelines for practising librarians, policy makers, management and the University Grants Commission of India to promote the use of ICTs in libraries, and to design courses of information communication technology and related skills.
Webbs on the Web: libraries, digital humanities and collaboration
Authors: Fay Ed , Nyhan Julianne
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to make a contribution to the ongoing debates about the nature, value and potential of closer collaboration between digital humanities (DH) and the library sector by identifying and contextualising the types of new knowledge that were created through such a collaboration on the London School of Economics’s Webbs on the Web project.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative approach comprising a literature review, a case study of Webbs on the Web, a summary and analysis of the results of user testing and a critical analysis of the collaboration itself.

Findings

– A deeper understanding of the complementary skills of library professionals and DH researchers and how they may best be utilised in digital library development will lead,ceteris paribus, to richer and more fit-for-purpose digital scholarly resources. This is exemplified by Webbs on the Web, where the unique but complementary perspectives that such groups brought to user testing enhanced the usability of the resource for a wide range of audiences. Furthermore, the kinds of collaborations that characterised this project reflect broader changes in academic communities and digital library development, and a host of mutually beneficial outcomes can be pursued as a result of such changes.

Originality/value

– We demonstrate the benefits that can flow from breaking down boundaries and hierarchies between the academic library professional and DH researcher. We advance the current literature by providing concrete examples of practice; much of the current literature tends to be more abstract in nature.
Contract moderation effects on temporary agency workers’ affective organizational commitment and perceptions of support
Authors: Giunchi Marianna , Chambel Maria José , Ghislieri Chiara
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– Temporary agency workers (TAWs) have a double employment relationship: one with the agency that hires them with a formal contract, either temporary or permanent; and another with the client organization where they actually perform their work. As the social-exchange theory assumes that TAWs respond to the support they receive from both organizations with affective commitment toward the respective organization. The purpose of this paper is to propose that the type of contract with the agency moderates these relationships, specifically that permanent TAWs present a stronger relationship between perceived organizational support (POS) and affective organizational commitment (AOC) toward the agency and, to the contrary, that temporary TAWs show a greater relationship between POS and AOC toward the client.

Design/methodology/approach

– The hypotheses were tested with a sample of 522 Portuguese TAWs, of which 265 were temporaries and 257 were permanents. Data were collected with a self-report questionnaire and analyzed with multigroup analysis using the AMOS program.

Findings

– The authors verified that POS from both the employment agency and the client organization were related to the TAWs’ affective commitment to each respective organization. Furthermore, the relationship between POS from the employment agency and the affective commitment to this organization was stronger in permanent than in temporary TAWs. However, contrary to the expectations, the contract with the agency did not moderate the relationship with client organizations: temporary and permanent TAWs showed a similar relationship between POS from this organization and their affective commitment toward it.

Practical implications

– These findings show the important organizational role of both the employment agency and the client in supporting their TAWs and attending to the type of contract they have with the employment agency.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to the analysis of the TAWs’ double employment relationship and highlights the role of the agency contract in the explanation of these relationships.
Sustainable decision making for emerging educational technologies in libraries
Authors: Hayman Richard , Smith Erika E
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to discuss approaches to sustainable decision-making for integrating emerging educational technologies in library instruction while supporting evidence-based practice (EBP).

Design/methodology/approach

– This article highlights recent trends in emerging educational technologies and EBP and details a model for supporting evidence informed decision-making. This viewpoint article draws on an analysis of recent literature, as well as experience from professional practice.

Findings

– Authors discuss the need for sustainable decision-making that addresses a perceived lack of evidence surrounding emerging technologies, a dilemma that many library educators and practitioner-researchers will have faced in their own library instruction. To support the evidence-informed selection and integration of emerging educational technologies, a two-pronged model is presented, beginning with an articulation of pedagogical aims, alignment of technological affordances to these aims and support of this alignment via hard evidence available in the research literature, as well as soft evidence found in the environmental scan.

Originality/value

– This article provides an outline and synthesis of key issues of relevance to library practitioners working within a challenging and ever-changing landscape of technologies available for learning and instruction. The proposed approach aims to create a sustainable model for addressing problems of evidence and will benefit academic librarians considering emerging educational technologies in their own pedagogy, as well as those who support the pedagogy of others.
Susceptibility of Vibrio aestuarianus 01/032 to the antibacterial activity of Mytilus haemolymph: identification of a serum opsonin involved in mannose‐sensitive interactions
Authors: Pezzati Elisabetta , Canesi Laura , Damonte Gianluca , Salis Annalisa , Marsano Francesco , Grande Chiara , Vezzulli Luigi , Pruzzo Carla
Published: February 2015

The interactions of Vibrio aestuarianus 01/032 with haemolymph of the bivalves Mytilus galloprovincialis and Crassostrea gigas were investigated to understand if haemolymph components (haemocytes and soluble factors) could be involved in the higher resistance to microbial infection shown by mussels in comparison with oysters. Although 01/032 bacteria adhered to haemocytes of both bivalves, they were sensitive to the bactericidal activity of whole haemolymph from mussel, but not from oyster; in addition, adhesion to mussel (but not oyster) haemocytes was affected by D‐mannose. Mussel serum opsonins directed towards D‐mannose‐binding bacterial ligands were purified by affinity chromatography and were shown to mediate 01/032 interactions with M. galloprovincialis haemocytes. Nano‐High Performance Liquid Chromatography‐Electrospray Ionization‐Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS) analysis showed that the purified opsonin matched the protein precursor of Mytilus edulis extrapallial protein (EP). In the presence of M. galloprovincialis EP protein (MgEP), C. gigas haemocytes killed V. aestuarianus 01/032 almost as efficiently as mussel phagocytes. These findings suggest that the different sensitivity of 01/032 strain to the antibacterial activity of oyster and mussel haemolymph might partly depend on the fact that C. gigas serum lacks MgEP‐like opsonins. These results represent the basis for understanding the different sensitivity to microbial infections shown by the two bivalve species.
Heavy water and 15N labelling with NanoSIMS analysis reveals growth rate‐dependent metabolic heterogeneity in chemostats
Authors: Kopf Sebastian H. , McGlynn Shawn E. , Green‐Saxena Abigail , Guan Yunbin , Newman Dianne K. , Orphan Victoria J.
Published: February 2015

To measure single‐cell microbial activity and substrate utilization patterns in environmental systems, we employ a new technique using stable isotope labelling of microbial populations with heavy water (a passive tracer) and 15N ammonium in combination with multi‐isotope imaging mass spectrometry. We demonstrate simultaneous NanoSIMS analysis of hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen at high spatial and mass resolution, and report calibration data linking single‐cell isotopic compositions to the corresponding bulk isotopic equivalents for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Our results show that heavy water is capable of quantifying in situ single‐cell microbial activities ranging from generational time scales of minutes to years, with only light isotopic incorporation (∼0.1 atom % 2H). Applying this approach to study the rates of fatty acid biosynthesis by single cells of S. aureus growing at different rates in chemostat culture (∼6 h, 1 day and 2 week generation times), we observe the greatest anabolic activity diversity in the slowest growing populations. By using heavy water to constrain cellular growth activity, we can further infer the relative contributions of ammonium versus amino acid assimilation to the cellular nitrogen pool. The approach described here can be applied to disentangle individual cell activities even in nutritionally complex environments.
Comparison of the Cryoprotective Effects of Trehalose, Alginate, and Its Oligosaccharides on Peeled Shrimp (Litopenaeus Vannamei) During Frozen Storage
Authors: Ma Lu‐kai , Zhang Bin , Deng Shang‐gui , Xie Chao
Published: February 2015

The cryoprotective effects of trehalose, alginate, and its oligosaccharides on peeled shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) during frozen storage was investigated by monitoring thawing loss, color, texture, myofibrillar protein content, Ca2+‐ATPase activity, and performing microscopic structural analysis. Data revealed significant (p < 0.05) inhibitory effects on thawing loss and textural variables (springiness and chewiness) in trehalose‐, alginate oligosaccharides‐, and sodium pyrophosphate‐treated shrimp compared with the control and alginate‐treated batches. L* values revealed that these saccharides had a positive effect on color stability during frozen storage. In addition, the results of chemical analyses showed that trehalose and alginate oligosaccharide treatments effectively maintained an increased myofibrillar protein content and Ca2+‐ATPase activity in frozen shrimp. In addition, hematoxylin & eosin staining and SDS‐PAGE confirmed that these cryoprotective saccharides slowed the degradation of muscle proteins and the damage to muscle tissue structures. Overall, the application of trehalose and alginate oligosaccharides to peeled frozen shrimp might maintain better quality and extend the commercialization of these refrigerated products.
Kinetic Study of the Radical Scavenging of Capsaicin in Homogeneous Solutions and Aqueous Triton X‐100 Micellar Suspensions
Authors: Watanabe Atsushi , Seno Shin‐ichiro , Kogure Eiki , Seki Kensuke , Sakamoto Takeshi , Okada Youji , Shimazu Hideaki
Published: February 2015

A kinetic study of capsaicin (CAP) toward radicals has been performed using stopped‐flow spectrophotometry in detail. The second‐order rate constants (k2) for the reaction of CAP toward 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and galvinoxyl have been measured in methanol, ethanol, 2‐propanol/water (5:1, v/v), and aqueous micellar suspensions containing 5% Triton X‐100 (pH 4.0 to 10.0), respectively. The decay rates of DPPH and galvinoxyl for the reaction with CAP increased linearly in a concentration‐dependent manner in homogeneous solutions and aqueous micellar suspensions. However, the k2 for CAP obtained in an aqueous micellar suspension showed notable pH dependence; that is, the reactivity of CAP increased with an increasing pH value from 4 to 10. In addition, a good correlation between the k2 value and the molar fraction of CAP (phenolate anion (CAP‐O−)/undeprotonated form (CAP‐OH)) was observed. These properties are associated with the pKa of CAP. Furthermore, it was found that the CAP‐O− reacts with galvinoxyl about 6 times as fast as the CAP‐OH. These results indicate that sequential proton loss electron transfer from the phenolic hydrogen of CAP may be responsible for the scavenging of radicals in an aqueous micellar suspensions.
DNAbarcoding and minibarcoding as a powerful tool for feather mite studies
Authors: Doña Jorge , Diaz‐Real Javier , Mironov Sergey , Bazaga Pilar , Serrano David , Jovani Roger
Published: February 2015

Feather mites (Astigmata: Analgoidea and Pterolichoidea) are among the most abundant and commonly occurring bird ectosymbionts. Basic questions on the ecology and evolution of feather mites remain unanswered because feather mite species identification is often only possible for adult males, and it is laborious even for specialized taxonomists, thus precluding large‐scale identifications. Here, we testedDNAbarcoding as a useful molecular tool to identify feather mites from passerine birds. Three hundred and sixty‐one specimens of 72 species of feather mites from 68 species of European passerine birds from Russia and Spain were barcoded. The accuracy of barcoding and minibarcoding was tested. Moreover, threshold choice (a controversial issue in barcoding studies) was also explored in a new way, by calculating through simulations the effect of sampling effort (in species number and species composition) on threshold calculations. We found one 200‐bp minibarcode region that showed the same accuracy as the full‐length barcode (602 bp) and was surrounded by conserved regions potentially useful for group‐specific degenerate primers. Species identification accuracy was perfect (100%) but decreased when singletons or species of theProctophyllodes pinnatusgroup were included. In fact, barcoding confirmed previous taxonomic issues within theP. pinnatusgroup. Following an integrative taxonomy approach, we compared our barcode study with previous taxonomic knowledge on feather mites, discovering three new putative cryptic species and validating three previous morphologically different (but still undescribed) new species.
DomeTree: a canonical toolkit for mitochondrial DNA analyses in domesticated animals
Authors: Peng Min‐Sheng , Fan Long , Shi Ni‐Ni , Ning Tiao , Yao Yong‐Gang , Murphy Robert W. , Wang Wen‐Zhi , Zhang Ya‐Ping
Published: February 2015

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is widely used in various genetic studies of domesticated animals. Many applications require comprehensive knowledge about the phylogeny of mtDNA variants. Herein, we provide the most up‐to‐date mtDNA phylogeny (i.e. haplogroup tree or matrilineal genealogy) and a standardized hierarchical haplogroup nomenclature system for domesticated cattle, dogs, goats, horses, pigs, sheep, yaks and chickens. These high‐resolution mtDNA haplogroup trees based on 1240 complete or near‐complete mtDNA genome sequences are available in open resource DomeTree (http://www.dometree.org). In addition, we offer the software MitoToolPy (http://www.mitotool.org/mp.html) to facilitate the mtDNA data analyses. We will continuously and regularly update DomeTree and MitoToolPy.
A phenological scale for the development of Gladiolus
Authors: Schwab N.T. , Streck N.A. , Becker C.C. , Langner J.A. , Uhlmann L.O. , Ribeiro B.S.M.R.
Published: February 2015

A staging system for development of gladiola (Gladiolus × grandiflorus) that relies on simple, visual, non‐destructive criteria is proposed. Four field trials were conducted during the spring 2010, autumn/winter 2011 and winter 2011 at Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, with different gladiola cultivars, in order to observe the developmental stages of the above‐ground parts and their dry matter. The developmental cycle, which starts at dormant corm and ends with plant senescence, is divided into four developmental phases: dormancy phase, sprouting phase (from filiform roots appearance to sheaths appearance), vegetative phase (from emergence of the first leaf tip to emergence of the final leaf tip on the stem) and reproductive phase (from heading to plant senescence). The developmental stages that were identified during the dormancy phase and during the sprouting phases are coded as S stages: S0 = dormant corm, S1 = appearance of roots, S2.1 = first sheath, S2.2 = second sheath and S2.3 = third sheath. Vegetative phase is coded as V stages: VE = emergence of the sheaths above ground, V1 = first leaf, V2 = second leaf, Vn = nth leaf and VF = flag leaf. Leaf tip is the marker for V1–VF. The developmental stages during the reproductive phases are coded as R stages: R1 = heading, R2 = blooming, R3 = onset of flowering, R4 = end of anthesis, R5 = end of florets senescence and R6 = plant senescence (leaves and floret axis are brown). Sub‐stages have also been assigned between R1 and R2 and between R3 and R4. Illustrations (photographs) of each developmental stage taken from field pot‐grown plants are provided and the proposed scale was tested with field observations. These criteria are straight forward and allow for quick determination of development stage. This system can be used by both farmers and for experimental trials.
Rapid detection and discrimination of fabaviruses by flow‐through hybridisation with genus‐ and species‐specific riboprobes
Authors: Ferriol I. , Rangel E. A. , Panno S. , Davino S. , Han C.G. , Olmos A. , Rubio L.
Published: February 2015

Viruses cause significant damage in agricultural crops worldwide. Disease management requires sensitive and specific tools for virus detection and identification. Also, detection techniques need to be rapid to keep pace with the continuous emergence of new viral diseases. The genus Fabavirus is composed of five viruses infecting many economically important crops worldwide. This research describes the development of a procedure based on flow‐through hybridisation (FTH), which is faster than and as sensitive as conventional hybridisation for virus detection in tissue‐prints from infected plants. Six digoxigenin‐labelled RNA probes were synthesised with two levels of specificity: (a) five specific for each viral species within this genus, and (b) a genus‐specific probe that hybridises with a nucleotide sequence signature only found in the 5′‐untranslated region of the genus Fabavirus, which is the first of this type reported for plant viruses. The new procedure developed is useful for rapid detection and discrimination of the five fabaviruses identified so far and opens the possibility of discovering new species of this genus.
Successful use of the Cryolock device for cryopreservation of scarce human ejaculate and testicular spermatozoa
Authors: Stein A. , Shufaro Y. , Hadar S. , Fisch B. , Pinkas H.
Published: February 2015

The existing methods for cryopreservation of very low count sperm samples are complex and sub‐optimal for individual spermatozoa. Our purpose is to establish an effective simple method for cryoprotecting individual spermatozoa. Samples from patients withOTAwere mixed withTYBorHEPES‐buffered salt solution with glycerol + glucose and placed on a Cryolock that was plunged directly into liquid nitrogen or exposed to its vapors. Thawing was performed by direct immersion into a drop of warmed medium. The favorable method was tested on diluted samples (10–50 cells) and leftoverTESEspecimens from patients with azoospermia. Cryopreservation was considered successful if >30 spermatozoa, (>3 motile), or >5 spermatozoa (>1 motile) in diluted andTESEsamples, were detected post‐thawing. A significantly higher survival rate of seminal spermatozoa was obtained when using the Cryolock withTYBand freezing with liquid nitrogen vapor, compared toHEPESglycerol‐glucose (95 vs. 35% respectively). Plunging the Cryolock into liquid nitrogen was detrimental. Cryolock combined withTYBcryoprotection and liquid nitrogen vapor freezing was highly effective for cryopreservation of individual spermatozoa in diluted andTESEsamples. The Cryolock may serve for freezing very low‐count sperm samples and individual spermatozoa. This method offers simplicity, efficacy, use of available materials, without requiring micromanipulation equipment or skills.
Peripheral venous catheter related complications are common among paediatric and neonatal patients
Authors: Unbeck M , Förberg U , Ygge B‐M , Ehrenberg A , Petzold M , Johansson E
Published: February 2015

Aim

The aims of this study were to describe the characteristics of peripheral venous catheters (PVCs), including dwell time and reasons for removal, and explore predictors for PVC‐related complications.

Methods

We included PVCs in 2032 children – 484 neonatal and 1548 paediatric – from 12 inpatient units. Data were retrieved from the patient record system, and predictors for complications were explored using logistic regression analyses.

Results

Just over one‐third (35.4%) of the PVCs were removed due to complications, in particular infiltration and occlusion (51.9 and 48.4/1000 PVC days, respectively). PVC survival time was shorter in neonatal than paediatric patients (4 versus 5 days), and infiltration was more frequent in neonatal patients (92.8 versus 38.7/1000 PVC days). Infiltration was associated with younger age (odds ratio 0.97) for neonatal patients and with younger age (OR 0.96), insertion in the bend of the arm (OR 1.48) or ankle (OR 2.81) for paediatric patients. Occlusion was, both for neonatal and paediatric patients, associated with longer dwell time (OR 1.32 and 1.22 respectively), insertion in the ankle (OR 5.00 and 3.51) or foot (OR 3.47 and 1.99).

Conclusion

PVC‐related complications, particularly infiltration and occlusion, were more common in hospitalised children but decreased with the child's age.
Updated Swedish advice on reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome
Authors: Wennergren Göran , Nordstrand Kerstin , Alm Bernt , Möllborg Per , Öhman Anna , Berlin Anita , Katz‐Salamon Miriam , Lagercrantz Hugo
Published: February 2015

This article reviews updated advice and factual material from the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare on reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Issues covered by the guidance for parents and healthcare professionals include sleeping positions, smoking, breastfeeding, bed sharing and using pacifiers.

Conclusion

The guidelines conclude that infants under three months of age are safest sleeping in their own cot and that a pacifier can be used when they are going to sleep.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: the efficacy of a second anti‐TNF in patients with inflammatory bowel disease whose previous anti‐TNF treatment has failed
Authors: Gisbert J. P. , Marín A. C. , McNicholl A. G. , Chaparro M.
Published: February 2015

Background

One‐third of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) receiving anti‐TNFs do not respond to treatment, and a relevant proportion experience loss of response or intolerance.

Aim

To investigate the efficacy and safety of a second anti‐TNF agent after primary/secondary failure or intolerance to a first drug.

Methods

Inclusion criteria: studies evaluating the efficacy of infliximab (IFX), adalimumab (ADA) and certolizumab‐pegol (CZP) as the second anti‐TNF in CD or UC. Search strategy: Bibliographical searches (PubMed/Embase). Data synthesis: percentage of response/remission; the meta‐analysis was performed using the inverse variance method.

Results

We included 46 studies (37 CD, 8 UC, 1 pouchitis). The CD studies comprised 32 switching IFX→ADA, 4 IFX→CZP and 1 ADA→IFX. Overall, the second anti‐TNF after the failure of IFX in CD induced remission in 43% and response in 63% of patients. The remission rate was higher when the reason to withdraw the first anti‐TNF was intolerance (61%) than after secondary (45%) or primary failure (30%); response rates were, respectively, 72%, 62% and 53%. All UC studies switched IFX→ADA, six of them reporting remission rates ranging from 0% to 50%. Adverse events rate ranged from 0% to 81% in CD, most of them mild (serious adverse event 0–21%, discontinuation rate <20%).

Conclusions

The efficacy of a second anti‐TNF in CD patients largely depends on the cause for switching. The remission rate is higher when the reason to withdraw the first anti‐TNF is intolerance (61%), compared with secondary (45%) or primary failure (30%). Further studies of switch ADA→IFX are needed to evaluate this strategy. PROSPERO‐registry‐number: CRD42014012943.
Effect and Placental Transfer of Dexmedetomidine During Caesarean Section Under General Anaesthesia
Authors: Yu Min , Han Chuanbao , Jiang Xiuhong , Wu Xia , Yu Li , Ding Zhengnian
Published: February 2015

Many drugs can pass through the placenta and cause adverse effects on the foetus. Thus, during Caesarean section for puerperas who have contraindications for intravertebral anaesthesia, the use of proper drugs that have sedative, analgesic effects on the puerperas without adverse effects on the foetus is important. In this study, we investigated the effect and placental transfer of dexmedetomidine during Caesarean section under general anaesthesia. Thirty‐eight puerperas were randomly divided to receive dexmedetomidine or saline before anaesthesia induction and during the operation. The dexmedetomidine‐treated parturients had lower mean arterial pressure and heart rate at the delivery and at the end of the operation. The dexmedetomidine‐treated parturients also needed 5.5% less propofol and 8.4% less fentanyl than the saline‐treated ones. Between the dexmedetomidine‐treated and saline‐treated parturients, there was no difference in the maternal artery, umbilical vein, umbilical artery blood gas analysis results and the Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min. after delivery. The placental transfer rate of dexmedetomidine was 0.76. We concluded that dexmedetomidine was effective in maintaining the haemodynamic stability in the parturients during Caesarean section under general anaesthesia without adverse neonatal effects. Dexmedetomidine can pass through the placenta with a placental transfer rate of 0.76.
The excess choice effect: The role of outcome valence and counterfactual thinking
Authors: Hafner Rebecca J. , White Mathew P. , Handley Simon J.
Published: February 2015

Contrary to economic theory, psychological research has demonstrated increased choice can undermine satisfaction. When and why this ‘excess choice effect’ (ECE) occurs remains unclear. Building on theories of counterfactual thinking we argue the ECE is more likely to occur when people experience counterfactual thought or emotion and that a key trigger is a negative versus positive task outcome. Participants either selected a drink (Experiment 1) or chocolate (Experiment 2) from a limited (6) versus extensive (24) selection (Experiment 1) or were given no choice versus extensive (24) choice (Experiment 2). In both experiments, however, the choice was illusory: Half the participants tasted a ‘good’ flavour, half a ‘bad’ flavour. As predicted, extensive choice was only detrimental to satisfaction when participants tasted the ‘bad’ drink or chocolate, and this was mediated by the experience of counterfactual thought (Experiment 1) or emotion (Experiment 2). When outcomes were positive, participants were similarly satisfied with limited versus extensive and no choice versus extensive choice. Implications for our theoretical understanding of the ECE and for the construction of choice architectures aimed at promoting individual satisfaction and well‐being are discussed.
HuR mediates the synergistic effects of angiotensin II and IL‐1β on vascular COX‐2 expression and cell migration
Authors: Aguado A , Rodríguez C , Martínez‐Revelles S , Avendaño M S , Zhenyukh O , Orriols M , Martínez‐González J , Alonso M J , Briones A M , Dixon D A , Salaices M
Published: February 2015

Background and Purpose

Angiotensin II (AngII) and IL‐1β are involved in cardiovascular diseases through the induction of inflammatory pathways. HuR is an adenylate‐ and uridylate‐rich element (ARE)‐binding protein involved in the mRNA stabilization of many genes. This study investigated the contribution of HuR to the increased expression of COX‐2 induced by AngII and IL‐1β and its consequences on VSMC migration and remodelling.

Experimental Approach

Rat and human VSMCs were stimulated with AngII (0.1 μM) and/or IL‐1β (10 ng·mL−1). Mice were infused with AngII or subjected to carotid artery ligation. mRNA and protein levels were assayed by quantitative PCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Cell migration was measured by wound healing and transwell assays.

Key Results

In VSMCs, AngII potentiated COX‐2 and tenascin‐C expressions and cell migration induced by IL‐1β. This effect of AngII on IL‐1β‐induced COX‐2 expression was accompanied by increased COX‐2 3′ untranslated region reporter activity and mRNA stability, mediated through cytoplasmic HuR translocation and COX‐2 mRNA binding. These effects were blocked by ERK1/2 and HuR inhibitors. VSMC migration was reduced by blockade of ERK1/2, HuR, COX‐2, TXAS, TP and EP receptors. HuR, COX‐2, mPGES‐1 and TXAS expressions were increased in AngII‐infused mouse aortas and in carotid‐ligated arteries. AngII‐induced tenascin‐C expression and vascular remodelling were abolished by celecoxib and by mPGES‐1 deletion.

Conclusions and Implications

The synergistic induction of COX‐2 by AngII and IL‐1β in VSMCs involves HuR through an ERK1/2‐dependent mechanism. The HuR/COX‐2 axis participates in cell migration and vascular damage. HuR might be a novel target to modulate vascular remodelling.