bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Innovativeness: The Role of Dynamic Marketing Capabilities
Authors: Roach David , Ryman Joel , Jones Rosalind , Ryman Hannah
Published: January 2018

The gap between the relatively static marketing resources of a firm and the turbulent marketplace is growing in importance for both practitioners and academics alike. This paper explores how marketing capabilities, specifically market orientation, work synergistically with other organizational capabilities to form dynamic marketing capabilities that enhance firm innovativeness. Findings indicate that a tight integration between the technical and marketing functions of a firm creates a fertile transformation point, where market orientation infuses the innovation process. Market orientation interacts with these integrated capabilities to form a dynamic marketing capability that enhances the organization's innovativeness. Implications include how these dynamic marketing capabilities differ between service and manufacturing firms, where only the cultural aspects of market orientation enhance performance in service firms. Copyright © 2018 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of body mass index on survival after sudden cardiac arrest
Authors: Matinrazm Sayna , Ladejobi Adetola , Pasupula Deepak Kumar , Javed Awais , Durrani Asad , Ahmad Shahzad , Munir Muhammad Bilal , Adelstein Evan , Jain Sandeep K. , Saba Samir
Published: January 2018

Background

Although elevated body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for cardiac disease, patients with elevated BMI have better survival in the context of severe illness, a phenomenon termed the “obesity paradox.”

Hypothesis

Higher BMI is associated with lower mortality in sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) survivors.

Methods

Data were collected on 1433 post‐SCA patients, discharged alive from the hospitals of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between 2002 and 2012. Of those, 1298 patients with documented BMI during the index hospitalization and follow‐up data constituted the study cohort.

Results

In the overall cohort, 30 patients were underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m2), 312 had normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), 417 were overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9 kg/m2), and 539 were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). As expected, the prevalence of coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension increased significantly with increasing BMI. Over a median follow‐up of 3.6 years, 602 (46%) patients died. Despite higher prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities in more obese patients, a higher BMI was associated with lower all‐cause mortality on univariate analysis (hazard ratio: 0.86 per increase by 1 BMI category, 95% confidence interval: 0.78‐0.94, P = 0.002) and multivariate analysis after adjusting for unbalanced baseline comorbidities (hazard ratio: 0.86 per increase by 1 BMI category, 95% confidence interval: 0.77‐0.96, P = 0.009).

Conclusions

Higher BMI is associated with lower all‐cause mortality in survivors of SCA, suggesting that the obesity paradox applies to the post‐arrest population. Further investigation into its mechanisms may inform the management of post‐SCA patients.
Hybridization Histochemistry of Neural Transcripts
Authors: Young W. Scott , Song June , Mezey Éva
Published: January 2018

This unit presents protocols to locate RNA transcripts in tissues. Numerous approaches are detailed, including those that use radiolabeled or colorimetric probes. Also, the probes may be modified oligodeoxynucleotides, singly or in pairs, as well as ribonucleic acids. High sensitivity and specificity are obtained, especially with sets of oligodeoxynucleotide pairs. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Imaging of Mitochondrial and Cytosolic Ca2+ Signals in Cultured Astrocytes
Authors: Zhang Nannan , Ding Shinghua
Published: January 2018

This unit provides a step‐by‐step protocol for constructing cell type‐ and mitochondria‐targeted GCaMP genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators (GECIs) for mitochondrial Ca2+ imaging in astrocytes. Mitochondrial Ca2+ plays a critical role in controlling cytosolic Ca2+ buffering, energy metabolism, and cellular signal transduction. Mitochondrial Ca2+ overload contributes to various pathological conditions, including neurodegeneration and apoptotic cell death in neurological diseases. Live‐cell mitochondrial Ca2+ imaging is an important approach to understand mitochondrial Ca2+ dynamics and thus cell physiology and pathology. We implement astrocyte‐specific mitochondrial targeting of GCaMP5G/6s (mito‐GCaMP5G/6s). By loading X‐Rhod‐1 into astrocytes, we can simultaneously image mitochondrial and cytosolic Ca2+ signals. This protocol provides a novel approach to image mitochondrial Ca2+ dynamics as well as Ca2+ interplay between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Fire‐induced deforestation in drought‐prone Mediterranean forests: drivers and unknowns from leaves to communities
Authors: Karavani Asaf , Boer Matthias M. , Baudena Mara , Colinas Carlos , Díaz‐Sierra Rubén , Pemán Jesús , de Luis Martín , Enríquez‐de‐Salamanca Álvaro , Resco de Dios Víctor
Published: January 2018

Over the past 15 years, 3 million hectares of forests have been converted into shrublands or grasslands in the Mediterranean countries of the European Union. Fire and drought are the main drivers underlying this deforestation. Here we present a conceptual framework for the process of fire‐induced deforestation based on the interactive effects of fire and drought across three hierarchical scales: resistance in individuals, resilience in populations, and transitions to a new state. At the individual plant level, we review the traits that confer structural and physiological resistance, as well as allow for resprouting capacity: deforestation can be initiated when established individuals succumb to fire. After individuals perish, the second step toward deforestation requires a limited resilience from the population, that is, a reduced ability of that species to regenerate after fire. If individuals die after fire and the population fails to recover, then a transition to a new state will occur. We document trade‐offs between drought survival and fire survival, as embolism resistance is negatively correlated with fire tolerance in conifers and leaf shedding or drought deciduousness, a process that decreases water consumption at the peak of the dry season, temporally increases crown flammability. Propagule availability and establishment control resilience after mortality, but different hypotheses make contrasting predictions on the drivers of post‐fire establishment. Mycorrhizae play an additional role in modulating the response by favoring recovery through amelioration of the nutritional and water status of resprouts and new germinants. So far, resprouter species such as oaks have provided a buffer against deforestation in forests dominated by obligate seeder trees, when present in high enough density in the understory. While diversifying stands with resprouters is often reported as advantageous for building resilience, important knowledge gaps exist on how floristic composition interacts with stand flammability and on the “resprouter exhaustion syndrome,” a condition where pre‐fire drought stress, or short fire return intervals, seriously restrict post‐fire resprouting. Additional attention should be paid to the onset of novel fire environments in previously fire‐free environments, such as high altitude forests, and management actions need to accommodate this complexity to sustain Mediterranean forests under a changing climate.
Transvenous dual‐chamber pacemaker after paediatric heart transplantation using left ventricle pacing through the coronary sinus
Authors: Baggio José Mario , Afiune Cristina Machado Camargo , Afiune Jorge Y. , Sarabanda Alvaro V. , Atik Fernando A.
Published: January 2018

A 12‐year‐old child with end‐stage heart failure due to restrictive cardiomyopathy was submitted to orthotopic heart transplantation. Primary graft dysfunction required venous arterial extra‐corporeal membrane oxygenation. Heart function normalized, but complete atrioventricular block remained after 3 weeks. A dual‐chamber pacing with transvenous left ventricle pacing through the coronary sinus was performed. At 5‐year follow‐up, the patient is stable with the same pacing system and with preserved ventricular function.
Potential role of potassium and chloride channels in regulation of silymarin‐induced apoptosis in Candida albicans
Authors: Lee Wonjong , Lee Dong Gun
Published: January 2018

Silymarin, which is derived from the seeds of Silybum marianum, has been widely used to prevent and treat liver diseases. In our previous study, we reported that at concentrations above the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), silymarin exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans by targeting its plasma membrane. However, the antifungal mechanism at concentration below the MIC remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine the underlying mechanism of antifungal effects of silymarin at concentration below the MIC. To evaluate the inhibitory effects on the ion channels, C. albicans cells were separately pretreated with potassium and chloride channel blockers. The antifungal activity of silymarin at sub‐MIC was affected by the ion channel blockers. Potassium channel blockade inhibited the antifungal effects, whereas chloride channel blockade slightly enhanced these effects. Subsequently, we found that silymarin induced disturbances in calcium homeostasis via the cytosolic and mitochondrial accumulation of calcium. Furthermore, apoptotic responses, such as phosphatidylserine exposure, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA damage, and caspase activation were induced in response to silymarin treatment. The increases in intracellular calcium level and pro‐apoptotic changes were prevented when potassium ion channels were blocked. In contrast, these changes were enhanced upon chloride channels blockade; however, this did not affect the intracellular calcium levels and MMP loss. Thus, we showed that silymarin treatment at concentration below the MIC induced apoptosis in C. albicans; additionally, ion channels contributed these effects. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(3):197–206, 2018
Toward a mechanistic explanation of phenotypic evolution: The need for a theory of theory integration
Authors: Laubichler Manfred D. , Prohaska Sonja J. , Stadler Peter F.
Published: January 2018

Reconciling different underlying ontologies and explanatory contexts has been one of the main challenges and impediments for theory integration in biology. Here, we analyze the challenge of developing an inclusive and integrative theory of phenotypic evolution as an example for the broader challenge of developing a theory of theory integration within the life sciences and suggest a number of necessary formal steps toward the resolution of often incompatible (hidden) assumptions. Theory integration in biology requires a better formal understanding of the structure of biological theories The strategy for integrating theories crucially depends on the relationships of the underlying ontologies.
Boosting ART uptake and retention among HIV‐infected pregnant and breastfeeding women and their infants: the promise of innovative service delivery models
Authors: Srivastava Meena , Sullivan David , Phelps B. Ryan , Modi Surbhi , Broyles Laura N.
Published: January 2018

Introduction

With the rapid scale‐up of antiretroviral treatment (ART) in the “Treat All” era, there has been increasing emphasis on using differentiated models of HIV service delivery. The gaps within the clinical cascade for mothers and their infants suggest that current service delivery models are not meeting families' needs and prompt re‐consideration of how services are provided. This article will explore considerations for differentiated care and encourage the ongoing increase of ART coverage through innovative strategies while also addressing the unique needs of mothers and infants.

Discussion

Service delivery models should recognize that the timing of the mother's HIV diagnosis is a critical aspect of determining eligibility. Women newly diagnosed with HIV require a more intensive approach so that adequate counselling and monitoring of ART initiation and response can be provided. Women already on ART with evidence of virologic failure are also at high risk of transmitting HIV to their infants and require close follow‐up. However, women stable on ART with a suppressed viral load before conception have a very low likelihood of HIV transmission and thus are strong candidates for multi‐month ART dispensing, community‐based distribution of ART, adherence clubs, community adherence support groups and longer intervals between clinical visits. A number of other factors should be considered when defining eligibility of mothers and infants for differentiated care, including location of services, viral load monitoring and duration on ART. To provide differentiated care that is client‐centred and driven while encompassing a family‐based approach, it will be critical to engage mothers, families and communities in models that will optimize client satisfaction, retention in care and quality of services.

Conclusions

Differentiated care for mothers and infants represents an opportunity to provide client‐centred care that reduces the burden on clients and health systems while improving the quality and uptake of services for families. However, with decreasing funding, stable HIV incidence, and aspirations for sustainability, it is critical to consider efficient, customized and cost‐effective models of care for these populations as we aspire to eliminate mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV.
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Costa Jessica de Mattos , Torres Thiago Silva , Coelho Lara Esteves , Luz Paula Mendes
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy is closely related with suppression of the HIV viral load in plasma, slowing disease progression and decreasing HIV transmission rates. Despite its importance, the estimated proportion of people living with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean with optimal adherence has not yet been reported in a meta‐analysis. Moreover, little is known of the factors leading to poor adherence which may be setting‐specific. We present a pooled estimate of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) of people living with HIV in Latin America and Caribbean, report the methods used to measure adherence and describe the factors associated with poor adherence among the selected studies.

Methods

We electronically searched published studies up to July 2016 on the PubMed, Web of Science and Virtual Health Library (Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Portal); considering the following databases: MEDLINE, LILACS, PAHO and IBECS. Two independent reviewers selected and extracted data on ART adherence and study characteristics. Pooled estimate of adherence was derived using a random‐effects model. Risk of bias in individual studies was assessed independently by two investigators using the Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non‐randomized Studies (RoBANS).

Results and discussion

The meta‐analysis included 53 studies published between 2005 and 2016, which analysed 22,603 people living with HIV in 25 Latin America and Caribbean countries. Overall adherence in Latin America and Caribbean was 70% (95% CI: 63–76; I2 = 98%), similar to levels identified by studies conducted in high‐income regions. Self‐report was the most frequently used method to measure adherence. Subgroup analysis showed that adherence was higher for the shortest recall time frame used, as well as in countries with lower income level, Gross National Income (GNI) per capita and Human Development Index (HDI). Studies reported diverse adherence barriers, such as alcohol and substance misuse, depression, unemployment and pill burden.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that adherence to ART in Latin America and Caribbean may be below the sufficient levels required for a successful long‐term viral load suppression.
Negative regulation of type I IFN signaling
Authors: Arimoto Kei-Ichiro , Miyauchi Sayuri , Stoner Samuel A , Fan Jun-Bao , Zhang Dong-Er
Published: January 2018

Type I IFNs (α, β, and others) are a family of cytokines that are produced in physiological conditions as well as in response to the activation of pattern recognition receptors. They are critically important in controlling the host innate and adaptive immune response to viral and some bacterial infections, cancer, and other inflammatory stimuli. However, dysregulation of type I IFN production or response can contribute to immune pathologies termed “interferonopathies”, pointing to the importance of balanced activating signals with tightly regulated mechanisms of tuning this signaling. Here, we summarize the recent advances of how type I IFN production and response are controlled at multiple levels of the type I IFN signaling cascade.
Whole brain white matter histogram analysis of diffusion tensor imaging data detects microstructural damage in mild cognitive impairment and alzheimer's disease patients
Authors: Giulietti Giovanni , Torso Mario , Serra Laura , Spanò Barbara , Marra Camillo , Caltagirone Carlo , Cercignani Mara , Bozzali Marco ,   the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)
Published: January 2018

Background

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional stage between normal aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the clinical conversion from MCI to AD is unpredictable. Hence, identification of noninvasive biomarkers able to detect early changes induced by dementia is a pressing need.

Purpose

To explore the added value of histogram analysis applied to measures derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for detecting brain tissue differences between AD, MCI, and healthy subjects (HS).

Study Type

Prospective.

Population/Subjects

A local cohort (57 AD, 28 MCI, 23 HS), and an Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort (41 AD, 58 MCI, 41 HS).

Field Strength

3T. Dual‐echo turbo spin echo (TSE); fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR); modified‐driven‐equilibrium‐Fourier‐transform (MDEFT); inversion‐recovery spoiled gradient recalled (IR‐SPGR); diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Assessment

Normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM) masks were obtained using the T1‐weighted volumes for tissue segmentation and T2‐weighted images for removal of hyperintensities/lesions. From DTI images, fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AXD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were obtained. NAWM histograms of FA, MD, AXD, and RD were derived and characterized estimating: peak height, peak location, mean value (MV), and quartiles (C25, C50, C75), which were compared between groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and area under ROC curves (AUC) were calculated. To confirm our results, the same analysis was repeated on the ADNI dataset.

Statistical Tests

One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA), post‐hoc Student's t‐test, multiclass ROC analysis.

Results

For the local cohort, C25 of AXD had the maximum capability of group discrimination with AUC of 0.80 for “HS vs. patients” comparison and 0.74 for “AD vs. others” comparison. For the ADNI cohort, MV of AXD revealed the maximum group discrimination capability with AUC of 0.75 for “HS vs. patients” comparison and 0.75 for “AD vs. others” comparison.

Data Conclusion

AXD of NAWM might be an early marker of microstructural brain tissue changes occurring during the AD course and might be useful for assessing disease progression.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:767–779.
Innervation status in chronic vocal fold paralysis and implications for laryngeal reinnervation
Authors: Lin R. Jun , Smith Libby J. , Munin Michael C. , Sridharan Shaum , Rosen Clark A.
Published: January 2018

Objective

Treatment options for symptomatic unilateral vocal fold paralysis (VFP) include vocal fold augmentation, laryngeal framework surgery, and laryngeal reinnervation. Laryngeal reinnervation (LR) has been suggested to provide “tone” to the paralyzed VF. This implies a loss of tone as a result of denervation without reinnervation. We performed laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) in patients with chronic VFP to understand the innervation status associated with a chronically paralyzed vocal fold.

Study Design

Retrospective review of LEMG data in adult patients with chronic VFP from January 2009 to December 2014.

Methods

LEMG was performed at least 6 months after‐onset of VFP. Qualitative LEMG, quantitative LEMG, and adductory synkinesis testing were performed, and the parameters were collected.

Results

Twenty‐seven vocal folds were studied (23 unilateral VFP and 2 bilateral VFP). Average age was 59 ± 17 years. The median duration from recurrent laryngeal nerve injury to LEMG was 8.5 months (range 6–90 months). The majority of patients, 24 of 27 (89%), had motor unit potentials during phonation tasks on LEMG, and only 3 of 27 (11%) patients were electrically silent. Quantitative LEMG showed 287.8 mean turns per second (normal ≥ 400). Motor unit configuration was normal in 12 of 27 (44%), polyphasic in 12 of 27 (44%), and absent in the electrically silent patients. Adductory synkinesis was found in 6 of 20 (30%) patients.

Conclusion

Chronic vocal fold paralysis is infrequently associated with absent motor‐unit recruitment, indicating some degree of preserved innervation and/or reinnervation in these patients. LEMG should be part of the routine workup for chronic VFP prior to consideration of LR.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:1628–1633, 2018
Ultra‐Sharp Multi‐Mode Waveguide Bending Assisted with Metamaterial‐Based Mode Converters
Authors: Xu Hongnan , Shi Yaocheng
Published: January 2018

On‐chip multi‐mode communication has attracted much attention for its potential to greatly expand the bandwidth of data transmission. However, the application of multi‐mode transmission is still restricted since the multi‐mode waveguide can't be compactly routed, especially in the sharp bending region. The challenge lies in decreasing the significant inter‐mode coupling in the multi‐mode bending with a small radius. Few works have been reported to achieve multi‐mode bending, but all suffer from the complex fabrication. In this paper, an ultra‐sharp multi‐mode waveguide is proposed, which is assisted with metamaterial‐based mode converters. The sub‐wavelength structures are directly written onto the polymer cladding. By engineering the effective medium index of the metamaterial cladding in the mode converters, the inter‐mode coupling is dramatically inhibited. The fabricated sharp bending with a 30‐μm radius shows that the crosstalk is <−20 dB and the loss is <1 dB over a >80 nm wavelength band.
Using Atomic Force Microscopy to Probe Crystallization in Atactic Polystyrenes
Authors: Chai Yu , Forrest James A.
Published: January 2018

The use of atomic force microscopy phase imaging to study crystallization in near oligomeric atactic polystyrenes is demonstrated. By considering different thermal histories, the distribution of polymerization index in the samples can be changed, and how this effects the resulting crystallinity can be measured. Different thermal treatments in the nucleation of crystals and the effect on the resulting measured crystal formation are also examined.
A functionally personalized boundary condition model to improve estimates of fractional flow reserve with CT (CT‐FFR)
Authors: Freiman Moti , Nickisch Hannes , Schmitt Holger , Maurovich‐Horvat Pál , Donnelly Patrick M , Vembar Mani , Goshen Liran
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a functionally personalized boundary condition (BC) model for estimating the fractional flow reserve (FFR) from coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) using flow simulation (CT‐FFR).

Materials and methods

The CCTA data of 90 subjects with subsequent invasive FFR in 123 lesions within 21 days (range: 0–83) were retrospectively collected. We developed a functionally personalized BC model accounting specifically for the coronary microvascular resistance dependency on the coronary outlets pressure suggested by several physiological studies. We used the proposed model to estimate the hemodynamic significance of coronary lesions with an open‐loop physics‐based flow simulation. We generated three‐dimensional (3D) coronary tree geometries using automatic software and corrected manually where required. We evaluated the improvement in CT‐FFR estimates achieved using a functionally personalized BC model over anatomically personalized BC model using k‐fold cross‐validation.

Results

The functionally personalized BC model slightly improved CT‐FFR specificity in determining hemodynamic significance of lesions with intermediate diameter stenosis (30%–70%, N = 72), compared to the anatomically personalized model lesions with invasive FFR measurements as the reference (sensitivity/specificity: 0.882/0.79 vs 0.882/0.763). For the entire set of 123 coronary lesions, the functionally personalized BC model improved only the area under the curve (AUC) but not the sensitivity/specificity in determining the hemodynamic significance of lesions, compared to the anatomically personalized model (AUC: 0.884 vs 0.875, sensitivity/specificity: 0.848/0.805).

Conclusion

The functionally personalized BC model has the potential to improve the quality of CT‐FFR estimates compared to an anatomically personalized BC model.
Noble Metal‐Free Nanocatalysts with Vacancies for Electrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Yang Min‐Quan , Wang Jing , Wu Hao , Ho Ghim Wei
Published: January 2018

The fast development of nanoscience and nanotechnology has significantly advanced the fabrication of nanocatalysts and the in‐depth study of the structural‐activity characteristics of materials at the atomic level. Vacancies, as typical atomic defects or imperfections that widely exist in solid materials, are demonstrated to effectively modulate the physicochemical, electronic, and catalytic properties of nanomaterials, which is a key concept and hot research topic in nanochemistry and nanocatalysis. The recent experimental and theoretical progresses achieved in the preparation and application of vacancy‐rich nanocatalysts for electrochemical water splitting are explored. Engineering of vacancies has shown to open up a new avenue beyond the traditional morphology, size, and composition modifications for the development of nonprecious electrocatalysts toward efficient energy conversion. First, an introduction followed by discussions of different types of vacancies, the approaches to create vacancies, and the advanced techniques widely used to characterize these vacancies are presented. Importantly, the correlations between the vacancies and activities of the vacancy‐rich electrocatalysts via tuning the electronic states, active sites, and kinetic energy barriers are reviewed. Finally, perspectives on the existing challenges along with some opportunities for the further development of vacancy‐rich noble metal‐free electrocatalysts with high performance are discussed.
Layered Aggregation with Steric Effect: Morphology‐Homogeneous Semiconductor MoS2 as an Alternative 2D Probe for Visual Immunoassay
Authors: Li Bang Lin , Peng Li Yu , Zou Hao Lin , Li Ling Jie , Luo Hong Qun , Li Nian Bing
Published: January 2018

Liquid‐phase exfoliation routes unavoidably generate 2D nanostructures with inhomogeneous morphologies. Herein, thickness‐dependent sorting of exfoliated nanostructures is achieved via a treatment of differential‐zone centrifugation in the surfactant aqueous phase. With this approach, homogeneous MoS2 nanosheets are obtained, and due to the intrinsic semiconducting characteristics, those 2D nanosheets are endowed with desired optical properties, rivaling classic gold nanoparticles in sensing applications. Furthermore, MoS2 nanosheets with high uniformity and chemical inertness are coupled with proteins, exhibiting high performance in stability and anti‐interferences for bioanalysis. As a consequence of aggregation‐induced steric effect, distinguishing running shifts of antibody‐anchored conjugates in gel electrophoresis are visually responsive to those specific antigens. This assay enables the easy and fast monitoring of tumor biomarkers just according to “naked‐eye” identification of band location in electrophoresis results, which are presented by an alternative visual probe of 2D MoS2‐protein conjugates. The developed visual immunoassay with the synergistic effect of gel electrophoresis techniques and 2D semiconductors pushes significant progress in “home‐made” tests for disease early diagnosis.
Understanding Reading Motivation From EAP Students’ Categorical Work in a Focus Group
Authors: Ro Eunseok
Published: January 2018

This article uses insights and methods from ethnomethodological conversation analysis (CA) and membership categorization analysis (MCA) to explore reading motivation as a topic (Burch, ). With the results of CA and MCA of the participants’ categorical work in their interactions in a focus group setting, this study outlines how enthusiastic readers talk about their experience with and opinions about extensive reading (ER) and how they use their talk for interactive purposes in the focus group. The author shows how participants developed different positioned categories of a particular kind of reader while displaying their own stances toward the ER experience and reading behaviors. The author also shows how they changed their stances toward voluntary reading and how they assigned different propositions to their experience with ER while accomplishing agreement on two points: that voluntary reading is enjoyable but subject to time constraints. This study portrays a complex picture of reading motivation as related to different kinds of identity work and the moral responsibilities associated with certain identities. Post‐analytically, the author suggests pedagogical implications of what the participants’ categories say about issues related to the ER teaching principles in an English for academic purposes context.
The relationship between meteorological factors and the risk of bacillary dysentery in Hunan Province, China
Authors: Li Xuewen , Wang Ning , Ding Guoyong , Li Xiaomei , Xue Xiaojia
Published: January 2018

Meteorological factors are known to influence the morbidity of bacillary dysentery in humans in a number of different regions. To investigate the effect of meteorological factors on the incidence of this disease in the Hunan Province of China, Xiangxi, the region with the highest annual average incidence of bacillary dysentery in the Hunan province from 2005 to 2010 (44.07 cases per 100 000 people) was selected as the area of study, based on spatial descriptive analysis. Spearman correlation analysis showed that average temperature (without lag), relative humidity (with a 1‐month lag), rainfall (with a 2‐month lag), hours of sunshine (without lag), and air pressure (with a 2‐month lag) were all significantly correlated with the number of dysentery cases in Xiangxi. Multivariate analysis showed that average temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, and hours of sunshine appeared to increase the incidence of dysentery cases in Xiangxi (0.05–2.72%). Multivariate Poisson regression showed no correlation between air pressure and bacillary dysentery incidence. Average temperature was found to be the most important of the meteorological factors considered (it was found that a 1 degC rise in temperature corresponds to a 2.72% increase in the number of cases of bacillary dysentery).
The effect of thermomechanical controlled processing on recrystallisation and subsequent deformation-induced ferrite transformation textures in microalloyed steels
Authors: Gong P. , Sun Lin , Wynne B. P. , Palmiere E. J. , Rainforth W. M.
Published: January 2018

The evolution of texture components for two experimental 0.06 wt% C steels, one containing 0.03 wt% Nb (Nb steel) and the second containing both 0.03 wt% Nb and 0.02 wt% Ti (Nb–Ti steel), was investigated following a new thermomechanical controlled process route, comprising first deformation, rapid reheat to 1200 °C and final deformation to various strains. Typical deformation textures were observed after first deformation for both steels. Following subsequent reheating to 1200 °C for various times, the recrystallisation textures consisted primarily of the α-$$ \left\langle {011} \right\rangle $$

011

//RD texture fibre with a weak γ-{111}//ND texture fibre, similar to deformation textures, indicative of the dominance of a strain-induced boundary migration mechanism. The texture components after finish deformation were different from the rough deformation textures, with a strong α-$$ \left\langle {011} \right\rangle $$

011

//RD texture fibre at the beginning, and then the strong peaks move to (111)$$ \left\langle {1\bar{2}1} \right\rangle $$

1

2

¯

1

and (111)$$ \left\langle {\bar{1}\bar{1}2} \right\rangle $$

1

¯

1

¯

2

textures due to the deformation-induced ferrite (DIF) transformation. The effect of Ti on the recrystallisation textures and deformation textures has also been analysed in this study. The results illustrate that Ti significantly influences the γ-{111}//ND texture fibre. Finally, the textures after deformation and recrystallisation in the austenite were calculated based on the K–S orientation relationship between the austenite and ferrite. This allowed the understanding of the mechanism of recrystallisation between first and final deformation and the DIF textures during phase transformation.
Dietary linoleic acid‐induced hypercholesterolemia and accumulation of very light HDL in steers
Authors: Scislowski Valérie , Durand Denys , Gruffat Dominique , Bauchart Dominique
Published: January 2018

This experiment was designed to study the effects in fattening steers of n−6 PUFA supplementation on the plasma distribution and chemical composition of major lipoproteins (TG‐rich lipoproteins: d<1.006 g/mL; intermediate density lipoproteins + LDL: 1.019<d<1.060 g/mL; light HDL: 1.060<d<1.091 g/mL; and heavy HDL: 1.091<d<1.180 g/mL). For a period of 70 d, animals [454±20 d; 528±36 kg (mean±SD)] were given a control diet (diet C, n=6) consisting of hay and concentrate mixture (54 and 46% of diet dry matter, respectively) or the same diet supplemented with sunflower oil (4% of dry matter), given either as crushed seeds (diet S, n=6) or as free oil continuously infused into the duodenum through a chronic canula to avoid ruminal PUFA hydrogenation (diet O, n=6). Plasma lipids increased in steers given diet S (×1.4, P<0.05) and diet O (×2.3, P<0.05), leading to hyperphospholipemia and hypercholesterolemia. With diet S, hypercholesterolemia was associated with higher levels of light (×1.4, P<0.05) and heavy HDL (×1.3, NS). With diet O, it was linked to higher levels of light HDL (×1.8, P<0.005) and to very light HDL accumulation within density limits of 1.019 to 1.060 g/mL, as demonstrated by the apolipoprotein A‐I profile. Diet O favored incorporation of 18∶2n−6 into polar (×2.2, P<0.05) and neutral lipids (×1.5 to ×8, P<0.05) at the expense of SFA, MUFA, and n−3 PUFA. Thus, protection of dietary PUFA against ruminal hydrogenation allowed them to accumulate in plasma lipoproteins, but the effects of hypercholesterolemia on animal health linked to very light HDL accumulation remain to be elucidated.
Disruption of ergosterol biosynthesis, growth, and the morphological transition in Candida albicans by sterol methyltransferase inhibitors containing sulfur at C‐25 in the sterol side chain
Authors: Kanagasabai Ragu , Zhou Wenxu , Liu Jialin , Minh Nguyen Thi Thuy , Veeramachaneni Phani , Nes W. David
Published: January 2018

The sterol substrate analog 25‐thialanosterol and its corresponding sulfonium salt were evaluated for their ability to serve as antifungal agents and to inhibit sterol methyltransferase (SMT) activity in Candida albicans. Both compounds inhibited cell proliferation, were fungistatic, interrupted the yeastlike‐form to germ‐tube‐form transition, and resulted in the accumulation of zymosterol and related Δ24‐sterols concurrent with a decrease in ergosterol, as was expected for the specific inhibition of SMT activity. Feedback on sterol synthesis was evidenced by elevated levels of cellular sterols in treated vs. control cultures. However, neither farnesol nor squalene accumulated in significant amounts in treated cultures, suggesting that carbon flux is channeled from the isoprenoid pathway to the sterol pathway with minor interruption or redirection until blockage at the C‐methylation step. Activity assays using solubilized C. albicans SMT confirmed the inhibitors impair SMT action. Kinetic analysis indicated that 25‐thialanosterol inhibited SMT with the properties of a time‐dependent mechanismbased inactivator Ki of 5 =gmM and apparent kinact of 0.013 min−1, whereas the corresponding sulfonium salt was a reversible‐type transition state analog exhibiting a Ki of 20 nM. The results are interpreted to imply changes in ergosterol homeostasis as influenced by SMT activity can control growth and the morphological transition in C. albicans, possibly affecting disease development.
The in vitro hydrolysis of phytosterol conjugates in food matrices by mammalian digestive enzymes
Authors: Moreau Robert A. , Hicks Kevin B.
Published: January 2018

All fruits, vegetables, and grains contain phytosterols. Numerous clinical studies have documented that phytosterols lower LDL‐cholesterol levels and thereby reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Most experts believe that the cholesterol‐lowering mechanism of phytosterols requires that they be in their “free” form. In addition to their occurrence in the free form, phytosterols also occur as four common phytosterol conjugates: (i) fatty acyl esters, (ii) hydroxycinnamate esters, (iii) steryl glycosides, and (iv) fatty acylated steryl glycosides. This study was undertaken to investigate the extent of hydrolysis of four common phytosterol conjugates by mammalian digestive enzymes (cholesterol esterase and pancreatin, a mixture of pancreatic enzymes) and for comparison purposes, by KOH. Two creatic enzymes) and for comparison purposes, by KOH. Two types of purified hydroxycinnamate esters (sitostanyl ferulate and oryzanol, a mixture of hydroxycinnamate esters purified from rice bran, oil) were hydrolyzed by cholesterol esterase and by pancreatin. Both cholesterol esterase and pancreatin hydrolyzed the phytosteryl esters in two functional food matrices, and they hydrolyzed the hydroxycinnamate esters in corn fiber oil. This is the first report to demonstrate that phytostanyl ferulate esters (which are present at levels of 3–6% in corn fiber oil) are hydrolyzed by pancreatic cholesterol esterase. It is also the first report that pancreatin contains enzymes that hydrolyze the fatty acyl moiety of fatty acylated steryl glycoside, converting it to steryl glycoside. Pancreatin had no effect on steryl glycosides. The ability of pancreatin to hydrolyze three other type of lipid conjugates was also evaluated. Phospholipids were completely hydrolyzed. About half of the galactolipids were hydrolyzed, and less than 10%, of the polyamine conjugates were hydrolyzed. The extents of hydrolysis of phytosteryl esters by base (saponification) were also studied, and conditions commonly used for the saponification of acyl lipids (1.5 N methanolic KOH, 30 min at 70°C), were found to result in a nearly 100% hydrolysis of TAG but only about 35–45% hydrolysis of the phytosteryl fatty acyl esters or phytosteryl hydroxycinnamate esters.
Parameters influencing cocrystallization and polymorphism in milk fat
Authors: Breitschuh Birgit , Windhab Erich J.
Published: January 2018

Dry fractionation of milk fat is a common technique used to produce fat fractions with physical properties that are suitable for a variety of food and pharmaceutical products. During milk fat fractionation, the partial crystallization of triacylglycerols from the melt is the most important step. The efficiency of the separation of the crystals from the suspension is also important, but the crystallization itself influences the chemical composition and thereby determines the properties of the crystal fraction. At low supercooling, the crystallization kinetics are slow, and thus process time is increased. With increased kinetics due to a strong supersaturation, the chemical composition of the crystals is changed compared to crystals formed under slow kinetic conditions. This study shows to what extent controlled temperature and supercooling during milk fat crystallization influence crystal amount and the physical properties of the resulting fractions. Differences of the thermal characteristics of the crystal suspensions are directly detected by differential scanning calorimetry and nuclear magnetic resonance. At slow crystallization kinetics, the melting temperature range of the crystals in the suspensions is broader, and the resolution of the melting peak is higher. It is shown that compound crystals are formed when supercooling is performed, even if the supercooling takes place only for a short period of time. Controlled temperature conditions during crystallization govern larger differences in the fatty acid and triacylglycerol composition of the liquid and of the crystalline phases, compared to fractions crystallized under supercooling conditions, which contain a high amount of compound crystals.
Physical properties of Pseudomonas and Rhizomucor miehei lipase‐catalyzed transesterified blends of palm stearin:palm kernel olein
Authors: Lai O. M. , Ghazali H. M. , Chong C. L.
Published: January 2018

The physical properties of Pseudomonas and Rhizomucor miehei lipase‐catalyzed transesterified blends of palm stearin:palm kernel olein (PS:PKO), ranging from 40% palm stearin to 80% palm stearin in 10% increments, were analyzed for their slip melting points (SMP), solid fat content (SFC), melting thermograms, and polymorphic forms. The Pseudomonas lipase caused a greater decrease in SMP (15°C) in the PS:PKO (40:60) blend than the R. miehei lipase (10.5°C). Generally, all transesterified blends had lower SMP than their unreacted blends. Pseudomonas lipase‐catalyzed blends at 40:60 and 50:50 ratio also showed complete melting at 37°C and 40°C, respectively, whereas for the R. miehei lipase‐catalyzed 40:60 blend, a residual SFC of 3.9% was observed at 40°C. Randomization of fatty acids by Pseudomonas lipase also led to a greater decrease in SFC than the rearrangement of fatty acids by R. miehei lipase. Differential scanning calorimetry results confirmed this observation. Pseudomonas lipase also successfully changed the polymorphic forms of the unreacted blends from a predominantly β form to that of an exclusively β′ form. Both β and β′ forms existed in the R. miehei lipase‐catalyzed reaction blends, with β′ being the dominant form.
A twin‐screw extruder for oil extraction: I. Direct expression of oleic sunflower seeds
Authors: Dufaure Corinne , Leyris Juliette , Rigal Luc , Mouloungui Zéphirin
Published: January 2018

Lipids are traditionally removed from seeds by mechanical crushing and solvent extraction. During the mechanical crushing process the oilseed is cleaned, cracked, flaked, and cooked before entering a mechanical screw press. Seventy‐five percent of the oil of sunflower seeds can be extracted by crushing, and the fatty cake then contains about 15% of oil. The oil levels remaining in the cake can be reduced to less than 2% by solvent extraction. However, the crude oil has to be refined as it contains many impurities and approximately 600 ppm phosphorus. A new process, in which sunflower seeds are pressed in a twin‐screw extruder, is examined here. The screw profile was first optimized. Oleic sunflower seeds were crushed and 80% of the oil was removed. The resultant oil was of good quality, with acid numbers below 2 mg KOH/g of oil and total phosphorus contents of about 100 ppm. The influence of pressing temperature and of fresh seed moisture content was determined. High pressing temperature and low moisture content improved oil extraction. The quality of the meal was examined through the solubilization of its proteins in alkaline water at 50°C. The fatty meal proteins remained quite soluble, and therefore one can assume that they were still relatively close to their native conformation. The pressing of oleaginous material in a twin‐screw extruder provides a new option to traditional processes.
A modified VERI‐FRY® quick test for measuring total polar compounds in deep‐frying oils
Authors: Xu Xin‐Qing
Published: January 2018

The AOCS official method for the determination of total polar compounds in deep‐frying oils is often used to estimate frying oil degradation. It can be accurate and reliable, but with sacrifices of time and expense. The TPM VERI‐FRY® PRO (Libra Technologies, Inc., Metuchen, NJ) quick test provides a quick and easy way to measure polar compounds in frying oils. The modified quick test measured at 490 nm has a good correlation with the AOCS official method (r=0.975, P<0.001) and provides a good estimate of polar compound accumulation in oils over 80 h of deep‐frying. Using the quick test to measure polar compounds is fast, convenient, economical and reliable.
The association and dose–response relationship between dietary intake of α-linolenic acid and risk of CHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Wei Jingkai , Hou Ruixue , Xi Yuzhi , Kowalski Alysse , Wang Tiansheng , Yu Zhi , Hu Yirui , Chandrasekar Eeshwar K. , Sun Hao , Ali Mohammed K.
Published: January 2018

Previous studies show inconsistent associations between α-linolenic acid (ALA) and risk of CHD. We aimed to examine an aggregate association between ALA intake and risk of CHD, and assess for any dose–response relationship. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases for prospective cohort studies examining associations between ALA intake and CHD, including composite CHD and fatal CHD. Data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis models, comparing the highest category of ALA intake with the lowest across studies. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on study design, geographic region, age and sex. For dose–response analyses, we used two-stage random-effects dose–response models. In all, fourteen studies of thirteen cohorts were identified and included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that higher ALA intake was associated with modest reduced risk of composite CHD (risk ratios (RR)=0·91; 95 % CI 0·85, 0·97) and fatal CHD (RR=0·85; 95 % CI 0·75, 0·96). The analysis showed a J-shaped relationship between ALA intake and relative risk of composite CHD (χ2=21·95, P<0·001). Compared with people without ALA intake, only people with ALA intake <1·4 g/d showed reduced risk of composite CHD. ALA intake was linearly associated with fatal CHD – every 1 g/d increase in ALA intake was associated with a 12 % decrease in fatal CHD risk (95 % CI −0·21, −0·04). Though a higher dietary ALA intake was associated with reduced risk of composite and fatal CHD, the excess composite CHD risk at higher ALA intakes warrants further investigation, especially through randomised controlled trials.
Episodic memory isn't essentially autonoetic
Authors: Carruthers Peter
Published: January 2018

I argue that the function attributed to episodic memory by Mahr & Csibra (M&C) – that is, grounding one's claims to epistemic authority over past events – fails to support the essentially autonoetic character of such memories. I suggest, in contrast, that episodic event memories are sometimes purely first order, sometimes autonoetic, depending on relevance in the context.
Episodic memory is as much about communicating as it is about relating to others
Authors: Coman Alin
Published: January 2018

Mahr & Csibra (M&C) provide extensive evidence for the communicative function of episodic memory, suggesting that the malleability of human memory is in large part due to its communicative dimension. I argue that emphasizing the relational motivations involved in communication provides a more proximal explanation for why our memories are as malleable.