bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extended categorization of conjunction object stimuli decreases the latency of attentional feature selection and recruits orthography-linked ERPs
Authors: Folstein Jonathan R. , Monfared Shamsi S.
Published: April 2019

The role of attention in driving perceptual expertise effects is controversial. The current study addressed the effect of training on ERP components related to and independent of attentional feature selection. Participants learned to categorize cartoon animals over six training sessions (8,800 trials) after which ERPs were recorded during a target detection task performed on trained and untrained stimulus sets. The onset of the selection negativity, an ERP component indexing attentional modulation, was about 60 ms earlier for trained than untrained stimuli. Trained stimuli also elicited centro-parietal N200 and N320 components that were insensitive to attentional feature selection. The scalp distribution and timecourse of these components were better matched by studies of orthography than object expertise. Source localization using eLORETA suggested that the strongest neural sources of the selection negativity were in right ventral temporal cortex whereas the strongest sources of the N200/N320 components were in left ventral temporal cortex, again consistent with the hypothesis that training recruited orthography related areas. Overall, training altered neural processes related to attentional selection, but also affected neural processes that were independent of feature selection.
Sex differences in chronic social stress models in mice
Authors: Furman Orit , Tsoory Michael , Chen Alon
Published: April 2019

Chronic stress creates an allostatic overload that may lead to mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Modern causes of chronic stress in humans are mostly social in nature, relating to work and relationship stress. Research into neural and molecular mechanisms of vulnerability and resilience following chronic social stress (CSS) is ongoing and uses animal models to discover efficient prevention strategies and treatments. To date, most CSS studies have neglected the female sex and used male-focused aggression-based animal models such as chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). Accumulating evidence on sex differences suggests differences in the stress response, the prevalence of stress-related illness and the treatment response, indicating that researchers should expand CSS investigation to include female-focused protocols alongside the popular CSDS protocols. Here, we describe a novel female mouse model of CSS and a parallel modified male mouse model of CSDS in C57BL/6 mice. These new models enable the investigation of vulnerability, coping and downstream effectors mediating long-term consequences of CSS in both sexes. Our data demonstrate sex differences during CSS and for many weeks following CSS. Female mice are more prone to body weight loss during CSS and hyperactive anxious behavior following CSS. Both sexes show disturbances in social interaction, but only stressed male mice show long-term changes in neuroendocrine function and memory performance after fear conditioning. We discuss future avenues of research using these models to investigate mechanisms pertaining to sensitivity to CSS as well as treatment response profiles, in a sex-suitable manner.
Dynamic changes in Anterior Cingulate Cortex ensembles mark the transition from exploration to exploitation
Authors: Emberly Eldon , Seamans Jeremy K
Published: April 2019

The ability to acquire knowledge about the value of stimuli or actions factors into simple foraging behaviors as well as complex forms of decision making. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is thought to be involved in these processes, although the manner in which neural representations acquire value is unclear. Here we recorded from ensembles of ACC neurons as rats learned which of 3 levers was rewarded each day through a trial and error process. Action representations remained largely stable during exploration, but there was an abrupt, coordinated and differential change in the representation of rewarded and nonrewarded levers by ACC neurons at the point where the rat realized which lever was rewarded and began to exploit it. Thus, rather than a gradual, incremental process, value learning in ACC can occur in an all-or-none manner and help to initiate strategic shifts in forging behavior.
CRISPR-GNL: an improved model for predicting CRISPR activity by machine learning and featurization
Authors: Wang Jun , Xiang Xi , Cheng Lixin , Zhang Xiuqing , Luo Yonglun
Published: April 2019

Motivation

The CRISPR/Cas9 system has been broadly used in genetic engineering. However, risks of potential off-targets and the variability of on-target activity among different targets are two limiting factors. Several bioinformatic tools have been developed for CRISPR on-target activity and off-target prediction. However, the general application of the current prediction models is hampered by the great variation among different algorithms.

Results

In this study, we thoroughly re-analyzed 13 published datasets with eight regression models. We proved that the current model gave very low cross-dataset and cross-species prediction outcome. To overcome these limitations, we have developed an improved model (a generalization score, GNL) based on normalized gene editing activity from 8,101 gRNAs and 2,488 features using Bayesian Ridge Regression model. Our results demonstrated that the GNL model is a better general algorithm for CRISPR on-target activity prediction

Availability and implementation

The prediction scorer is available on GitHub (https://github.com/TerminatorJ/GNL_Scorer).

Contact

J.W. (wangjun6@genomics.cn) or Y.L. (luoyonglun@genomics.cn)

Supplementary Information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Uncovering tissue-specific binding features from differential deep learning
Authors: Phuycharoen Mike , Zarrineh Peyman , Bridoux Laure , Amin Shilu , Losa Marta , Chen Ke , Bobola Nicoletta , Rattray Magnus
Published: April 2019

Motivation

Transcription factors (TFs) can bind DNA in a cooperative manner, enabling a mutual increase in occupancy. Through this type of interaction, alternative binding sites can be preferentially bound in different tissues to regulate tissue-specific expression programmes. Recently, deep learning models have become state-of-the-art in various pattern analysis tasks, including applications in the field of genomics. We therefore investigate the application of convolutional neural network (CNN) models to the discovery of sequence features determining cooperative and differential TF binding across tissues.

Results

We analyse ChIP-seq data from MEIS, TFs which are broadly expressed across mouse branchial arches, and HOXA2, which is expressed in the second and more posterior branchial arches. By developing models predictive of MEIS differential binding in all three tissues we are able to accurately predict HOXA2 co-binding sites. We evaluate transfer-like and multitask approaches to regularising the high-dimensional classification task with a larger regression dataset, allowing for creation of deeper and more accurate models. We test the performance of perturbation and gradient-based attribution methods in identifying the HOXA2 sites from differential MEIS data. Our results show that deep regularised models significantly outperform shallow CNNs as well as k-mer methods in the discovery of tissue-specific sites bound in vivo.

Availability

For implementation and models please visit https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2635463.
Similar history biases for distinct prospective decisions of self-performance
Authors: Mei Ning , Rankine Sean , Olafsson Einar , Soto David
Published: April 2019

Metacognition can be deployed retrospectively -to reflect on the correctness of our behavior- or prospectively -to make predictions of success in one’s future behavior or make decisions about strategies to solve future problems. We investigated the factors that determine prospective decision making. Human participants performed a visual discrimination task followed by ratings of visibility and response confidence. Prior to each trial, participants made prospective judgments. In Experiment 1, they rated their belief of future success. In Experiment 2, they rated their decision to adopt a focused attention state. Prospective beliefs of success were associated with no performance changes while prospective decisions to engage attention were followed by better self-evaluation of the correctness of behavioral responses. Using standard machine learning classifiers we found that the current prospective decision could be predicted from information concerning task-correctness, stimulus visibility and response confidence from previous trials. In both Experiments, awareness and confidence were more diagnostic of the prospective decision than task correctness. Notably, classifiers trained with prospective beliefs of success in Experiment 1 predicted decisions to engage in Experiment 2 and vice-versa. These results indicate that the formation of these seemingly different prospective decisions share a common, dynamic representational structure.
Derivation of Poly-Methylomic Profile Scores for Schizophrenia
Authors: Watkeys Oliver J. , Cohen-Woods Sarah , Quidé Yann , Cairns Murray J. , Overs Bronwyn , Fullerton Janice M. , Green Melissa J.
Published: April 2019

Schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) share numerous clinical and biological features as well as environmental risk factors that may be associated with altered DNA methylation. In this study we sought to construct a Poly-Methylomic Profile Score (PMPS) for SZ, representing the degree of epigenome-wide methylation according to previously published findings; we then examined its association with SZ and BD in an independent sample. DNA methylation for 57 SZ, 59 BD cases and 55 healthy controls (HCs) was quantified using the Illumina 450K methylation beadchip. We constructed five PMPSs for different p-value thresholds using summary statistics reported in a large epigenome-wide schizophrenia case-control association study, weighted by individual CpG effect sizes. All SZ PMPSs were significantly elevated in SZ cases relative to HCs, with the score calculated at the most stringent threshold accounting for the greatest amount of variance in SZ (compared to other PMPSs derived at more inclusivep-value thresholds). However, none of the PMPSs were associated with BD, or a combined cohort of BD and SZ cases relative to HCs. Results demonstrating elevated PMPSs in SZ relative to BD did not survive correction for multiple testing. PMPSs were also not associated with positive or negative symptom severity. That this SZ-derived PMPSs was elevated among SZ, but not BD participants, suggests that epigenome-wide methylation patterns associated with schizophrenia may represent distinct pathophysiology that is yet to be elucidated. Whether this PMPS may be associated with neuroanatomical or other biological endophenotypes relevant to SZ and/or BD remains to be determined.
Investigation on the effect of sonic stimulation onXanthomonas campestrisat the whole transcriptome level
Authors: Patel Pooja , Joshi Chinmayi , Kothari Vijay
Published: April 2019

A gram-negative bacteriumXanthomonas campestriswas subjected to sonic stimulation with sound pertaining to 1000 Hz at three different sound intensities. TheX. campestrisculture subjected to sonic stimulation at 66 dB produced 1.69 fold higher exopolysaccharide. Whole transcriptome analysis of this sonic-stimulated culture revealed a total of 115 genes expressed differentially in the sonic-stimulated culture, majority of which were coding for different proteins including enzyme. This study demonstrates the property of the test bacterium of being responsive to sonic/vibrational stimulation.
The Single Particles, Clusters and Biomolecules and Serial Femtosecond Crystallography instrument of the European XFEL: initial installation
Authors: Mancuso Adrian P. , Aquila Andrew , Batchelor Lewis , Bean Richard J. , Bielecki Johan , Borchers Gannon , Doerner Katerina , Giewekemeyer Klaus , Graceffa Rita , Kelsey Oliver D. , Kim Yoonhee , Kirkwood Henry J. , Legrand Alexis , Letrun Romain , Manning Bradley , Lopez Morillo Luis , Messerschmidt Marc , Mills Grant , Raabe Steffen , Reimers Nadja , Round Adam , Sato Tokushi , Schulz Joachim , Signe Takem Cedric , Sikorski Marcin , Stern Stephan , Thute Prasad , Vagovič Patrik , Weinhausen Britta , Tschentscher Thomas
Published: April 2019

The European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (FEL) became the first operational high-repetition-rate hard X-ray FEL with first lasing in May 2017. Biological structure determination has already benefitted from the unique properties and capabilities of X-ray FELs, predominantly through the development and application of serial crystallography. The possibility of now performing such experiments at data rates more than an order of magnitude greater than previous X-ray FELs enables not only a higher rate of discovery but also new classes of experiments previously not feasible at lower data rates. One example is time-resolved experiments requiring a higher number of time steps for interpretation, or structure determination from samples with low hit rates in conventional X-ray FEL serial crystallography. Following first lasing at the European XFEL, initial commissioning and operation occurred at two scientific instruments, one of which is the Single Particles, Clusters and Biomolecules and Serial Femtosecond Crystallography (SPB/SFX) instrument. This instrument provides a photon energy range, focal spot sizes and diagnostic tools necessary for structure determination of biological specimens. The instrumentation explicitly addresses serial crystallography and the developing single particle imaging method as well as other forward-scattering and diffraction techniques. This paper describes the major science cases of SPB/SFX and its initial instrumentation – in particular its optical systems, available sample delivery methods, 2D detectors, supporting optical laser systems and key diagnostic components. The present capabilities of the instrument will be reviewed and a brief outlook of its future capabilities is also described.
The effect of water-mediated catalysis on the intramolecular proton-transfer reactions of the isomers of 5-chlorouracil: a theoretical study
Authors: Zhang Jian , Li Xiu
Published: April 2019

The geometrical structures and thermal energies (E), enthalpies (H) and Gibbs free energies (G) of 13 isomers of 5-chlorouracil (5ClU) in the gas and water phases were investigated using the density functional theory (DFT) method at the M06-2X/6-311++g(3df,3pd) level. The isomers of 5ClU can be microhydrated at different molecular target sites. The mono- and dihydrated forms are the most stable in both the gas and water phases, and, because of the intermolecular interactions, the hydrations lead to a degree of change in the stability trend. Two types of isomerizations were considered: the internal H—O bond rotations in which the H atom rotates 180° around the C—O bond and the intramolecular proton-transfer reactions in which an H atom is transferred between an O atom and a neighbouring N atom. The forward and backward energy barriers for isomerizations of nonhydrated 5ClU were calculated. In addition, 16 optimized transition-state structures for water-mediated catalysis on isomerizations of 5ClU were investigated. The forward and backward proton-transfer energy barriers of water-mediated catalysis on isomerizations of 5ClU were obtained. The results indicate that the catalytic effect of two H2O molecules is much greater than that of one H2O molecule in isomerizations of 5ClU.
The crystal structure of 2-[(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl)oxy]-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one
Authors: Di Grandi Martin J. , Taylor Brett , Corfield Peter W. R.
Published: April 2019

The title compound, C30H30O2Si, was synthesized and structurally characterized in order to determine the influence of the bulky silyl protecting group on the conformation of the benzoin moiety, with a view to directing the stereochemistry of the borohydride reduction of the benzoin. The crystal structure shows a benzoin O—C—C—O torsion angle of 38.34 (1)°, not greatly different from that found in benzoin itself. In the crystal, a weak C—H...O hydrogen bond between the carbonyl group and a phenyl H atom of a symmetry-related molecule forms chains along [100].
1,3-Bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolium perchlorate
Authors: Wang Ruiyao , Aquino Manuel A.S.
Published: April 2019

The title compound, C21H25N2
+·ClO4
−, arose as an unexpected oxidation product of the carbene 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-imidazol-2-ylidine in methanol. It crystallizes with two unique cations and anions in the P-type monoclinic unit cell. The five-membered cationic imidazolium rings are essentially planar and in each imidazolium cation the phenyl rings of the 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl groups are staggered with respect to the imidazolium ring [dihedral angles ranging from 60.9 (3) to 86.3 (3)°]. In the crystal, a hydrogen-bonding network is created via C—H...O interactions between the imidazolium ring H atoms and the perchlorate-anion oxygen atoms. The crystal studied was refined as an inversion twin.
Just benefits? Employee benefits and organisational justice
Authors: Laundon Melinda , Cathcart Abby , McDonald Paula
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Employee reward is central to contemporary debates about work and employment relations; and in the context of ongoing wage stagnation, benefits represent a growing proportion of total reward value. Past studies have shown that when employees perceive benefits as unfair, this has a negative impact on engagement, performance and retention. Yet no previous studies have explored the components of a benefits system that influence employees’ fairness concerns. Using organisational justice as a theoretical lens, the purpose of this paper is to examine how dimensions of an employee benefits system influence the fairness perceptions of employees.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports on a qualitative, inductive case study of the benefits system in a large finance and insurance company, drawing on three data sources: interviews with the company’s benefits managers, organisational documents and open-text responses from a benefits survey.

Findings

Three dimensions of the benefits system strongly influenced fairness perceptions – constraints on accessing and utilising benefits; prosocial perceptions about the fairness of benefits to third parties; and the transparency of employee benefits.

Practical implications

The study informs organisations and benefits managers about the important role of supervisors in perceived benefits usability, and how benefits may be managed and communicated to enhance employee fairness perceptions.

Originality/value

This study makes a conceptual contribution to the benefits literature through a detailed exploration of the type of organisational justice judgements that employees make about benefits; and identifying for the first time prosocial fairness concerns about the impact of benefits on third parties.
Relationship between prestige signals and over-subscription ratio
Authors: Albada Ali , Yong Othman , Low Soo-Wah
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether initial public offering (IPO) over-subscription is a function of firm’s prestige signals conveyed by third parties with reputational capital such as underwriter, auditor and independent non-executive board member.

Design/methodology/approach

The relationship between prestige signals and over-subscription ratio (OSR) of IPOs is analysed using a cross-sectional regression based on a sample of 393 IPOs issued between January 2000 and December 2015.

Findings

The results indicate that IPOs underwritten by reputable underwriters have lower OSR than those underwritten by non-reputable underwriters. While issuer engages reputable underwriter to certify firm quality to reduce information asymmetry, the action brings with it lower initial returns for its IPO. Investors interpret the signal conveyed by issuer’s choice of underwriter from under-pricing perspective and respond accordingly by reducing IPO demand. This implies that investors regard under-pricing as a more valuable signal than firm quality signal associated with underwriter reputation. The findings also indicate that over-subscription increases in IPOs that have above average initial returns and higher institutional participation. Issuing firms that go public in a period of high IPO volume are associated with low OSR.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to examine the relationship between the prestige signals and OSR of IPOs in the Malaysian context.
Examining the willingness of youths to participate in agriculture to halt the rising rate of unemployment in South Western Nigeria
Authors: Fawole Wasiu Olayinka , Ozkan Burhan
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the willingness of unemployed graduates to participate in agriculture with a view to showcase the potentials in Nigerian agriculture especially in the area of employment generation for the youths.

Design/methodology/approach

The study made use of primary data collected with the aid of structured questionnaires from 180 respondents from the three states of Ondo; Oyo and Osun states are the representative states from the entire South West. The binary logistic regression model was used to identify those factors that influence the willingness of the respondents who were graduates of various disciplines to participate in agriculture.

Findings

The findings of the study showed that the majority of the respondents interviewed representing 62.8 percent were unemployed with the majority of the respondents (68.3 percent) willing to participate in agriculture given the needed and required supports such as conducive environment by the stakeholders particularly the government. Educational status, marital status, gender, possession of agricultural training and employment status of respondents significantly influenced their willingness to participate in agriculture.

Research limitations/implications

The greatest limitation of this study is its sample size which is considerably small but considering the peculiarity in the challenges faced by the entire population; this limitation has been overcome, thus, making its findings valid for policy purposes. However, recommendations for further studies that would comprise the entire geopolitical zones of the country to pave way for comparative analysis were made.

Originality/value

The study is originally carried out by conducting a survey to collect the data and is coming to fill the existing gap in the literature in terms of potentials embedded in Nigerian agriculture to assist the government in providing employment opportunities for teeming youths.
Looking at the taxation effect on cross-state smuggling using rational addiction models
Authors: Swan Tina Ting , Sun Bruce Qiang , Floss Frederick
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how the taxation effect on cross-state smuggling can be a valid instrumental variable for lagged and future consumption together with the local price series.

Design/methodology/approach

On the same grounds, the authors raise the question using the rational-addiction model by noticing that the neighboring price differentials really capture the possible smuggling or bootlegging effects.

Findings

Moreover, the authors look into the extended model to test the key condition that the expected future financial consequences will affect the current consumptions.

Originality/value

This supports the rational-addiction model, which can be used to plan the taxation for the forward-looking consumptions.
A review of demand forecasting models and methodological developments within tourism and passenger transportation industry
Authors: Ghalehkhondabi Iman , Ardjmand Ehsan , Young William A. , Weckman Gary R.
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the current literature in the field of tourism demand forecasting.

Design/methodology/approach

Published papers in the high quality journals are studied and categorized based their used forecasting method.

Findings

There is no forecasting method which can develop the best forecasts for all of the problems. Combined forecasting methods are providing better forecasts in comparison to the traditional forecasting methods.

Originality/value

This paper reviews the available literature from 2007 to 2017. There is not such a review available in the literature.
A multi-criteria decision-making framework for agriculture supply chain risk management under a circular economy context
Authors: Yazdani Morteza , Gonzalez Ernesto D.R.S. , Chatterjee Prasenjit
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The implementation of circular economy strategies is one of the central objectives of several governments seeking a transition toward a sustainable development. Circular economy in agriculture deals with the production of agricultural commodities making an efficient use of resources and avoiding unnecessary waste and carbon emission generation. Disruptions in the production and supply of critical agricultural products can have serious negative repercussions for firms and consumers of the food supply chain. In recent decades, disruptions generated by natural disasters such as hurricanes, thunderstorms and floods have greatly impacted social communities and industrial sectors. Supply chain risks approaches are seen to contribute key elements to address the impacts of natural disaster toward the implementation of circular economy in agriculture, helping to prevent collapses in the production and supply of food. The purpose of this paper is to study and identify flood risk drivers and their effects on the sustainability of an agriculture supply chain in connection with a circular economy strategy. By using an extended Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis method combined with a multi-criteria decision analysis, the most essential flood drivers with a degree of importance are reported here. Then, the authors propose an Evaluation of Data based on average ASsessment method, to rank different agricultural projects that pretend to mitigate the flood risks and its impacts on crop areas. The application of this research lies within the framework of a real agricultural project founded by the European Commission Scientific Section, called RUC-APS.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use management science-based tools to address circular economy in agriculture. The authors propose a multi-criteria-based methodology to assess the risks of flooding in crops areas. To validate the proposed methodology, a case example from Spain is discussed to rank different agricultural projects that pretend to mitigate the flood risks and its impacts on crop areas.

Findings

The proposed multi-criteria methodology confirmed a successful application to rank different agricultural projects that pretend to mitigate the flood risks and its impacts on crop areas. Organizations and firms in the agricultural business can use the methodology to identify risks drivers and to detect the best projects to mitigate the highest impacts of flooding risks in crops areas.

Originality/value

The authors use supply chain risks approaches to address the impacts of natural disaster on the implementation of circular economy in agriculture. The authors propose a robust multi-criteria-based methodology to assess the risks of flooding in crops areas and we used to determine the best mitigating projects to face flooding risks on crop areas.
A review on the hypoglycemic properties of selected non-leafy vegetables in Malaysia
Authors: Tan Seok-Tyug , Tan Seok-Shin
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cancers and cardiovascular diseases have become a major health concern globally. As literature claims that frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables can delay the onset of type 2 diabetes and its complications, this paper aims to evaluate the potential hypoglycemic properties in five types of non-leafy vegetables (pumpkin, sweet potato, bitter gourd, onion and lady’s finger), which are commonly available in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

Articles were identified through several main search engines, including Pubmed, Google Scholar, Taylor and Francis Online, EDS, Wiley, ScienceDirect and Scopus. The search was limited to selected keywords to refine the outcome.

Findings

All the five types of non-leafy vegetables demonstrate hypoglycemic properties to some extent. Emerging findings indicate that there are several phytonutrients in the non-leafy vegetables contributing to the hypoglycemic effects. To date, the underlying mechanism of action remains to be elucidated, although a number of potential mechanisms of action have been proposed in the literature.

Originality/value

This review provides some insights into the hypoglycemic properties in non-leafy vegetables. In addition, phytonutrients that are responsible for the hypoglycemic effects and their mechanism of action are also highlighted.
Sport event hosting capacity as event legacy: Canada and the hosting of FIFA events
Authors: Leopkey Becca , Ellis Dana
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how a legacy of event hosting competencies from one event can contribute to advancing the overall hosting capacity of a nation for future events. More specifically, the project focuses on determining the event hosting capacity legacies from the Men’s Under-20 2007 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) event in Canada and how they contributed toward winning the rights for the Women’s FIFA World Cup 2015 event.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case study design focusing on FIFA events held in Canada in 2007 and 2015 was used.

Findings

Four broad event hosting capacity legacies from the U-20 2007 event that potentially impacted Canada’s ability to secure the WWC 2015 were identified. These legacies included: exemplifying success, advancement of hosting concepts, staff and leadership experience and development and enhancement of sporting infrastructure.

Research limitations/implications

The findings formed the basis of a discussion on the increasing formalization of event organizing committees, the need to consider collective (i.e. multiple events) legacies in the development of hosting strategies as well as the importance of developing the trust of the local community to support future sport event bids and hosting.

Originality/value

The originality and value of this research paper lies in its use of empirical case study findings to illustrate the potential for hosting capacity legacies of sporting events as well as the level and type of event under investigation (i.e. large-scale, football/soccer).
Effect of Dipping and Vacuum Impregnation Pretreatments on the Quality of Frozen Apples: A Comparative Study on Organic and Conventional Fruits
Authors: Neri Lilia , Santarelli Veronica , Di Mattia Carla D. , Sacchetti Giampiero , Faieta Marco , Mastrocola Dino , Pittia Paola
Published: April 2019

The effect of dipping and vacuum impregnation (VI) pretreatments with lemon juice solution on the quality and stability of organic and conventional frozen apples was investigated. Fresh apples were characterized; organic apples showed, at equal starch and ripeness index, a lower sugar content, and higher acidity than conventional ones. The polyphenol content was slightly higher in organic apples than in conventional ones while polyphenoloxidase activity was similar. No differences in color and firmness were evidenced. Dipping affected organic and conventional apples’ color by determining an increase of lightness (ΔL* ≈ 4) and h° (Δh° ≈ 6) parameters. VI reduced the lightness of apples (ΔL* ≈ −3) but the addition of lemon juice counterbalanced the lightness reduction by increasing ΔL* from 3 to 1.5 ca. Pretreatments did not affect the firmness of organic fruits while impaired that of the conventional ones ( 26% on average), likely due to different fruit matrix porosity and cell wall composition. Freezing (−40 °C) and frozen storage (up to 300 days) dramatically reduced the firmness of organic (42%) and conventional products (58%). At equal pretreatment and storage time (that is, 15, 30, 300 days), higher firmness retention was evidenced in organic apples than in conventional ones. All through frozen storage, VI was shown to better preserve the mechanical properties of organic apples than that of conventional ones. Both freezing and frozen storage reduced the hue of frozen apple products by up to 8% due to browning reactions. Lemon juice addition increased the hue of both frozen samples and thawed samples by about 2% all through storage time.
Effect of basal insulin supplement therapy on diabetic retinopathy in short‐duration type 2 diabetes: A one‐year randomized parallel‐group trial
Authors: Mu Pan‐Wei , Tang Xi‐Xiang , Tan Ying , Wang Yi‐Na , Lin Shuo , Wang Man‐Man , Shu Jiong , Wang Jing , Zhang Yong‐Jun , Liang Hua , Lin Bai‐Run , Cai Meng‐Yin , Chen Yan‐Ming
Published: April 2019

Background

In this study, we compared the effect on diabetic retinopathy (DR) between oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) alone and in combination with basal insulin‐supported OADs therapy (BOT). [Correction added on 11 November 2019, after first online publication: In Abstract under Background section, “DR” has been corrected into “diabetic retinopathy (DR)”.]

Methods

Between January 2015 and January 2018, this study enrolled 290 patients (age 18‐65 years) with diabetes duration between 0 and 5 years. Patients were randomly assigned to receive OADs or BOT after 14 days intensive insulin treatment. Examinations were performed at the beginning and end of the study.

Results

Fewer patients developed DR in the BOT than OADs group (8 [6.06%] vs 12 [8.3%], respectively), and all cases of DR were non‐proliferative. Blood glucose concentrations were higher in the BOT than OADs group at the 3rd month, but lower in the former at the 6th and 12th month. The rate of reaching target HbA1c ≤7% was lower in the BOT than OADs group at the 3rd month (63.6% vs 72.2%, respectively), similar between the two groups at the 6th month (60.6% vs 66.6%, respectively) and higher in the BOT group at the 12th month (75.0% vs 61.1%, respectively). The SD of fasting blood glucose (FBG), coefficient of variation of FBG, SD of blood glucose (SDBG), and mean amplitude of glycemic excursions were lower in the BOT than OADs group. Changes in the levels of three cytokines (interleukin [IL]‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐17α) were significantly less in the BOT than OADs group.

Conclusions

Twelve months of BOT decreased the incidence of DR in short‐duration type 2 diabetes by reducing glycemia more effectively, stably, and completely than OADs alone.
Is Liquidity Priced in the Vietnamese Stock Market?
Authors: Hoang Lai Trung , Phan Trang Thu
Published: April 2019

This study examines whether liquidity is priced in the Vietnamese stock market. We show that stock liquidity is an important factor that should be taken into consideration in pricing stock returns. Explaining power of asset pricing models is improved after the inclusion of liquidity factor. In addition, while Fama and French's (1993) three factors are significant in the Vietnamese stock market, Carhart's (1997) momentum factor has very little effect. We also document that among various competing asset pricing models, the liquidity four‐factor model which includes market excess return, size, value and liquidity factor is the best model in the Vietnamese stock market. The results are robust to different measures of liquidity, as well as to both up‐ and down‐market conditions.
Alterations in White Matter Microstructure and Connectivity in Young Adults with Alcohol Use Disorder
Authors: Chumin Evgeny J. , Grecco Gregory G. , Dzemidzic Mario , Cheng Hu , Finn Peter , Sporns Olaf , Newman Sharlene D. , Yoder Karmen K.
Published: April 2019

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have shown differences in volume and structure in the brains of individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Most research has focused on neuropathological effects of alcohol that appear after years of chronic alcohol misuse. However, few studies have investigated white matter (WM) microstructure and diffusion MRI–based (DWI) connectivity during early stages of AUD. Therefore, the goal of this work was to investigate WM integrity and structural connectivity in emerging adulthood AUD subjects using both conventional DWI metrics and a novel connectomics approach.

Methods

Twenty‐two AUD and 18 controls (CON) underwent anatomic and diffusion MRI. Outcome measures were scalar diffusion metrics and structural network connectomes. Tract‐Based Spatial Statistics was used to investigate group differences in diffusion measures. Structural connectomes were used as input into a community structure procedure to obtain a coclassification index matrix (an indicator of community association strength) for each subject. Differences in coclassification and structural connectivity (indexed by streamline density) were assessed via the Network Based Statistics Toolbox.

Results

AUD had higher fractional anisotropy (FA) values throughout the major WM tracts, but also had lower FA values in WM tracts in the cerebellum and right insula (pTFCE < 0.05). Mean diffusivity was generally lower in the AUD group (pTFCE < 0.05). AUD had lower coclassification of nodes between ventral attention and default mode networks and higher coclassification between nodes of visual, default mode, and somatomotor networks. Additionally, AUD had higher fiber density between an adjacent pair of nodes within the default mode network.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that emerging adulthood AUD subjects may have differential patterns of FA and distinct differences in structural connectomes compared with CON. These data suggest that such alterations in microstructure and structural connectivity may uniquely characterize early stages of AUD and/or a predisposition for development of AUD.
Validation of Alcohol Flushing Questionnaire to Identify ALDH2 Status in a Case–Control Study of Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Hsiao Jenn‐Ren , Lee Wei‐Ting , Ou Chun‐Yen , Huang Cheng‐Chih , Chang Chan‐Chi , Tsai Sen‐Tien , Chen Ken‐Chung , Huang Jehn‐Shyun , Wong Tung‐Yiu , Lai Yu‐Hsuan , Wu Yuan‐Hua , Hsueh Wei‐Ting , Wu Shang‐Yin , Yen Chia‐Jui , Chang Jang‐Yang , Lin Chen‐Lin , Weng Ya‐Ling , Yang Han‐Chien , Chen Yu‐Shan , Chang Jeffrey S.
Published: April 2019

Background

Carriers of the ALDH2*2 allele have impaired alcohol metabolism and are more susceptible to the development of alcohol‐related cancers, including head and neck cancer (HNC). Screening for ALDH2*2 allele may identify high‐risk individuals for alcohol health education. Although genotyping of ALDH2 is the most accurate way to identify ALDH2 deficiency, it may not be practical due to the cost and requirement for genotyping service.

Methods

This study evaluated the accuracy of the alcohol flushing questionnaire to identify ALDH2 deficiency in a case–control study of HNC conducted in Taiwan using data collected from 904 patients with HNC and 1,078 controls.

Results

Overall, alcohol flushing questionnaire had a high sensitivity (89%) of identifying ALDH2*2 carriers among the control subjects and a good sensitivity (79%) among the patients with HNC. The sensitivity of the alcohol flushing questionnaire in identifying ALDH2*2 carriers was affected by alcohol use, with a lower sensitivity among individuals who consumed alcohol, particularly among current regular (drinking alcohol once per week or more) alcohol drinkers.

Conclusions

The current validation study showed that the alcohol flushing questionnaire may be a reasonable method to identify ALDH2‐deficient individuals. However, current regular users of alcohol who reported no alcohol flushing may need to undergo genotyping of ALDH2 for a more accurate assessment of the ALDH2 status.
Medical Algorithms: Diagnosis and treatment of Hymenoptera venom allergy
Authors: Sturm Gunter J. , Arzt‐Gradwohl Lisa , Varga Eva‐ M.
Published: April 2019

Diagnosis of Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA) is straightforward in the majority of patients, but can be challenging in double positive and test negative patients. Test results sometimes can be confusing as patients with high skin test reactivity and high specific IgE (sIgE) levels are not at risk for severe systemic sting reactions (SSR), and conversely, patients with weakly positive or even negative tests can experience severe SSR. Venom immunotherapy (VIT) is safe, highly effective, and recommended in patients with moderate to severe SSR and in patients with SSR confined to generalized skin symptoms if quality of life is impaired.
Impact of body mass index on utilization of selected hospital resources for four common surgical procedures
Authors: Freckelton Luke , Lambert Kelly , Smith Natalie A. , Westley‐Wise Victoria , Lago Luise , Mullan Judy
Published: April 2019

Background

Evidence about the impact of obesity on surgical resource consumption in the Australian setting is equivocal. Our objectives were to quantify the prevalence of obesity in four frequently performed surgical procedures and explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and hospital resource utilization including procedural duration, length of stay (LOS) and costs.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing four surgical procedures at a tertiary referral centre in New South Wales, between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2016, was conducted. The four surgical procedures were total hip replacement, laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy and hysteroscopy with dilatation and curettage. Surgical groups were stratified according to BMI category.

Results

A total of 699 patients were included in the study. The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher than local and national population estimates for all procedures except appendectomy. BMI was not associated with increased hospital resource utilization (procedural, anaesthetic or intensive care stay duration) in any of the four surgical procedures examined after controlling for age, gender and complexity. For other outcomes of hospital resource utilization (LOS and cost), the relationship was inconsistent across the four procedures examined. A high BMI was positively associated with higher LOS, medical costs and allied health costs in those who underwent an appendectomy, and critical care costs in those who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Conclusion

Obesity was common in patients undergoing four frequently performed surgical procedures. The relationship between BMI and hospital resource utilization appears to be complex and varies across the four procedures examined.
Association between higher ambient temperature and orthopaedic infection rates: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Vickers Mark L. , Pelecanos Anita , Tran Marie , Eriksson Lars , Assoum Mohamad , Harris Patrick N. , Jaiprakash Anjali , Parkinson Benjamin , Dulhunty Joel , Crawford Ross W.
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Many infectious diseases display seasonal variation corresponding with particular conditions. In orthopaedics a growing body of evidence has identified surges in post‐operative infection rates during higher temperature periods. The aim of this research was to collate and synthesize the current literature on this topic.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed using five databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science and Central (Cochrane)). Study quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation method. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated from monthly infection rates and a pooled OR was generated using the DerSimonian and Lairds method. A protocol for this review was registered with the National Institute for Health Research International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42017081871).

Results

Eighteen studies analysing over 19 000 cases of orthopaedic related infection met inclusion criteria. Data on 6620 cases and 9035 controls from 12 studies were included for meta‐analysis. The pooled OR indicated an overall increased odds of post‐operative infection for patients undergoing orthopaedic procedures during warmer periods of the year (pooled OR 1.16, 95% confidence interval 1.04–1.30).

Conclusion

A small but significantly increased odds of post‐operative infection may exist for orthopaedic patients who undergo procedures during higher temperature periods. It is hypothesized that this effect is geographically dependent and confounded by meteorological factors, local cultural variables and hospital staffing cycles.
Addressing the ethical grey zone in surgery: a framework for identification and safe introduction of novel surgical techniques and procedures
Authors: Brown Kilian , Solomon Michael J. , Young Jane , Seco Michael , Bannon Paul G.
Published: April 2019

While the introduction of new surgical techniques can radically improve patient care, they may equally expose patients to unforeseen harms associated with untested procedures. The enthusiastic uptake of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the early 1990s saw a dramatic increase in the rate of common bile duct injuries, and was described by Alfred Cuschieri as ‘the biggest unaudited free‐for‐all in the history of surgery’ due to ‘a lack of effective centralised control’. Whether a new surgical intervention is considered an acceptable ‘minor’ variation of an established procedure, or is sufficiently ‘novel’ to constitute experimentation on human subjects is often unclear. Furthermore, once a new technique is identified as experimental, there is no agreed protocol for safety evaluation in a first‐in‐human setting. In phase I (first‐in‐human) pharmacological trials only small, single arm cohorts of highly selected patients are enrolled in order to establish the safety profile of a new drug. This exposes only a small number of patients to the unknown or unforeseen risks that may be associated with a new agent, in a highly regulated and scientifically rigorous manner. There is no equivalent study design for the introduction of new and experimental surgical procedures. This article proposes a practical stepwise approach to the safe introduction of new surgical procedures that surgeons and surgical departments can adopt. It includes criteria for new surgical techniques which require formal prospective ethical evaluation, and a novel study design for conducting a safety evaluation at the ‘first in human’ stage.