bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental methods in chemical engineering: Differential scanning calorimetry—DSC
Authors: Harvey Jean‐Philippe , Saadatkhah Nooshin , Dumont‐Vandewinkel Guillaume , Ackermann Sarah L. G. , Patience Gregory S.
Published: September 2018

Differential calorimetry assesses energy flow between a sample and its environment. The sample may be heated at a known heating rate (either constant or temperature modulated), or held in an isothermal environment or adiabatic environment depending on instrument and experimental design. The subset of differential calorimetry that deals with known heating or cooling rates is termed differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and is a foundational technique to modern thermodynamics. It reports the heat flow versus temperature or time from which we calculate specific heat capacity at constant pressure, , enthalpy of fusion, and the heat of reaction. Moreover, it identifies how microstuctural properties evolve and thermal arrests—a characteristic of phase transitions. Heat‐flux DSCs measure the temperature difference between a reference and a sample that sit on a thin two‐dimensional plate. Power compensated DSCs heat reference material and the sample in independent furnaces while maintaining each at the same temperature. The Tian‐Calvet DSC is similar to the heat‐flux DSC, but minimizes error induced at high temperature with ring shaped thermopiles that surround the reference and the sample and in most designs incorporate the independent furnaces characteristic of heat flux DSC (three‐dimensional heat flow probe). Convection and radiation energy leaks compromise accuracy above 600 , particularly for pan‐style heat flux and power‐compensated DSC, which are sensitive to heat transfer by conduction only. The Tian‐Calvet DSC maximizes the signal‐to‐noise ratio by enveloping the sample and reference in the thermopile.

Web of Science indexed 11 800 articles in 2016 and 2017 that mentioned DSC and assigned 789 to chemical engineering, which ranks it 5th after polymer science, material science, physical chemistry, and multi‐disciplinary chemistry. A bibliometric analysis recognizes four research clusters: polymers and nano‐composites, alloys and kinetics, nano‐particles and drug delivery, and fibres.
A Pharmacogenetic Prediction Model of Progression‐Free Survival in Breast Cancer using Genome‐Wide Genotyping Data from CALGB 40502 (Alliance)
Authors: Rashkin Sara R. , Chua Katherina C. , Ho Carol , Mulkey Flora , Jiang Chen , Mushiroda Tasei , Kubo Michiaki , Friedman Paula N. , Rugo Hope S. , McLeod Howard L. , Ratain Mark J. , Castillos Francisco , Naughton Michael , Overmoyer Beth , Toppmeyer Deborah , Witte John S. , Owzar Kouros , Kroetz Deanna L.
Published: September 2018

Genome‐wide genotyping data are increasingly available for pharmacogenetic association studies, but application of these data for development of prediction models is limited. Prediction methods, such as elastic net regularization, have recently been applied to genetic studies but only limitedly to pharmacogenetic outcomes. An elastic net was applied to a pharmacogenetic study of progression‐free survival (PFS) of 468 patients with advanced breast cancer in a clinical trial of paclitaxel, nab‐paclitaxel, and ixabepilone. A final model included 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in addition to clinical covariates (prior taxane status, hormone receptor status, disease‐free interval, and presence of visceral metastases) with an area under the curve (AUC) integrated over time of 0.81, an increase compared to an AUC of 0.64 for a model with clinical covariates alone. This model may be of value in predicting PFS with microtubule targeting agents and may inform reverse translational studies to understand differential response to these drugs.
State space and movement specification in open population spatial capture–recapture models
Authors: Gardner Beth , Sollmann Rahel , Kumar N. Samba , Jathanna Devcharan , Karanth K. Ullas
Published: September 2018

With continued global changes, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and habitat fragmentation, the need for assessment of long‐term population dynamics and population monitoring of threatened species is growing. One powerful way to estimate population size and dynamics is through capture–recapture methods. Spatial capture (SCR) models for open populations make efficient use of capture–recapture data, while being robust to design changes. Relatively few studies have implemented open SCR models, and to date, very few have explored potential issues in defining these models. We develop a series of simulation studies to examine the effects of the state‐space definition and between‐primary‐period movement models on demographic parameter estimation. We demonstrate the implications on a 10‐year camera‐trap study of tigers in India. The results of our simulation study show that movement biases survival estimates in open SCR models when little is known about between‐primary‐period movements of animals. The size of the state‐space delineation can also bias the estimates of survival in certain cases.We found that both the state‐space definition and the between‐primary‐period movement specification affected survival estimates in the analysis of the tiger dataset (posterior mean estimates of survival ranged from 0.71 to 0.89). In general, we suggest that open SCR models can provide an efficient and flexible framework for long‐term monitoring of populations; however, in many cases, realistic modeling of between‐primary‐period movements is crucial for unbiased estimates of survival and density.
Polymer Electrode Materials for High‐Performance Lithium/Sodium‐Ion Batteries: A Review
Authors: Cao Xiaoyu , Liu Jingbo , Zhu Limin , Xie Lingling
Published: September 2018

Newly developed charge storage and charge transport materials, such as organic polymers, demonstrate promise for applications in secondary batteries. Currently, such organic materials are regarded as promising candidates as substitutes for traditional metal materials for energy storage equipment because of advantages such as structural diversity, abundance, and environmental friendliness. The structural characteristics, electrochemical reaction mechanism, and properties of polymer electrode materials are comprehensively introduced. In addition, recent progress on implementing polymer‐based materials in lithium‐ and sodium‐ion batteries, as well as problems associated with the development of polymer electrodes, are discussed.
Effects, Damage Characteristics and Recovery Potential of Traffic‐induced Nitric Oxide Emissions in PEM Fuel Cells under Variable Operating Conditions
Authors: Misz U. , Talke A. , Heinzel A. , Beckhaus P.
Published: September 2018

Understanding of the influence of traffic‐related nitrogen oxides on proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells is essential to improve life time and durability of fuel cell vehicles. In a 3‐year work, both the damaging mechanisms and the influence of NOx on PEM fuel cells under real environmental and operating conditions became more comprehensible. It could be shown that even a low concentration level of 150 ppb NOx, which is often exceeded in traffic areas, causes considerable power losses. Furthermore, NO leads to significantly faster voltage drops compared to NO2, so typical NO peaks during rush hour traffic can reduce the fuel cell power. The concentration profile also has an influence on the degradation. The impact of NOx peaks is more negative compared to continuous NOx dosing when charging the fuel cell with the same total amount of NOx. It is possible to recover the fuel cell but it takes several hours depending on operating conditions and prior contamination level. To increase the recovery process the fuel cell has to be operated at a cathode potential below 0.3 V to reduce NOx and detach the contaminant from the platinum catalyst. A negative effect is the formation of NH4+, which is suspected to decompose the membrane in long term perspective.
Spatial parcellations, spectral filtering, and connectivity measures in fMRI: Optimizing for discrimination
Authors: Sala‐Llonch Roser , Smith Stephen M. , Woolrich Mark , Duff Eugene P.
Published: September 2018

The analysis of Functional Connectivity (FC) is a key technique of fMRI, having been used to distinguish brain states and conditions. While many approaches to calculating FC are available, there have been few assessments of their differences, making it difficult to choose approaches, and compare results. Here, we assess the impact of methodological choices on discriminability, using a fully controlled data set of continuous active states involving basic visual and motor tasks, providing robust localized FC changes. We tested a range of anatomical and functional parcellations, including the AAL atlas, parcellations derived from the Human Connectome Project and Independent Component Analysis (ICA) of many dimensionalities. We measure amplitude, covariance, correlation, and regularized partial correlation under different temporal filtering choices. We evaluate features derived from these methods for discriminating states using MVPA. We find that multidimensional parcellations derived from functional data performed similarly, outperforming an anatomical atlas, with correlation and partial correlation (p < .05, FDR). Partial correlation, with appropriate regularization, outperformed correlation. Amplitude and covariance generally discriminated less well, although gave good results with high‐dimensionality ICA. We found that discriminative FC properties are frequency specific; higher frequencies performed surprisingly well under certain configurations of atlas choices and dependency measures, with ICA‐based parcellations revealing greater discriminability at high frequencies compared to other parcellations. Methodological choices in FC analyses can have a profound impact on results and can be selected to optimize accuracy, interpretability, and sharing of results. This work contributes to a basis for consistent selection of approaches to estimating and analyzing FC.
Changes in EEG multiscale entropy and power‐law frequency scaling during the human sleep cycle
Authors: Miskovic Vladimir , MacDonald Kevin J. , Rhodes L. Jack , Cote Kimberly A.
Published: September 2018

We explored changes in multiscale brain signal complexity and power‐law scaling exponents of electroencephalogram (EEG) frequency spectra across several distinct global states of consciousness induced in the natural physiological context of the human sleep cycle. We specifically aimed to link EEG complexity to a statistically unified representation of the neural power spectrum. Further, by utilizing surrogate‐based tests of nonlinearity we also examined whether any of the sleep stage‐dependent changes in entropy were separable from the linear stochastic effects contained in the power spectrum. Our results indicate that changes of brain signal entropy throughout the sleep cycle are strongly time‐scale dependent. Slow wave sleep was characterized by reduced entropy at short time scales and increased entropy at long time scales. Temporal signal complexity (at short time scales) and the slope of EEG power spectra appear, to a large extent, to capture a common phenomenon of neuronal noise, putatively reflecting cortical balance between excitation and inhibition. Nonlinear dynamical properties of brain signals accounted for a smaller portion of entropy changes, especially in stage 2 sleep.
Brain and soccer: Functional patterns of brain activity during the generation of creative moves in real soccer decision‐making situations
Authors: Fink Andreas , Bay Jürgen U. , Koschutnig Karl , Prettenthaler Katharina , Rominger Christian , Benedek Mathias , Papousek Ilona , Weiss Elisabeth M. , Seidel Anna , Memmert Daniel
Published: September 2018

This fMRI study investigated brain activity while soccer players were imagining creative moves in real soccer decision‐making situations. After presenting brief video clips of a soccer scene, participants had to imagine themselves as the acting player and think either of a creative or obvious move that might lead to a goal. Findings revealed stronger activation during trials in which the generation of obvious moves was required, relative to trials requiring creative moves. The reversed contrast (creative > obvious) showed no significant effects. Activations were mainly left‐lateralized, primarily involving the cuneus, middle temporal gyrus, and the rolandic operculum, which are known to support the processing of multimodal input from different sensory, motor and perceptual sources. Interestingly, more creative solutions in the soccer task were associated with smaller contrast values for the activation difference between obvious and creative trials, or even with more activation in the latter. Furthermore, higher trait creative potential (as assessed by a figural creativity test) was associated with stronger activation differences between both conditions. These findings suggest that with increasing soccer‐specific creative task performance, the processing of the manifold information provided by the soccer scenario becomes increasingly important, while in individuals with higher trait creative potential these processes were recruited to a minor degree. This study showed that soccer‐specific creativity tasks modulate activation levels in a network of regions supporting various cognitive functions such as semantic information processing, visual and motor imagery, and the processing and integration of sensorimotor and somatosensory information.
DNA methylation markers as a triage test for identification of cervical lesions in a high risk human papillomavirus positive screening cohort
Authors: van Leeuwen Robert W. , Oštrbenk Anja , Poljak Mario , van der Zee Ate G. J. , Schuuring Ed , Wisman G. Bea A.
Published: September 2018

Objective triage strategies are required to prevent unnecessary referrals for colposcopy in population‐based screening programs using primary high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing. We have identified several DNA methylation markers with high sensitivity and specificity for detection of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or worse (CIN2+) in women referred for colposcopy. Our study assessed diagnostic potential of these methylation markers in a hrHPV‐positive screening cohort. All six markers (JAM3, EPB41L3, C13orf18, ANKRD18CP, ZSCAN1 and SOX1) showed similar association across histology in the hrHPV‐positive cohort when compared to the Dutch cohort (each p > 0.15). Sensitivity for CIN2+ was higher using methylation panel C13orf18/EPB41L3/JAM3 compared to the other 2 panels (80% vs. 60% (ANKRD18CP/C13orf18/JAM3) and 63% (SOX1/ZSCAN1), p = 0.01). For CIN3+ all three methylation panels showed comparable sensitivity ranging from 68% (13/19) to 95% (18/19). Specificity of SOX1/ZSCAN1 panel (84%, 167/200) was considerably higher compared to ANKRD18CP/C13orf18/JAM3 (68%, 136/200, p = 2 × 10−5) and C13orf18/EPB41L3/JAM3 (66%, 132/200, p = 2 × 10−7). High negative predictive value (NPV) (91–95% and 96–99%) was observed for CIN2+ and CIN3+, for all three methylation panels, while positive predictive value (PPV) varied from 25 to 40% for CIN2+ and 15–27% for CIN3+. Interestingly, 118/235 samples were negative for all six markers (including 106 controls (89.8%), 6 CIN1 (5.1%), 5 CIN2 (4.2%) and 1 CIN3 (0.8%)). Methylation results from both independent cohorts were comparable as well as high sensitivity for detection of cervical cancer and its high‐grade precursors in hrHPV‐positive population. Our study therefore validates these methylation marker panels as triage test either in hrHPV‐based or abnormal cytology‐based screening programs.
CA19‐9 and apolipoprotein‐A2 isoforms as detection markers for pancreatic cancer: a prospective evaluation
Authors: Honda Kazufumi , Katzke Verena A. , Hüsing Anika , Okaya Shinobu , Shoji Hirokazu , Onidani Kaoru , Olsen Anja , Tjønneland Anne , Overvad Kim , Weiderpass Elisabete , Vineis Paolo , Muller David , Tsilidis Kostas , Palli Domenico , Pala Valeria , Tumino Rosario , Naccarati Alessio , Panico Salvatore , Aleksandrova Krasimira , Boeing Heiner , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita H. Bas , Peeters Petra H. , Trichopoulou Antonia , Lagiou Pagona , Khaw Kay‐Tee , Wareham Nick , Travis Ruth C. , Merino Susana , Duell Eric J. , Rodríguez‐Barranco Miguel , Chirlaque María Dolores , Barricarte Aurelio , Rebours Vinciane , Boutron‐Ruault Marie‐Chiristine , Romana Mancini Francesca , Brennan Paul , Scelo Ghislaine , Manjer Jonas , Sund Malin , Öhlund Daniel , Canzian Federico , Kaaks Rudolf
Published: September 2018

Recently, we identified unique processing patterns of apolipoprotein A2 (ApoA2) in patients with pancreatic cancer. Our study provides a first prospective evaluation of an ApoA2 isoform (“ApoA2‐ATQ/AT”), alone and in combination with carbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA19‐9), as an early detection biomarker for pancreatic cancer. We performed ELISA measurements of CA19‐9 and ApoA2‐ATQ/AT in 156 patients with pancreatic cancer and 217 matched controls within the European EPIC cohort, using plasma samples collected up to 60 months prior to diagnosis. The detection discrimination statistics were calculated for risk scores by strata of lag‐time. For CA19‐9, in univariate marker analyses, C‐statistics to distinguish future pancreatic cancer patients from cancer‐free individuals were 0.80 for plasma taken ≤6 months before diagnosis, and 0.71 for >6–18 months; for ApoA2‐ATQ/AT, C‐statistics were 0.62, and 0.65, respectively. Joint models based on ApoA2‐ATQ/AT plus CA19‐9 significantly improved discrimination within >6–18 months (C = 0.74 vs. 0.71 for CA19‐9 alone, p = 0.022) and ≤ 18 months (C = 0.75 vs. 0.74, p = 0.022). At 98% specificity, and for lag times of ≤6, >6–18 or ≤ 18 months, sensitivities were 57%, 36% and 43% for CA19‐9 combined with ApoA2‐ATQ/AT, respectively, vs. 50%, 29% and 36% for CA19‐9 alone. Compared to CA19‐9 alone, the combination of CA19‐9 and ApoA2‐ATQ/AT may improve detection of pancreatic cancer up to 18 months prior to diagnosis under usual care, and may provide a useful first measure for pancreatic cancer detection prior to imaging.
Use of terbinafine and risk of death in patients with prostate cancer: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Ji Jianguang , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina
Published: September 2018

Terbinafine is used for the treatment of several superficial fungal infections.In silicoanalyses and animal models suggest that terbinafine might have an anti‐tumor effect. We aimed to explore whether subsequent administration of terbinafine might be associated with a lower mortality rate in patients with prostate cancer. We identified patients diagnosed with prostate cancer between July 2005 and December 2014 from the Swedish Cancer Registry, and linked them to the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register to ascertain subsequent use of terbinafine. A total of 799 patients received oral treatment of terbinafine during the study period with a mortality rate of 18.6 per 1,000 person‐years. Compared to patients who did not use terbinafine and adjusting for a range of confounding factors, patients that received oral treatment of terbinafine had a decreased risk of death from prostate cancer (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.38–0.73) and a decreased risk of death overall (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.52–0.77). To account for indication bias, we further identified 907 patients who received topical use of terbinafine. However, the risk of death from prostate cancer in patients with topical use of terbinafine was 0.92 (95% CI 0.74–1.12) and the risk of death overall was 1.03 (95% CI 0.91–1.17) as compared to the controls, which suggests that there was no association between risk of death in patients with prostate cancer with topical use of terbinafine. These findings suggest that this drug's potential anti‐tumor effect needs to be explored further.
The effect of large predators on the decomposition rate and the macroinvertebrate colonization pattern of leaves in a Mediterranean stream
Authors: López‐Rodríguez Manuel Jesús , Martínez‐Megías Claudia , Salgado‐Charrao Ana Carina , Cámara‐Castro Juan Pedro , Tierno de Figueroa José Manuel
Published: September 2018

The goal of this study is to experimentally assess the possible effect of macroinvertebrate predators on the decomposition rate of leaves in a Mediterranean stream and to analyze the pattern of colonization by macroinvertebrates of the litter bags through time. We designed a factorial experiment with three types of litter bags (allowing the entrance of no macroinvertebrates, only small macroinvertebrates and small and large, top‐predators, macroinvertebrates). We measured the percentage of ash‐free dry mass remaining after 15, 30, and 45 days, as well as the macroinvertebrate community composition of the two types of litter bags where they were allowed to enter. We did not find differences in the ash‐free dry mass remaining between the two types that allowed the entrance of macroinvertebrates. The diversity of the community colonizing each type of litter bag was always relatively high and changed significantly with time and, in some cases, with the exclosure treatment studied. These results show the absence of important top‐down control of macroinvertebrates and particularly in those involved in the leaf decomposition in the food web of this Mediterranean stream that could have repercussions on the leaf decomposition process.
Cholangiopathy in children with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction
Authors: Sen Sarma Moinak , Yachha Surender Kumar , Rai Praveer , Neyaz Zafar , Srivastava Anshu , Poddar Ujjal
Published: September 2018

Background

Portal cavernoma cholangiopathy (PCC), a surgical‐endoscopic dilemma, has not been studied comprehensively, more so in children. Our study aimed to evaluate PCC in children using a combination of magnetic resonance cholangiography‐portovenography (MRC‐MRPV) and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS).

Methods

In this prospective cross‐sectional study, recruited children with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) underwent MRC‐MRPV and radial array EUS. PCC was categorized as asymptomatic PCC, symptomatic and no‐PCC. Modified Llop grading was used to grade the MRC changes.

Results

Sixty‐six of 72 (92%) children had PCC (85% asymptomatic; 7% symptomatic) on MRC. Age at study and duration of disease had significant correlation (r = 0.588, P < 0.001). 63% had grade III MRC changes. MRC grades and superior mesenteric vein block (64%) on MRPV significantly corresponded with EUS changes (intracholedochal varices, choledochal perforators, intramural cholecystic collaterals and biliary calculi). Superior mesenteric vein non‐patency was a strong predictor of MRC biliary changes (P = 0.003, odds ratio 46.4, 95% confidence interval 4.91–623.6).

Conclusions

A majority of EHPVO children have asymptomatic cholangiopathy and should be routinely evaluated for PCC at the time of first presentation by MRC‐MRPV. Additional superior mesenteric vein block with portal cavernoma results in significantly higher changes of cholangiopathy on MRC and EUS.
Embracing microbial exposure in mouse research
Authors: Huggins Mathew A , Jameson Stephen C , Hamilton Sara E
Published: September 2018

Research using mouse models have contributed essential knowledge toward our current understanding of how the human immune system functions. One key difference between humans and typical laboratory mice, however, is exposure to pathogens in their respective environments. Several recent studies have highlighted that these microbial encounters shape the development and functional status of the immune system. For humans, such numerous and unavoidable encounters with viruses, bacteria, and parasites may be a defining factor in generating a healthy and robust immune system, poised to respond to new infections and to vaccination. Additionally, the commensal organisms that make up the host microbiome also change with environment and impact the immune response. Hence, there is a pressing need to generate more faithful mouse models that reflect the natural state of the human immune system. This review explores the use of new experimental mouse models designed to better understand how host-microbial interactions shape the immune response. By embracing these technologies to complement traditional mouse models, researchers can remove a significant barrier that has long separated murine and human immunologists.

Review exploring newly developed mouse models that include microbial experience to more closely recapitulate the human immune system.
The (Dis)Pleasures of Creativity: Spontaneous Eye Blink Rate during Divergent and Convergent Thinking Depends on Individual Differences in Positive and Negative Affect
Authors: de Rooij Alwin , Vromans Ruben D.
Published: September 2018

Previous research has demonstrated that individual differences in affect and motivation predict divergent and convergent thinking performance, two thinking processes involved in creative idea generation. Individual differences in affect and motivation also predict spontaneous eye blink rate (sEBR) during divergent and convergent thinking; and sEBR predicts divergent and convergent thinking performance. This study investigates experimentally whether the relationship between sEBR and divergent and convergent thinking depends on individual differences in affect and motivation. Eighty‐two participants completed the Emotion/motivation‐related Divergent and Convergent thinking styles Scale (EDICOS; G. Soroa et al., 2015), performed the alternative uses task (AUT; divergent thinking) or the remote associates task (RAT; convergent thinking), while their sEBR was captured with an eye‐tracker. The results showed that individual differences in positive affect positively correlated with sEBR for the AUT, whereas individual differences in negative affect positively correlated with sEBR for the RAT. Furthermore, the interaction between individual differences in positive and negative affect and sEBR predicted divergent and convergent thinking performance. The contribution of our study is therefore that individual differences in positive and negative affect can both positively correlate with sEBR during divergent and convergent thinking; and that this predicts divergent and convergent thinking performance.
Effect of Different Tube Feeding Methods on the Delivery of Docosahexaenoic and Arachidonic Acid: An In Vitro Pilot Study
Authors: Martini Silvia , Aceti Arianna , Furini Martina , Munarini Alessandra , La Riccia Cristina , Mantovani Vilma , Faldella Giacomo , Corvaglia Luigi
Published: September 2018

Background: Arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are crucial for neural and visual development after premature birth. Preterm infants usually require tube feeding (TF) until the achievement of adequate oral feeding skills; the impact of TF on DHA and AA delivery has not been investigated yet. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different TF techniques on the delivery of AA and DHA contained in human milk (HM). Methods: HM samples (65 mL each) were collected and divided into three 20‐mL aliquots. The remaining 5 mL served as baseline. Three TF techniques were simulated (1 for each aliquot): gravity bolus feeding (BF), 3‐hour continuous feeding using a horizontal feeding pump, and 3‐hour continuous feeding with the feeding pump angled at 45°. For horizontal continuous feeding (HCF) and 45° angled continuous feeding (ACF), aliquots delivered between 0 and 90 minutes (T1) and 91 and 180 minutes (T2) were collected separately. AA and DHA concentration was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and compared among the TF methods. DHA and AA delivery at T1 and T2 was also evaluated. Results: Fifty‐one simulated feeds were performed. DHA and AA amounts after BF and ACF did not differ significantly compared with baseline, whereas HCF resulted in significantly lower DHA and AA concentration. During T2, ACF delivered almost twice the DHA and AA amounts compared with T1. Conclusion: The delivery of HM AA and DHA is significantly affected by TF, with potential clinical implications. When BF is not tolerated, ACF might represent a feasible alternative to reduce TF‐related DHA and AA loss.
The Effect of Higher Protein Dosing in Critically Ill Patients: A Multicenter Registry‐Based Randomized Trial: The EFFORT Trial
Authors: Heyland Daren K. , Patel Jayshil , Bear Danielle , Sacks Gordon , Nixdorf Heidi , Dolan Jennifer , Aloupis Marianne , Licastro Kate , Jovanovic Vera , Rice Todd W. , Compher Charlene
Published: September 2018

Current randomized trials and observational studies evaluating higher versus lower protein doses in critically ill patients yield inconclusive results. Because of few studies and methodologic limitations, clinical guidelines suggest a wide range of protein intake based on weak evidence. Clinical equipoise about protein dosing exists. The purpose of the current manuscript is to provide the rationale and protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 4000 critically ill patients randomly allocated to receive a higher or lower protein dose. We propose a global, volunteer‐driven, registry‐based RCT involving >100 intensive care units (ICUs). We will enroll mechanically ventilated patients with high nutrition risk, identified by low (≤25) or high (≥35) body mass index, moderate to severe malnutrition, frailty, sarcopenia, or when >96‐hour duration of mechanical ventilation is expected. Exclusion criteria include patients who are >96 hours since initiation of mechanical ventilation, moribund, or pregnant, and where the clinician lacks clinical equipoise regarding protein dose. The intervention consists of higher (≥2.2 g/kg/d) or lower (≤1.2 g/kg/d) protein dose, achieved by enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition, or both. The primary outcome will be 60‐day mortality. Key secondary outcomes include time‐to‐discharge alive from hospital, ICU and hospital survival, and length of stay. As this is research based on existing medical practice, we will apply for a waiver of informed consent, where possible. The large sample size is a reflection of the small signal we expect to see in this large, pragmatic trial.
The application of FT‐NIRS for the detection of bruises and the prediction of rot susceptibility of ‘Hass’ avocado fruit
Authors: Wedding Brett B , Wright Carole , Grauf Steve , Gadek Paul , White Ronald D
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

A rapid non‐destructive in‐line grading system that can rapidly and accurately assess individual avocado fruit for internal quality attributes, including bruises and rots, would allow the avocado industry to provide a more consistent fruit quality to the consumer, optimise market distribution and ensure maximum yield for the producer and retailer. Fourier transform–near‐infrared (FT‐NIR) spectroscopy was investigated to detect bruises and rot susceptibility as an indication of shelf‐life in avocado fruit at both the sprung stage of ripeness and eating ripe fruit.

RESULTS

The classification models (principal component linear discriminant analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis and support vector machine) for each of three growing seasons found hard green fruit that were deliberately bruised could be correctly detected with 70–78% accuracy after 2–5 h following impact damage and with 83–89% accuracy after 24 h. For eating ripe fruit, the accuracy was 60–100% after 2–5 h following impact damage and 66–100% after 24 h. The ability of the classification models to accurately predict rot development into two classes, ≤10% and >10% of flesh affected, ranged from 65% to 84% over the three growing seasons. When the rot classes were defined as ≤30% and >30% the accuracy was 69–77%.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study highlight the potential of FT‐NIR reflectance spectroscopy for application in a commercial, in‐line setting for the non‐destructive evaluation of impact damage and rot susceptibility of whole avocado fruit. The study indicates that fruit should be held for approximately 24 h prior to scanning to allow bruise development to occur, particularly in hard fruit (i.e., stage 2) prior to bruise assessment. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Fucosterol Causes Small Changes in Lipid Storage and Brassicasterol Affects some Markers of Lipid Metabolism in Atlantic Salmon Hepatocytes
Authors: Liland Nina S. , Pittman Karin , Whatmore Paul , Torstensen Bente E. , Sissener Nini H.
Published: September 2018

Several feeding trials with Atlantic salmon fed naturally high phytosterol concentrations due to dietary rapeseed oil inclusion have shown changes in lipid metabolism and increased hepatic lipid storage in the fish. An in vitro trial with Atlantic salmon hepatocytes was, therefore, performed to study the possible direct effects of phytosterols on lipid storage and metabolism. The isolated hepatocytes were exposed to seven different sterol treatments and gene expression, as well as lipid accumulation by Oil Red O dyeing, was assessed. Fucosterol, a sterol found in many algae species, had an effect on the size of individual lipid droplets, leading to smaller lipid droplets than in the control without added sterols. A sterol extract from soybean/rapeseed led to an increase in the percentage of hepatocytes with visible lipid droplets at 20× magnification, while hepatocytes of both the sterol extract‐treated groups and fucosterol‐treated groups had a larger proportion of their area covered with lipids compared to control cells. Brassicasterol, a sterol characteristic of rapeseed oil, was the only sterol treatment leading to a change in gene expression, affecting the expression of the nuclear receptors, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (pparg) and retinoid X receptor (rxr). The current study thus shows that phytosterols can have direct, although subtle, effects on both hepatic lipid storage and gene expression of Atlantic salmon in vitro.
Influence of oceanographic variability on near‐shore microbial communities of the sub‐Antarctic Prince Edward Islands
Authors: Venkatachalam Siddarthan , Matcher Gwynneth F. , Lamont Tarron , van den Berg Marcel , Ansorge Isabelle J. , Dorrington Rosemary A.
Published: September 2018

The Prince Edward Islands (PEIs) lie within the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), in a transition zone bordered by the sub‐Antarctic Front (SAF) to the north and the Antarctic Polar Front (APF) in the south. A climate‐driven southward shift of the ACC and its frontal systems, the SAF and APF, in the vicinity of the PEIs is associated with a long‐term decline in the frequency of island‐associated phytoplankton blooms. These oceanographic perturbations coincide with significant declines in top predator populations attributed to shifts in the distribution and availability of prey, illustrating the interconnectedness between the marine and terrestrial ecosystems of the PEIs. This study investigated the influence of oceanographic variability on the marine ecosystem of the PEIs. A shift in phytoplankton and bacterial communities was observed that coincides with the position of the southern branch of the SAF, which was located to the north of the PEIs during 2014 and to the south during 2012, 2013, and 2015. These shifts in the diversity and structure of marine microbial communities correlate with significant perturbations in the position of the SAF relative to the islands leading us to conlclude that bacterial and phytoplankton communities in the PEI region are strongly influenced by shifts in the position of the SAF relative to the PEIs. This study highlights the critical need to link on‐going physical time series measurements with biological observations to provide a better understanding of the direct role that the upstream dynamics has on the near‐shore island environment and its productivity.
Bioturbator‐stimulated loss of seagrass sediment carbon stocks
Authors: Thomson A. C. G. , Trevathan‐Tackett S. M. , Maher D. T. , Ralph P. J. , Macreadie P. I.
Published: September 2018

Seagrass ecosystems are highly productive, and are sites of significant carbon sequestration. Sediment‐held carbon stocks can be many thousands of years old, and persist largely due to sediment anoxia and because microbial activity is decreasing with depth. However, the carbon sequestered in seagrass ecosystems may be susceptible to remineralization via the activity of bioturbating fauna. Microbial priming is a process whereby remineralization of sediment carbon (recalcitrant organic matter) is stimulated by disturbance, i.e., burial of a labile source of organic matter (seagrass). We investigated the hypothesis that bioturbation could mediate remineralization of sediment carbon stocks through burial of seagrass leaf detritus. We carried out a 2‐month laboratory study to compare the remineralization (measured as CO2 release) of buried seagrass leaves (Zostera muelleri) to the total rate of sediment organic matter remineralization in sediment with and without the common Australian bioturbating shrimp Trypaea australiensis (Decapoda: Axiidea). In control sediment containing seagrass but no bioturbators, we observed a negative microbial priming effect, whereby seagrass remineralization was favored over sediment remineralization (and thus preserving sediment stocks). Bioturbation treatments led to a two‐ to five‐fold increase in total CO2 release compared to controls. The estimated bioturbator‐stimulated microbial priming effect was equivalent to 15% of the total daily sediment‐derived CO2 releases. We propose that these results indicate that bioturbation is a potential mechanism that converts these sediments from carbon sinks to sources through stimulation of priming‐enhanced sediment carbon remineralization. We further hypothesized that significant changes to seagrass faunal communities may influence seagrass sediment carbon stocks.
Heterotrophic microbes upgrade food value of a terrestrial carbon resource for Daphnia magna
Authors: Tang Yali , Yang Xiaoqin , Xu Ruohua , Zhang Xiufeng , Liu Zhengwen , Zhang Yongdong , Dumont Henri J.
Published: September 2018

Terrestrial carbon resources are generally regarded as inferior‐quality food for zooplankton due to a lack of essential biomolecules (e.g., polyunsaturated fatty acids). However, recent stable isotopic studies have suggested terrestrial carbon to be substantial resource for zooplankton, though the mechanisms of assimilation are not well understood. Here, we consider the possibility that heterotrophic microbes can upgrade the nutritional value of terrestrial carbon and thereby support the somatic growth and reproduction of zooplankton. To test this hypothesis, a simplified experimental food chain was established. Aquatic microbes were raised under dark laboratory conditions on a terrestrial carbon source, decaying corn straw (Zea mays L.), and the resulting degradation products were supplied as food to Daphnia magna. Significant increases in microbial abundance and concomitant increases in polyunsaturated fatty acid were observed during the degradation of corn straw. Furthermore, experiments indicated that the somatic growth and reproduction of D. magna was supported exclusively by the products of corn straw decay. Our results indicate a pathway for the assimilation of terrestrial carbon by zooplankton, in which heterotrophic microbes serve as trophic links.
Living ROMP Synthesis and Redox Properties of Triblock Metallocopolymers Containing Side‐Chain Iron and Cobalt Sandwich Complexes
Authors: Gu Haibin , Ciganda Roberto , Castel Patricia , Ruiz Jaime , Astruc Didier
Published: September 2018

Metalloblock copolymers are intensively researched because of their multifunctionalities and potential applications in biomedicine and materials science. In addition, metal fragments with redox stabilities are of interest toward conductors, sensors, and batteries. Here, Grubb’s third‐generation metathesis catalyst is efficiently used in ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reactions leading to the synthesis of two triblock metallopolymers in which each block contains a redox‐reversible iron or cobalt sandwich site. For each metallocopolymer, among six possibilities, only one involving a precise order of introduction of blocks is efficient with the completion of 25 units per block. Cyclic voltammetry measurements show the respective ability of the metal centers to exchange electrons with the electrode, with some electron transfer paths being marred by the positive charges and ligand bulk. Overall, these systems provide a cascade of chemically reversible electron transfers, their number being reasonably estimated using the empirical Bard–Anson model within approximately 20% of the number of redox sites determined by 1H NMR.
Luxury brand desirability and fashion equity: The joint moderating effect on consumers’ commitment toward luxury brands
Authors: Pham Mélanie , Valette‐Florence Pierre , Vigneron Franck
Published: September 2018

In marketing research, the term “fashion” has been shown to have a double meaning. It is mostly used as a synonym of apparel brands, and rarely as a concept defining the degree of a brand's fashionability. Therefore, fashion equity is proposed as a new and complementary approach to brand equity, to help marketers strengthen their strategies. By conducting three qualitative and two quantitative surveys on apparel brands and luxury apparel brands, this study develops and empirically confirms a conceptual model built around the influence of luxury apparel's brand equity on consumers’ commitment. It also evaluates the moderating effects of fashion equity and luxury brand desirability on this relationship, as well as their implications for commitment. Overall, the results add to the existing body of literature surrounding brand equity, focusing for the first time on the joint catalyst effect of fashion equity and luxury desirability in regard to the influence of brand equity on consumers’ commitment to luxury fashion brands.
What’s in a name? The impact of subcategory salience on value perception and upgrade intention for multicategory products
Authors: Han Jin K. , Chung Seh‐Woong , Sohn Yong Seok
Published: September 2018

Despite many convergence products rapidly approaching market saturation, academic research yet lags behind with the focus still on the primary demand in the introduction stage. The authors close this gap by focusing on how the labeling of convergence products may impact on value perception and upgrade intentions for these products. Convergence products, which combine multiple categories of products into a single device, create a unique naming dilemma for manufacturers and retailers: Whether to opt for (a) a subordinate label—a lower‐level descriptor or name that embodies its subcategory elements (e.g., smartphone or Apple’s iPhone) or (b) a
superordinate label—a higher‐level descriptor or name which transcends its subcategories (e.g., multifunctional device or Samsung’s Galaxy). The authors investigate the effects of labeling choices (i.e., subordinate vs. superordinate) on consumer value perception and upgrade intention. Results of four studies demonstrate that the labeling options exert differential effects on perceived value and upgrade intention, while the use of subordinate (vs. superordinate) label lowers the present perceived value, it raises consumer’s intention to upgrade to a newer‐generation product.
How the young adult consumer segment responds to trusty and committed marketing relationship
Authors: Ndubisi Nelson Oly , Nataraajan Rajan
Published: September 2018

Service providers build relationship with their customers for mutual satisfaction and benefits. However, little is known about the relational antecedents and outcomes of relationship satisfaction among young adult consumers. The goals of this study are to evaluate the incremental effect of trust and commitment in determining relationship satisfaction, and the mediating effect of relationship satisfaction in the association of relationship trust and commitment with relationship outcomes (such as attitudinal loyalty, behavioral loyalty, and switching restraint). The model was tested and compared between samples of Malaysian and Australian young adult consumers of healthcare services. The findings reveal that relationship trust and relationship commitment have unequal and equal incremental effect in determining relationship satisfaction in Australia and Malaysia, respectively. Moreover, the mediating role of satisfaction in the association of relationship trust and commitment with attitudinal loyalty, behavioral loyalty, and switching restraint differ between Malaysia and Australia samples. Theoretical, contextual, and managerial implications of the findings are discussed.
Status of brands in children’s consumption: What letters to Santa posted on La Poste website tell us
Authors: Ganassali Stéphane
Published: September 2018

The purpose of the research is to identify different consumption styles based on a large collection of letters to Santa written by some children and/or their families and submitted to the French Post website (La Poste). One of our main interests focuses on the presence and weight of brands and licenses in children’s wish lists. We have had access to all the anonymous posts sent to Santa Claus through La Poste’s website during the 2013 and 2014 Christmas holidays. We analyzed the nature of the wish lists as shown in the 43,000‐post database using several textual data analysis techniques. Extensive heterogeneity was found among children’s and families’ postures regarding that specific ritual. The different types of emails reflect the meaning families associate with Christmas time but also their different consumption styles or attitudes toward consumption: reasoned, educational, hedonistic, or materialistic, for example. When focusing on brands and licenses, we can also observe significant differences in the way families and children include them in their consumption decisions. Brands could have a very different weight in Christmas wish lists and their natures reflect different value transmission modes. The French market for Christmas children brands is rather stable and focuses on a few top leading global brands such as Playmobil, Barbie, or Lego. At least one of the ten leading brands is mentioned in half of evaluated Christmas wish lists. The analysis confirms that brands are very clearly gendered and associated with the children’s ages. Peak time for brand desire is alleged to be reached between the age of 7 and 9. To our knowledge, our research is the first to analyze a large sample of spontaneous data to capture children’s consumption styles and attitudes toward brands. Because of our classification, a first typology of parental consumption styles has also been identified.
Perceived product creativity and mental contrasting: Desired future on consumers’ product replacement decisions
Authors: Sohn Yong Seok , Yoo Kun Woo , Han Jin K.
Published: September 2018

Consumers often imagine what it would be like to own a new product. Does engaging in such thoughts on desired future impact consumers’ purchase intentions, and if so, what is the underlying process? This study sets out to investigate the posed questions by assessing self‐regulatory strategies consumers employ upon pondering on a desired future. Based on Oettingen’s fantasy realization model, the authors take a comparative approach of two modes on desired future—mental contrasting and
indulging—en route to purchase intentions. In mental contrasting, an individual juxtaposes a desired future with his/her present reality, whereas, indulging is simply envisioning a desired future. Contingent upon the perceived likelihood of fantasy realization, consumers in the mental‐contrasting condition adjust their level—that is, high (low) for high (low) feasibility case—in goal commitment as well as in energization to achieve the desired future. In contrast, consumers in the indulging condition engage in moderate level of goal commitment—irrespective of the likelihood of fantasy realization. In a series of experiments, this study scrutinizes the fantasy realization model in context of attribute alignability/nonalignability, uncertainty in attribute meaningfulness and novelty, technological and psychological obsolescence en route to affecting the consumers’ product purchase/upgrade intentions. Conceptually, this study is the first to adapt the fantasy realization model to the marketing context, and the authors provide managerial implications of their key findings.