bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term prevalence data reveals spillover dynamics in a multi-host (Artemia), multi-parasite (Microsporidia) community
Authors: Lievens Eva J.P. , Rode Nicolas O. , Landes Julie , Segard Adeline , Jabbour-Zahab Roula , Michalakis Yannis , Lenormand Thomas
Published: January 2018

In the study of multi-host parasites, it is often found that host species contribute asymmetrically to parasite transmission, with cascading effects on parasite dynamics and overall community structure. Yet, identifying which of the host species contribute to parasite transmission and maintenance is a recurring challenge. Here, we approach this issue by taking advantage of natural variation in the community composition of host species. We studied the horizontally transmitted microsporidiansAnostracospora rigaudiandEnterocytospora artemiaein a Southern French metacommunity of their brine shrimp hosts,Artemia franciscanaandArtemia parthenogenetica. Within the metacommunity, patches can contain either or both of theArtemiahost species, so that long-term prevalence data can provide a direct link between the presence of the two host species and the persistence of the two parasites. First, we show that the microsporidianA. rigaudiis a spillover parasite: it was unable to persist in the absence of its maintenance hostA. parthenogenetica. This result was particularly striking in light ofA. rigaudi’shigh prevalence (in the field) and high infectivity (when tested in the lab) in both hosts. Moreover,A. parthenogenetica’sseasonal presence imposed seasonality on the rate of spillover, causing cyclical pseudo-endemics in the spillover hostA. franciscana. Second, while our prevalence data was sufficient to identifyE. artemiaeas either a spillover or a facultative multi-host parasite, we could not distinguish between the two possibilities. This study supports the importance of studying the community context of multi-host parasites, and demonstrates that in appropriate multi-host systems, sampling across a range of conditions and host communities can lead to clear conclusions about the drivers of parasite persistence.
An exploratory study of student engagement at transnational education initiatives
Authors: Maxwell-Stuart Rebecca , Huisman Jeroen
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Although there is increasing insight in student engagement (SE) in higher education, there is limited insight in how students experience SE in a transnational setting. The purpose of this paper is to explore SE perceptions and transnational experiences. A model, derived from the literature, representing four student identities (consumer, partner, co-creator and citizen) guides the empirical analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a phenomenological approach, 18 in-depth interviews were carried out with students (business and management) enroled in transnational education initiatives of three Scottish universities in India, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

Findings

Students primarily identify the partner and consumer model. Significant levels of apathy were found, not only at the level of the students, but also the staff and the university.

Research limitations/implications

Although the study was based on a relatively small sample, it does highlight the impact of the context (external commitments part-time students, “fly in” staff from home campus) on levels of SE.

Practical implications

Stressing again that the study was explorative, the key practical message is that ultimately meaningful dialogue on SE between all stakeholders – inside and outside – needs to take place to forestall a vicious circle of apathy that would be detrimental for quality (assurance).

Originality/value

This is one of the first papers on SE in a transnational context and offers a solid point of departure for follow-up research.
The challenges of managing transnational education partnerships
Authors: Healey Nigel Martin
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the challenges of managing transnational education (TNE) partnerships from the perspective of the home university managers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a qualitative, “insider researcher” methodology’. It uses a sample set of eight mangers who operate from the home university and 13 “in-country” managers who are seconded to head up the overseas TNE partnerships. The samples are all drawn from UK universities to standardise for other variables (e.g. legislative framework).

Findings

It finds that the managers based at the home campus report a generally negative attitude, emphasising the riskiness and the lack of scalability, sustainably and profitability, as well as the general resistance to TNE from staff on the home campus. The in-country managers, in contrast, experience the same lack of empathy from their peers at home, but this group tends to more closely associate themselves with their local colleagues and to be drawn into building relationships with local stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this research is that it is based on a sample of managers from the same country.

Practical implications

In practical terms, the findings suggest that universities need to do more to increase awareness and commitment to their TNE partnerships amongst staff at the home campus, while providing better professional development and more frequent rotations for their in-country managers.

Originality/value

This paper extends the very limited literature on the management of TNE partnerships.
How supply chain analytics enables operational supply chain transparency
Authors: Zhu Suning , Song Jiahe , Hazen Benjamin T. , Lee Kang , Cegielski Casey
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The global business environment combined with increasing societal expectations of sustainable business practices challenges firms with a host of emerging risk factors. As such, firms seek to increase supply chain transparency, enabling them to monitor operational activities and manage supply chain risks. Drawing on organizational information processing theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine how supply chain analytics (SCA) capabilities support operational supply chain transparency.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from 477 survey participants, hypotheses are tested using seemingly unrelated regression.

Findings

The results reveal that: analytics capability in support of planning functions indirectly affects organizational supply chain transparency (OSCT) via SCA capabilities in source, make, and deliver functions; SCA capabilities in source, make, and deliver positively influence OSCT; and supply uncertainty moderates the relationship between SCA capabilities in make and OSCT.

Research limitations/implications

This research suffers from limitations inherent in all survey-based research. Nonetheless, the authors found convincing evidence that suggests firms can employ SCA capabilities to meet transparency requirements.

Practical implications

The findings inform design of SCA systems, noting the importance of linking planning tools with tools that support source, make, and deliver functions. The research also shows how transparency can be increased via employing SCA capabilities.

Originality/value

This is one of first studies to empirically demonstrate that SCA capabilities can be used to increase supply chain transparency. The research also advances organizational information processing theory by illustrating an analytics capability paradox, where increased levels of certain analytics capabilities can become counterproductive in the face of supplier uncertainty.
Religious beliefs and the promotion of socially responsible entrepreneurship in the Indian agribusiness industry
Authors: Gill Amarjit , Mathur Neil
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between religious beliefs and socially responsible investment in the Indian agricultural industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Owners of small agribusiness firms from India were interviewed regarding their perceptions of religious beliefs and socially responsible investment in the agricultural industry.

Findings

The survey indicates that while religious beliefs and internal financing sources increase perceived socially responsible investment, the higher cost of debt capital decreases perceived socially responsible investment in the Indian agricultural industry. The higher level of internal financing sources, however, decreases the perceived cost of debt capital which may increase socially responsible investment in the Indian agricultural industry.

Research limitations/implications

This is a co-relational study that investigated the association between religious beliefs and socially responsible investment. There is not necessarily a causal relationship between the two. The findings of this study may only be generalized to firms similar to those that were included in this research.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on the factors that increase socially responsible investment in the agricultural industry. The study also provides critical policy recommendations to minimize managerial implications. The findings may be useful for financial managers, agribusiness owners (farmers), investors, agribusiness management consultants, and other stakeholders.
Entrepreneurial coaching: how to be modeled and measured?
Authors: Ben Salem Anis , Lakhal Lassaad
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to model the coaching practice on the one hand, and, on the other, develop and validate an integrative measurement scale that is associated to the following dimensions, namely, the coach’s enforcement of standards, the coach’s empathy and the coach’s expectation for entrepreneurial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study of 111 Tunisian successors, which is based on the structural equation method, has enabled mentioning that the required dimensions are the coach’s enforcement of standards, the coach’s empathy and the coach’s expectation for entrepreneurial performance.

Findings

First, the coach’s enforcement of standards and the coach’s empathy are the main parts of the coaching practice in regard to the Tunisian successors. Second, this study shows that it is necessary to include entrepreneurial behavior on the research that treats successor’s coaching.

Originality/value

Coaching programs concern essentially employees and orient their careers through assistance, advice and orientation. However, although successors face some hardships throughout their careers, they are outside the focus of attention. Thus, this study contributes to the coaching literature by modeling the coaching practice and by developing and validating an entrepreneurial coaching scale.
Sexual signals reveal males’ oxidative stress defences: Testing this hypothesis in an invertebrate
Authors: Martínez‐Lendech Norma , Golab Maria J. , Osorio‐Beristain Marcela , Contreras‐Garduño Jorge
Published: January 2018

The hypothesis that sexual traits reveal the oxidative stress resistance of their bearers has been widely tested in vertebrates but remains unexplored in invertebrates. Here, Hetaerina americana was used to test whether oxidative stress defences are advertised by male wing spot size and colour (a male sexual trait). To this end, we investigated (1) whether oxidative stress reduced survival, (2) whether wing spot size revealed males’ antioxidant defences and (3) how wing spot size and colour were affected by oxidative stress.

We elevated oxidative stress by injecting adult males with paraquat (PQ, a compound that favours the production of free radicals) and then examined how this affected male survival and wing spot size. We then related the expression of wing spot size to indicators of oxidative stress—hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), super oxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)—in adult males (whose wing spot is fixed) injected with PQ. In teneral males, whose wing spots are still forming, we compared wing spot size, colour (red and yellow chroma) and brightness in individuals injected with PQ or water as a control.

Oxidative stress reduced the survival of adult and teneral males. While the H2O2 and TAC markers of antioxidant defences were positively correlated with wing spot size, there was no correlation with CAT and a negative correlation with SOD. In teneral males, PQ increased the yellow chroma and brightness of wing spots, but did not affect spot size or red chroma.

Our results highlight the importance of measuring different markers as indicators of male oxidative stress defences, and that the sexual signals of invertebrates may reveal the oxidative stress status of their bearers.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Mapping extinction debt highlights conservation opportunities for birds and mammals in the South American Chaco
Authors: Semper‐Pascual Asunción , Macchi Leandro , Sabatini Francesco Maria , Decarre Julieta , Baumann Matthias , Blendinger Pedro G. , Gómez‐Valencia Bibiana , Mastrangelo Matías E. , Kuemmerle Tobias
Published: January 2018

Habitat loss is the primary cause of local extinctions. Yet, there is considerable uncertainty regarding how fast species respond to habitat loss, and how time‐delayed responses vary in space.

We focused on the Argentine Dry Chaco (c. 32 million ha), a global deforestation hotspot, and tested for time‐delayed response of bird and mammal communities to landscape transformation. We quantified the magnitude of extinction debt by modelling contemporary species richness as a function of either contemporary or past (2000 and 1985) landscape patterns. We then used these models to map communities' extinction debt.

We found strong evidence for an extinction debt: landscape structure from 2000 explained contemporary species richness of birds and mammals better than contemporary and 1985 landscapes. This suggests time‐delayed responses between 10 and 25 years. Extinction debt was especially strong for forest specialists.

Projecting our models across the Chaco highlighted areas where future local extinctions due to unpaid extinction debt are likely. Areas recently converted to agriculture had highest extinction debt, regardless of the post‐conversion land use. Few local extinctions were predicted in areas with remaining larger forest patches.

Synthesis and applications. The evidence for an unpaid extinction debt in the Argentine Dry Chaco provides a substantial window of opportunity for averting local biodiversity losses. However, this window may close rapidly if conservation activities such as habitat restoration are not implemented swiftly. Our extinction debt maps highlight areas where such conservation activities should be implemented.
An integrated phenology modelling framework in r
Authors: Hufkens Koen , Basler David , Milliman Tom , Melaas Eli K. , Richardson Andrew D.
Published: January 2018

Phenology is a first‐order control on productivity and mediates the biophysical environment by altering albedo, surface roughness length and evapotranspiration. Accurate and transparent modelling of vegetation phenology is therefore key in understanding feedbacks between the biosphere and the climate system.

Here, we present the phenor r package and modelling framework. The framework leverages measurements of vegetation phenology from four common phenology observation datasets, the PhenoCam network, the USA National Phenology Network (USA‐NPN), the Pan European Phenology Project (PEP725), MODIS phenology (MCD12Q2) combined with (global) retrospective and projected climate data.

We show an example analysis, using the phenor modelling framework, which quickly and easily compares 20 included spring phenology models for three plant functional types. An analysis of model skill using the root mean squared (RMSE) error shows little or no difference regardless of model structure, corroborating previous studies. We argue that addressing this issue will require novel model development combined with easy data assimilation as facilitated by our framework.

In conclusion, we hope the phenor phenology modelling framework in the r language and environment for statistical computing will facilitate reproducibility and community driven phenology model development, in order to increase their overall predictive power, and leverage an ever growing number of phenology data products.
The Value of Rents: Global Commodity Chains and Small Cocoa Producers in Ecuador
Authors: Purcell Thomas , Martinez‐Esguerra Estefania , Fernandez Nora
Published: January 2018

Drawing on the Marxian theory of ground rent, this paper develops an analysis of “global commodity chains” (GCCs) with agrarian roots. There is an acknowledgement that the concentrated downstream governance of primary commodity‐based GCCs has created a set of “asymmetrical” power relations which blocks the transmission of value upstream towards small producers. This paper argues that this research under‐specifies what is meant by value and rent, and in doing so marginalises the analysis of value production before its journey through inter‐firm relations. We demonstrate the importance of theorising the value constitution of commodities produced on the land and the forces that contest the payment of ground rent and thereby shape the geography of GCCs. Based on empirical research conducted around Ecuador's “post‐neoliberal” cocoa re‐activation plan, we identify the class politics and production mechanisms through which value and rent escapes the hands of a stratified network of small owner producers.
Letter: more studies are needed to elucidate the impact of HBV/HCV coinfection on cirrhosis and its consequences
Authors: Huang R. , Zhang Z. , Wang J. , Xiong Y. , Wu C.
Published: January 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Pol et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14352 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14476.
A temporary glacier‐surge ice‐dammed lake, Braganzavågen, Svalbard
Authors: Lyså Astrid , Larsen Eiliv A. , Høgaas Fredrik , Jensen Maria A. , Klug Martin , Rubensdotter Lena , Szczuciński Witold
Published: January 2018

A prominent thrust‐moraine system formed in the inner van Mijenfjorden, Svalbard, during a surge event in a tributary fjord, creating a large temporary lake. Based on geomorphological, sedimentological, stratigraphical and chronological data, the lake began to form shortly after 648–551 cal. a BP. At its maximum, the lake covered an estimated area of 77 km2 with a water volume of 1.2 km3. Lake sediment up to 80 cm thick was rapidly deposited on top of terrestrial and marine sediments. At its maximum extent, the short‐lived lake was the largest of any known Holocene lake in Svalbard. Modern river discharge would fill the lake to its highest shoreline at 23 m a.s.l. in only one season. Drainage was stepwise, as evidenced by four shorelines and abandoned drainage channels. This study has taken advantage of a unique suite of data available for such an ice‐dammed lake. The results demonstrate the power of a multidisciplinary approach for recognizing lake events in the geological record, which is essential given the low preservation potential of such sediments.
The use of dental care services in Alberta, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador: A comparative analysis
Authors: Amegbor Prince M. , Rosenberg Mark W.
Published: January 2018

Public support for dental care in Canada is uniform. Universal coverage and access to health care in the country are narrowly limited to hospital‐based and physician‐based services—“medically necessary services.” In view of the variations in public support programs for dental care, our study examines differences in the use of dental care services among different socio‐economic groups in Alberta, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The study used 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey data. Our analyses find that in all the three provinces persons of lower socio‐economic status have lower utilization of dental care. However, the study further reveals that the gaps between age and household income groups was wider in Newfoundland and Labrador compared to the other provinces. These findings suggest that public support for dental care reduces socio‐economic disparities in the use of dental services.
Revegetation, restoration and reptiles in rural landscapes: Insights from long‐term monitoring programmes in the temperate eucalypt woodlands of south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Michael Damian R. , Crane Mason , Florance Daniel , Lindenmayer David B.
Published: January 2018

Over the past decade, there has been a concerted effort to better understand the distribution and abundance of reptiles in agricultural landscapes and to specifically evaluate their response to revegetation (tree and shrub plantings) and habitat restoration in the wheat‐sheep belt of south‐eastern Australia. This article reviews the response of reptiles to revegetation and woodland management and provides ten insights and lessons that can be applied to help improve reptile conservation in temperate eucalypt woodlands and fragmented agricultural landscapes in Australia. The review focuses primarily on revegetation programmes conducted by Landcare and Greening Australia, and management interventions funded by Local Land Services in NSW and Catchment Management Authorities in Victoria.
Assessing large area forest cover products derived from the same imaging source across Victoria, Australia
Authors: Soto‐Berelov Mariela , Jones Simon D , Haywood Andrew
Published: January 2018

Forest cover products are an essential tool for land managers and policy makers. They are used at a variety of spatial scales to inform decision‐making and policy across a range of ecosystem drivers and services. This article compares three forest cover products (FCP), all of which were created using Landsat satellite imagery, but using different methodologies and covering different spatial extents that range from global to state. It also explores their use and utility across the state of Victoria, Australia. It asks the question, how interchangeable are the forest cover maps? FCP are also validated against a very high‐resolution reference data set. Overall accuracy was around 89% for the state and national FCP, and 84% for the global FCP. The global map produced the lowest estimate of total forest cover, while estimates obtained by the national and state FCP were similar across the study area. Spatially, differences, however, were apparent. The national forest cover map obtained higher estimates across most of Victoria except in the most arid region which is dominated by low open woodland. While the national and global scale forest cover maps were found to have good diagnostic ability for large area assessment and reporting, their use for land management is not optimal and can lead to gross error.
A multicenter pilot survey to clarify the clinical features of patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure in Japan
Authors: Nakayama Nobuaki , Uemura Hayato , Uchida Yoshihito , Tomiya Tomoaki , Ido Akio , Inoue Kazuaki , Genda Takuya , Takikawa Yasuhiro , Sakaida Isao , Terai Shuji , Yokosuka Osamu , Shimizu Masahito , Takikawa Hajime , Mochida Satoshi
Published: January 2018

Aim

To establish diagnostic criteria for acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) in Japan, a multicenter pilot survey was carried out to examine the usefulness of overseas criteria in patients with chronic liver diseases manifesting acute decompensation.

Methods

Patients fulfilling the Asian‐Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL), European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), or Chinese Medical Association (CMA) criteria for decompensation were enrolled from eight institutions in Japan, and the clinical features were evaluated.

Results

Among 112 patients, 109 patients (97.3%) fulfilled the APASL criteria for decompensation; 7 patients were excluded because the decompensation had been provoked by gastrointestinal bleeding. Consequently, 102 patients (91.1%) were diagnosed as having ACLF according to the APASL definition. Among the patients who fulfilled the APASL criteria for decompensation, the etiologies of the underlying liver diseases were alcohol abuse in 59 cases (54.1%) and hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection in 24 (22.0%). The acute insults were alcohol abuse in 50 (45.9%), bacterial infection in 26 (23.9%), and exacerbation of underlying liver disease in 14 (12.8%). Fifty‐four patients (49.5%) satisfied the CMA criteria, but the survival rates were similar between patients who did and those who did not meet the criteria. When 84 patients with underlying cirrhosis were classified according to the EASL–Chronic Liver Failure (Clif) Consortium criteria, the survival rates differed according to grade: 67.6% (23/34) for patients without ACLF, and 41.2% (14/34) and 18.8% (3/16) for those with grade 1/2 and grade 3 ACLF, respectively.

Conclusion

The APASL definition was suitable for screening Japanese patients with ACLF, including those whose conditions were triggered by gastrointestinal bleeding, and the EASL‐Clif Consortium criteria were useful for predicting outcome.
Grazing pressure affects offspring sex ratio in a socially monogamous passerine on the Tibet Plateau
Authors: Li Shaobin , Shi Ruirui , Li Wei , Li Guopan
Published: January 2018

Livestock grazing can affect habitat structure and availability of arthropod prey for grassland birds, and ultimately determines habitat quality. The habitat quality may affect breeding strategies (e.g. sex ratio adjustment) in bird species, but studies investigating grazing intensity on offspring sex ratio are still rare. In this paper, we examined the effect of grazing intensity by livestock on the secondary sex ratio of an alpine‐steppe passerine, the isabelline wheatear Oenanthe isabellina, on the Tibet Plateau. Offspring sex ratio of isabelline wheatears significantly correlated with a quadratic term – (grazing intensity)2. The wheatears nesting in areas grazed at low intensity by mixed livestocks produced significantly more sons than those in ungrazed area (0.41 vs 0.58, Z = –2.836, p = 0.005), while brood sex ratios from other treatments (ungrazing vs intensive grazing and low‐intensity grazing vs intensive grazing) did not differ significantly. Variation in offspring sex ratio was not related to other factors such as maternal condition, paternal condition and other two‐way interactions. These results suggest that breeding birds of grasslands are sensitive to variation in habitat conditions, and provide additional evidence that grazing intensity affects avian reproduction in cryptic ways that are rarely studied. Our findings suggest that flexible management including timely rotational grazing is needed to optimize bird species reproduction and maintain ecosystem health.
Strigolactones positively regulate chilling tolerance in pea and in Arabidopsis
Authors: Cooper James W. , Hu Yan , Beyyoudh Leila , Yildiz Dasgan H. , Kunert Karl , Beveridge Christine A. , Foyer Christine H.
Published: January 2018

Strigolactones (SL) fulfil important roles in plant development and stress tolerance. Here, we characterized the role of SL in the dark chilling tolerance of pea and Arabidopsis by analysis of mutants that are defective in either SL synthesis or signalling. Pea mutants (rms3, rms4, and rms5) had significantly greater shoot branching with higher leaf chlorophyll a/b ratios and carotenoid contents than the wild type. Exposure to dark chilling significantly decreased shoot fresh weights but increased leaf numbers in all lines. Moreover, dark chilling treatments decreased biomass (dry weight) accumulation only in rms3 and rms5 shoots. Unlike the wild type plants, chilling‐induced inhibition of photosynthetic carbon assimilation was observed in the rms lines and also in the Arabidopsis max3‐9, max4‐1, and max2‐1 mutants that are defective in SL synthesis or signalling. When grown on agar plates, the max mutant rosettes accumulated less biomass than the wild type. The synthetic SL, GR24, decreased leaf area in the wild type, max3‐9, and max4‐1 mutants but not in max2‐1 in the absence of stress. In addition, a chilling‐induced decrease in leaf area was observed in all the lines in the presence of GR24. We conclude that SL plays an important role in the control of dark chilling tolerance.
Loss of alkaline ceramidase inhibits autophagy in Arabidopsis and plays an important role during environmental stress response
Authors: Zheng Ping , Wu Jian‐Xin , Sahu Sunil Kumar , Zeng Hong‐Yun , Huang Li‐Qun , Liu Zhe , Xiao Shi , Yao Nan
Published: January 2018

Sphingolipids, a class of bioactive lipids found in cell membranes, can modulate the biophysical properties of the membranes and play a critical role in signal transduction. Sphingolipids are involved in autophagy in humans and yeast, but their role in autophagy in plants is not well understood. In this study, we reported that the AtACER, an alkaline ceramidase that hydrolyses ceramide to long‐chain base (LCB), functions in autophagy process in Arabidopsis. Our empirical data showed that the loss of AtACER inhibited autophagy, and its overexpression promoted autophagy under nutrient, salinity, and oxidative stresses. Interestingly, nitrogen deprivation significantly affected the sphingolipid's profile in Arabidopsis thaliana, especially the LCBs. Furthermore, the exogenous application of LCBs also induced autophagy. Our findings revealed a novel function of AtACER, where it was found to involve in the autophagy process, thus, playing a crucial role in the maintenance of a dynamic loop between sphingolipids and autophagy for cellular homeostasis under various environmental stresses.
Validation of the digital PCR system in tyrosine kinase inhibitor‐resistant EGFR mutant non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Masago Katsuhiro , Fujita Shiro , Hata Akito , Okuda Chiyuki , Yoshizumi Yuko , Kaji Reiko , Katakami Nobuyuki , Hirata Yukio , Yatabe Yasushi
Published: January 2018

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of the QuantStudio 3D Digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) system and a PCR‐based next generation sequencing (NGS) system for detecting a secondary mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene T790M in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients previously diagnosed with EGFR‐activating mutations. Twenty‐five patients with NSCLC previously treated with EGFR‐TKIs were examined. The patients were treated daily with either erlotinib or gefitinib. New biopsies, followed by DNA sequencing on an Ion Torrent systems using the Ion Torrent AmpliSeq Cancer Hotspot Panel and dPCR were performed. A comparison of NGS, sensitive PCR, and dPCR revealed that the sensitivities of NGS and dPCR were similar in this study. As well, T790M was detected in as low as about 5% of mutant allelic frequencies, which represented 5% of the total reads on site mapped reads in NGS and greater than 5% of the dPCR reads, which represented mutant and wild type copies. The strategy in which NGS sequencing is followed by revealed acquired mutation with dPCR may be a reasonable one. We demonstrated the utility of combining NGS and dPCR as a tool for monitoring T790M. NGS and dPCR with formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) specimens might become a standard genomic test for exploring acquired resistance to targeted molecular medicines.
Identification of gaps in the current knowledge on pulmonary hypertension in extremely preterm infants: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Arjaans Sanne , Zwart Elvira A. H. , Ploegstra Mark‐Jan , Bos Arend F. , Kooi Elisabeth M. W. , Hillege Hans L. , Berger Rolf M. F.
Published: January 2018

Background

Pulmonary hypertension complicates the clinical course of extremely preterm infants and is associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). However, prevalence, risk factors, and outcome of pulmonary hypertension in these infants are insufficiently known. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aims to provide an up‐to‐date overview of available data on prevalence, risk factors, and outcome of pulmonary hypertension and to identify current knowledge gaps.

Methods

Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched in July 2017. Two authors reviewed titles/abstracts and full‐texts. Eligible studies reported prevalence, patient characteristics or mortality of infants with/without pulmonary hypertension. Studies were excluded if they did not include extremely preterm infants. Only similar study samples (selected infants with BPD or infants both with/without BPD) were compared in the meta‐analyses.

Results

Of 1829 unique articles identified, 25 were eligible for inclusion. Pulmonary hypertension was observed in infants with BPD (20%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 14, 25), but also in those without BPD (2%, 95% CI 0, 8). Infants with severe BPD were most at risk of pulmonary hypertension (risk ratio [RR] 2.7, 95% CI 1.7, 4.2). Infants with pulmonary hypertension were more at risk of mortality (RR 4.7, 95% CI 2.7, 8.3).

Conclusions

Pulmonary hypertension occurs in particularly in infants with severe BPD, and increases risk of mortality. Due to selected study populations, heterogeneous pulmonary hypertension‐definitions and poorly reported timing of pulmonary hypertension assessments, however, data available in current reports are insufficient to allow accurate assessment of true prevalence, risk factors, and time‐related outcome. Prospective studies, with standardised methodology and follow‐up are needed to determine these factors.
Comparison of respiratory system impedance in asthma and COPD: A prospective observational study
Authors: Kamada Takahiro , Kaneko Masahiro , Tomioka Hiromi
Published: January 2018

Background and objective

A single assessment of within‐breath variations of respiratory system reactance (Xrs) at 5 Hz (ΔX5) measured by the forced oscillation technique (FOT) has been reported to be useful for the detection of pathophysiological changes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. We examined longitudinal changes in respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and Xrs during tidal breathing between stable asthma and COPD patients in order to clarify the features of changes of respiratory system impedance and airflow limitation for these conditions.

Methods

Between April 2013 and September 2013, outpatients with a COPD or asthma diagnosis were recruited. We examined forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and FOT every 6 months until September 2015. Annual changes were estimated from the linear regression curve slope.

Results

We included 57 and 93 subjects with COPD and asthma, respectively. The median follow‐up period was 26 months (range: 24–29 months). Within‐breath analysis showed that the difference between mean Rrs at 5 Hz and 20 Hz was significantly lower, and ΔX5 more negative, in COPD than in asthma patients. With regard to annual changes, only ΔX5 was significantly different, more negative, in COPD than in asthma patients. Comparing between COPD subjects of Global Initiative Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage I/II and those with asthma, there were no significant differences in respiratory system impedance at enrolment, while annual change in ΔX5 was significantly more negative in mild COPD than in asthma patients.

Conclusion

ΔX5 may be useful for long‐term assessment of airflow limitation in COPD.
GrassVESS: a modification of the visual evaluation of soil structure method for grasslands
Authors: Emmet‐Booth J. P. , Bondi G. , Fenton O. , Forristal P. D. , Jeuken E. , Creamer R. E. , Holden N. M.
Published: January 2018

Visual evaluation of soil structure (VESS) is used for assessing arable management impact on soil quality. When used on pastures, operators have identified limitations because VESS does not consider a surface root‐mat typical of managed grassland. The structure of the root‐mat may be indicative of nutrient use efficiency, pollution potential and subsurface compaction. The objectives of this research were to develop GrassVESS for grassland soil management, to compare it with VESS and quantitative physical indicators and to assess its utility for soil management. GrassVESS maintained the methodological strengths of VESS, but uses a flow chart, grassland images and a new root‐mat score. A focus group found GrassVESS to be quicker, dealt better with technical information and made root‐mat evaluation easier. The range of structural quality scores assigned by the focus group for a site was less for GrassVESS than VESS, suggesting the procedure is more reproducible, thus suitable for use by a range of stakeholders. GrassVESS was also deployed at 30 grassland sites across Ireland. Results indicated that GrassVESS generated the same overall diagnoses as VESS, but the GrassVESS root‐mat structural quality score was better related to bulk density, total porosity at 5–10 cm and a visual estimation of damaged sward area. It was concluded that GrassVESS has improved the VESS method for the specific assessment of grassland soil structural quality and could be used in real‐time farm management decision support.
CIP Systems: Design and Functions
Authors: Nangpal Ashok
Published: January 2018

Centralization of production facilities to increase productivity has led to plants with astronomical capacities. This development poses difficult tasks of respecting sanitary production and cleaning procedures. Cleaning Systems form an integrated part of modern production plants and are key elements to increase productivity.

Automated CIP Systems deliver solutions at consistent flow rates, temperatures and at the appropriate concentration to a specific part of the plant. Total CIP effectiveness cannot be attributed solely to these parameters, as the plant design characteristics plays a vital role. Choice of components used, piping design and cleaning procedures implemented contribute to the overall performance of a cleaning process and are instrumental in reducing the quantity, COD and BOD values of waste-water generated.

The following presentation outlines modern principles of CIP systems and the influence of plant design characteristics to improve the overall cleaning efficiency and increase productivity.

Paper published with permission.
Ammonia Refrigeration Automation and Efficiencies
Authors: Ellerbrock Dean
Published: January 2018

Not so long ago most compressor rooms were operated manually. They utilized people to turn the refrigeration equipment on/off. In that case, refrigeration ran whether it was needed or not.

Recently, several plants have installed centralized automated refrigeration systems that have increased their operating efficiencies.

However, there is still a tendency to overlook the refrigeration requirements for optimum efficiencies. Plants keep growing, more production, additional storage and then get by with their existing refrigeration equipment. One of the first question’s that comes to mind. How much of the electrical bill is consumed for refrigeration in my plant? Some of you might have that answer. After speaking with engineers in Citrus, Dairy, Meat, and Cold Storage Warehousing, we found that their refrigeration electrical bill was 60% to 85% of the total bill. So where do we go from here?

Paper published with permission.
The Impact of Brown Oil Recovery Systems on VOC and Wastewater Generation
Authors: Waters Roger
Published: January 2018

The Florida citrus industry has been through a major change in environmental laws during the 1990’s. Current laws dictate that processors must remove 50% of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from incoming fruit by October 2002, and 65% VOC removal pending EPA approval. In addition, processors are more aware of the impact wastewater generation has on the total cost of processing in terms of monies for treatment facilities and monies for permitting. An optimum oil recovery system is one that both reduces production of VOCs and minimizes wastewater generation.

Brown oil extractor (BOE) systems have been shown to reduce the amount of peel oil destined for the feedmill while maintaining good control of fresh water use and limiting waste water effluent. The purpose of this paper is to provide data to the audience about the BOE’s ability to regulate processor’s feedmill VOC production with minimal impact to wastewater generation.

Paper published with permission.
Juice Room Environmental Control Through Misting
Authors: Zapaterra Cássio
Published: January 2018

Waste from an orange juice manufacturing operation generally contains significant quantities of citric acid from the extraction process. Not considering environmental factors and the kind of process fruit, sometimes the citric acid concentration in the air can reach unacceptable conditions. The purpose of this work is to define some methods of environmental control in order to avoid high citric acid concentrations in the air. The main idea is to explain in “common language” how to keep an appropriate room temperature and humidity index in order to reduce the citric acid concentration in the air by evaporative cooling.

Paper published with permission.
A Process and Economic Model for the Real-Time Optimization of Operating Profit in a Citrus Feedmill
Authors: Gray Donald G.
Published: January 2018

During the past 6 years, increases in energy costs have adversely impacted the profitability of feedmill operations. The market values of dried feed, molasses, and d-limonene have not sufficiently increased to offset this additional cost. Lacking alternatives to processing wet peel, many of the large citrus processors have operated feedmills at a financial loss.

The optimal operation of a citrus feedmill requires that a combination of process, resource cost, and product market value data be analyzed and translated into actions that will maximize operating profit or minimize operational losses. In particular, variations in peel volume and moisture content, evaporation requirements, product market values, and resource costs require that a detailed process and economic analysis be routinely performed to achieve optimal financial performance. As a result, the complexity of achieving optimal performance on a day-to-day basis can be overwhelming to operators and managers.

This paper discusses operational challenges that are common to many citrus feedmill operations, and proposed solutions. The basis for these solutions is a mathematical process and economic model that utilizes operational data to forecast production quantities and operational costs for a specified set of operating conditions. Equations are developed for optimizing energy usage, solids value, and operating profit in real-time. In addition to optimizing daily performance, the model can be used to determine optimal product yields, train operators and managers, determine the technical and financial merit of capital improvement projects, establish realistic performance targets, and devise accurate cost accounting drivers.

Paper published with permission.
The Development and Application of Resin Systems for the Treatment of Citrus Products Containing Pulp and Cloud
Authors: Schofield Tim , Miller Chris
Published: January 2018

This paper describes the resin treatment system developed by Bucher Alimentech NZ Ltd. (BAN) for the treatment of Citrus Products containing pulp and cloud. These products can be pure juices, core or pulp washes, or peel extracts and comminutes. The system does not use filtration membranes to first clarify the feed stream, instead a pulp reduced stream containing cloud is treated through the resin beds. Processes including debittering, colour adjustment, and ratio adjustment are described. Benefits are defined.

Paper published with permission.
Press Liquor Filtration
Authors: Johnston Bob
Published: January 2018

Usually a Citrus Engineering Conference presentation before this group is done to report some advance in citrus related technology. This paper, however, is limited to suggesting an area where significant benefits might result from further study and testing.

This paper has to do with improving the thermal efficiency of citrus feedmills. The idea presented can also help reduce cleaning expenses. The concept has to do with filtering press liquor ahead of a Waste Heat Evaporator (WHE). Work done so far is not definitive, and it is clear that further testing is required.

The paper is focused on a machine known variously as the Turbo Filter or Fiber Filter. This is unfortunate because other filtration equipment may be even more effective or commercially justifiable.

The basic premise of this paper, which needs to be demonstrated, is that improved filtration of press liquor results in lower viscosity fluid in the WHE. In turn this allows the WHE to produce higher Brix molasses. The result of this are improved thermal efficiency of the citrus feedmill.

Paper published with permission.
Inhalation of peptide-loaded nanoparticles improves heart failure
Authors: Miragoli Michele , Ceriotti Paola , Iafisco Michele , Vacchiano Marco , Salvarani Nicolò , Alogna Alessio , Carullo Pierluigi , Ramirez-Rodríguez Gloria Belén , Patrício Tatiana , Esposti Lorenzo Degli , Rossi Francesca , Ravanetti Francesca , Pinelli Silvana , Alinovi Rossella , Erreni Marco , Rossi Stefano , Condorelli Gianluigi , Post Heiner , Tampieri Anna , Catalucci Daniele
Published: January 2018

Inhalation delivers drug-loaded nanoparticles to the heart, improving cardiac function in murine and porcine models.
A Novel Piperazine-Based Drug Lead for Cryptosporidiosis from the Medicines for Malaria Venture Open-Access Malaria Box
Authors: Jumani R. S. , Bessoff K. , Love M. S. , Miller P. , Stebbins E. E. , Teixeira J. E. , Campbell M. A. , Meyers M. J. , Zambriski J. A. , Nunez V. , Woods A. K. , McNamara C. W. , Huston C. D.
Published: January 2018

Cryptosporidiosis causes life-threatening diarrhea in children under the age of 5 years and prolonged diarrhea in immunodeficient people, especially AIDS patients. The standard of care, nitazoxanide, is modestly effective in children and ineffective in immunocompromised individuals. In addition to the need for new drugs, better knowledge of drug properties that drive
in vivo
efficacy is needed to facilitate drug development. We report the identification of a piperazine-based lead compound for
Cryptosporidium
drug development, MMV665917, and a new pharmacodynamic method used for its characterization. The identification of MMV665917 from the Medicines for Malaria Venture Malaria Box was followed by dose-response studies,
in vitro
toxicity studies, and structure-activity relationship studies using commercial analogues. The potency of this compound against
Cryptosporidium parvum
Iowa and field isolates was comparable to that against
Cryptosporidium hominis
. Furthermore, unlike nitazoxanide, clofazimine, and paromomycin, MMV665917 appeared to be curative in a NOD SCID gamma mouse model of chronic cryptosporidiosis. MMV665917 was also efficacious in a gamma interferon knockout mouse model of acute cryptosporidiosis. To determine if efficacy in this mouse model of chronic infection might relate to whether compounds are parasiticidal or parasitistatic for
C. parvum
, we developed a novel
in vitro
parasite persistence assay. This assay suggested that MMV665917 was parasiticidal, unlike nitazoxanide, clofazimine, and paromomycin. The assay also enabled determination of the concentration of the compound required to maximize the rate of parasite elimination. This time-kill assay can be used to prioritize early-stage
Cryptosporidium
drug leads and may aid in planning
in vivo
efficacy experiments. Collectively, these results identify MMV665917 as a promising lead and establish a new method for characterizing potential anticryptosporidial agents.
Complete Genome Sequence ofBacillus methylotrophicusStrain NKG-1, Isolated from the Changbai Mountains, China
Authors: Liu Binghua , Ge Beibei , Azhar Noreen , Zhao Wenjun , Cui Hailan , Zhang Kecheng
Published: January 2018

We report here the complete genome sequence ofBacillus methylotrophicusNKG-1, isolated from rare dormant volcanic soils on the Changbai Mountains in China. The 4.20-Mb genome contains 4,432 genes and has a G+C content of 47.06%.