bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma in a Caucasian Patient After Sexual Transmission of Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1
Authors: Sibon David , Cassar Olivier , Duga Isabelle , Brouzes Chantal , Ghez David , Pasquier Christophe , Sibon Claire , Desrames Alexandra , Mortreux Franck , Wattel Eric , Bazarbachi Ali , Gessain Antoine , Hermine Olivier
Published: March 2015

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), a T-cell neoplasm caused by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), develops in the majority of cases in individuals who were infected with HTLV-1 as young children, by their mother during prolonged breastfeeding. We report the case of a Caucasian French man, whose parents were HTLV-1-seronegative and who developed ATLL after HTLV-1 sexual transmission by a Cameroonian woman. This hypothesis was corroborated by genotyping of the patient's virus, which revealed an HTLV-1B strain, found only in Central Africa, especially in Cameroon. Thus, ATLL may develop after HTLV-1 infection during adulthood, outside breastfeeding.
Influence of Oxalate, Phytate, Tannin, Dietary Fiber, and Cooking on Calcium Bioavailability of Commonly Consumed Cereals and Millets in India
Authors: Amalraj Augustine , Pius Anitha
Published: March 2015

The objectives of this research were to study the bioavailable calcium from widely used cereals and millets by an in vitro method and to provide data on the role of calcium inhibitors. The average total calcium content of the analyzed raw cereals and millets ranged from 10.2 to 324.6 mg/100 g (the lowest and highest values correspond to maize and finger millet, respectively), whereas the rest of the raw cereals and millets had calcium content in the range of 26.3–50.4 mg/100 g, except for rice samples (10.4 mg/100 g). Soluble percentage of calcium is the highest in maize (45.1%), and dialyzable calcium percentage is the highest in wheat (34.9%). The cooking process did not significantly affect calcium bioavailability and the contents of phytate and tannin. However, cooking reduced the oxalate content, and in the case of dietary fiber significant increase was observed. The order of oxalate content in the cereals and millets studied was found to be pearl millet > finger millet > wheat > maize > sorghum > rice. Multiple regression analysis carried out to explain the influence of oxalate, phytate, tannin, and dietary fiber on calcium bioavailability showed greater inhibitory effect of oxalate.
QTL Analysis for Resistance to Blast Disease in U.S. Weedy Rice
Authors: Liu Yan , Qi Xinshuai , Gealy Dave R. , Olsen Kenneth M. , Caicedo Ana L. , Jia Yulin
Published: March 2015

Understanding the genetic architecture of adaptation is of great importance in evolutionary biology. U.S. weedy rice is well adapted to the local conditions in U.S. rice fields. Rice blast disease is one of the most destructive diseases of cultivated rice worldwide. However, information about resistance to blast in weedy rice is limited. Here, we evaluated the disease reactions of 60 U.S. weedy rice accessions with 14 blast races, and investigated the quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with blast resistance in two major ecotypes of U.S. weedy rice. Our results revealed that U.S. weedy rice exhibited a broad resistance spectrum. Using genotyping by sequencing, we identified 28 resistance QTL in two U.S. weedy rice ecotypes. The resistance QTL with relatively large and small effects suggest that U.S. weedy rice groups have adapted to blast disease using two methods, both major resistance (R) genes and QTL. Three genomic loci shared by some of the resistance QTL indicated that these loci may contribute to no-race-specific resistance in weedy rice. Comparing with known blast disease R genes, we found that the R genes at these resistance QTL are novel, suggesting that U.S. weedy rice is a potential source of novel blast R genes for resistant breeding.
Influence of Harvest Timing, Fungicides, and Beet necrotic yellow vein virus on Sugar Beet Storage
Authors: Strausbaugh Carl A. , Neher Oliver , Rearick Eugene , Eujayl Imad A.
Published: March 2015

Root rots in sugar beet storage can lead to multimillion dollar losses because of reduced sucrose recovery. Thus, studies were conducted to establish additional fungicide treatments for sugar beet storage and a greater understanding of the fungi involved in the sugar beet storage rot complex in Idaho. A water control treatment and three fungicides (Mertect [product at 0.065 ml/kg of roots; 42.3% thiabendazole {vol/vol}], Propulse [product at 0.049 ml/kg of roots; 17.4% fluopyram and 17.4% prothioconazole {vol/vol}], and Stadium [product at 0.13 ml/kg of roots; 12.51% azoxystrobin, 12.51% fludioxonil, and 9.76% difenoconozole {vol/vol}]) were investigated for the ability to control fungal rots of sugar beet roots held up to 148 days in storage during the 2012 and 2013 storage seasons. At the end of September into October, roots were harvested weekly for 5 weeks from each of two sugar beet fields in Idaho, treated with the appropriate fungicide, and placed on top of a commercial indoor sugar beet storage pile until early February. Differences (P < 0.0001 to 0.0150) among fungicide treatments were evident. Propulse- and Stadium-treated roots had 84 to 100% less fungal growth versus the control roots, whereas fungal growth on Mertect-treated roots was not different from the control roots in 7 of 12 comparisons for roots harvested each of the first 3 weeks in both years of this study. The Propulse- and Stadium-treated roots also reduced (P < 0.0001 to 0.0146; based on weeks 1, 3, and 4 in 2012 and weeks 1, 3, 4, and 5 in 2013) sucrose loss by 14 to 46% versus the control roots, whereas roots treated with Mertect did not change sucrose loss compared with the control roots in 7 of 10 evaluations. The predominant fungi isolated from symptomatic roots were an Athelia-like sp., Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium spp., and Phoma betae. If Propulse and Stadium are labeled for use on sugar beet in storage, these fungicides should be considered for root rot control in commercial sugar beet storage and on roots held for vernalization for seed production of this biennial plant species.
Complete Nucleotide Sequence of Artichoke latent virus Shows it to be a Member of the Genus Macluravirus in the Family Potyviridae
Authors: Minutillo S. A. , Marais A. , Mascia T. , Faure C. , Svanella-Dumas L. , Theil S. , Payet A. , Perennec S. , Schoen L. , Gallitelli D. , Candresse T.
Published: March 2015

Complete genomic sequences of Artichoke latent virus (ArLV) have been obtained by classical or high-throughput sequencing for an ArLV isolate from Italy (ITBr05) and for two isolates from France (FR37 and FR50). The genome is 8,278 to 8,291 nucleotides long and has a genomic organization comparable with that of Chinese yam necrotic mosaic virus (CYNMV), the only macluravirus fully sequenced to date. The cleavage sites of the viral polyprotein have been tentatively identified by comparison with CYNMV, confirming that macluraviruses are characterized by the absence of a P1 protein, a shorter and N-terminally truncated coat protein (CP). Sequence comparisons firmly place ArLV within the genus Macluravirus, and confirm previous results suggesting that Ranunculus latent virus (RALV), a previously described Macluravirus sp., is very closely related to ArLV. Serological relationships and comparisons of the CP gene and of the partial RaLV sequence available all indicate that RaLV should not be considered as a distinct species but as a strain of ArLV. The results obtained also suggest that the spectrum of currently used ArLV-specific molecular hybridization or polymerase chain reaction detection assays should be improved to cover all isolates and strains in the ArLV species.
Higher Potassium Concentration in Shoots Reduces Gray Mold in Sweet Basil
Authors: Yermiyahu Uri , Israeli Lior , David Dalia Rav , Faingold Inna , Elad Yigal
Published: March 2015

Nutritional elements can affect plant susceptibility to plant pathogens, including Botrytis cinerea. We tested the effect of potassium (K) fertilization on gray mold in sweet basil grown in pots, containers, and soil. Increased K in the irrigation water and in the sweet basil tissue resulted in an exponential decrease in gray mold severity. Potassium supplied to plants by foliar application resulted in a significant decrease in gray mold in plants grown with a low rate of K fertigation. Lower K fertigation resulted in a significant increase in B. cinerea infection under semi-commercial conditions. Gray mold severity in harvested shoots was significantly negatively correlated with K concentration in the irrigation solution, revealing resistance to B. cinerea infection as a result of high K concentration in sweet basil tissue. Gray mold was reduced following K foliar application of the plants. In general, there was no synergy between the fertigation and foliar spray treatments. Proper K fertilization can replace some of the required chemical fungicide treatments and it may be integrated into gray mold management for improved disease suppression.
Label Design Affects Medication Safety in an Operating Room Crisis: A Controlled Simulation Study
Authors: Estock Jamie L. , Murray Andrew W. , Mizah Margaret T. , Mangione Michael P. , Goode Joseph S. , Eibling David E.
Published: March 2015

Objective

Several factors contribute to medication errors in clinical practice settings, including the design of medication labels. The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of label design on medication safety in a realistic, high-stress clinical situation.

Methods

Ninety-six anesthesia trainee participants were randomly assigned to either the redesigned or the current label condition. Participants were blinded to the study's focus on medication label design and their assigned label condition. Each participant was the sole anesthesia provider in a simulated operating room scenario involving an unexpected vascular injury. The surgeon asked the participant to administer hetastarch to the simulated patient because of hemodynamic instability. The fluid drawer of the anesthesia cart contained three 500-ml intravenous bags of hetastarch and one 500-ml intravenous bag of lidocaine. We hypothesized that redesigned labels would help participants correctly select hetastarch from the cart. If the participants incorrectly selected lidocaine from the cart, we hypothesized that the redesigned labels would help participants detect the lidocaine before administration.

Results

The percentage of participants who correctly selected hetastarch from the cart was significantly higher for the redesigned labels than the current labels (63% versus 40%; odds ratio, 2.61 [95% confidence interval, 1.1–6.1]; P = 0.03). Of the participants who incorrectly selected lidocaine from the cart, the percentage who detected the lidocaine before administration did not differ by label condition.

Conclusions

The redesigned labels helped participants correctly select hetastarch from the cart, thus preventing some potentially catastrophic medication errors from reaching the simulated patient.
Simulation of the cytoskeletal response of cells on grooved or patterned substrates
Authors: Vigliotti A. , McMeeking R. M. , Deshpande V. S.
Published: March 2015

We analyse the response of osteoblasts on grooved substrates via a model that accounts for the cooperative feedback between intracellular signalling, focal adhesion development and stress fibre contractility. The grooved substrate is modelled as a pattern of alternating strips on which the cell can adhere and strips on which adhesion is inhibited. The coupled modelling scheme is shown to capture some key experimental observations including (i) the observation that osteoblasts orient themselves randomly on substrates with groove pitches less than about 150 nm but they align themselves with the direction of the grooves on substrates with larger pitches and (ii) actin fibres bridge over the grooves on substrates with groove pitches less than about 150 nm but form a network of fibres aligned with the ridges, with nearly no fibres across the grooves, for substrates with groove pitches greater than about 300 nm. Using the model, we demonstrate that the degree of bridging of the stress fibres across the grooves, and consequently the cell orientation, is governed by the diffusion of signalling proteins activated at the focal adhesion sites on the ridges. For large groove pitches, the signalling proteins are dephosphorylated before they can reach the regions of the cell above the grooves and hence stress fibres cannot form in those parts of the cell. On the other hand, the stress fibre activation signal diffuses to a reasonably spatially homogeneous level on substrates with small groove pitches and hence stable stress fibres develop across the grooves in these cases. The model thus rationalizes the responsiveness of osteoblasts to the topography of substrates based on the complex feedback involving focal adhesion formation on the ridges, the triggering of signalling pathways by these adhesions and the activation of stress fibre networks by these signals.
Controlling roll perturbations in fruit flies
Authors: Beatus Tsevi , Guckenheimer John M. , Cohen Itai
Published: March 2015

Owing to aerodynamic instabilities, stable flapping flight requires ever-present fast corrective actions. Here, we investigate how flies control perturbations along their body roll angle, which is unstable and their most sensitive degree of freedom. We glue a magnet to each fly and apply a short magnetic pulse that rolls it in mid-air. Fast video shows flies correct perturbations up to 100° within 30 ± 7 ms by applying a stroke-amplitude asymmetry that is well described by a linear proportional–integral controller. For more aggressive perturbations, we show evidence for nonlinear and hierarchical control mechanisms. Flies respond to roll perturbations within 5 ms, making this correction reflex one of the fastest in the animal kingdom.
The network motif architecture of dominance hierarchies
Authors: Shizuka Daizaburo , McDonald David B.
Published: March 2015

The widespread existence of dominance hierarchies has been a central puzzle in social evolution, yet we lack a framework for synthesizing the vast empirical data on hierarchy structure in animal groups. We applied network motif analysis to compare the structures of dominance networks from data published over the past 80 years. Overall patterns of dominance relations, including some aspects of non-interactions, were strikingly similar across disparate group types. For example, nearly all groups exhibited high frequencies of transitive triads, whereas cycles were very rare. Moreover, pass-along triads were rare, and double-dominant triads were common in most groups. These patterns did not vary in any systematic way across taxa, study settings (captive or wild) or group size. Two factors significantly affected network motif structure: the proportion of dyads that were observed to interact and the interaction rates of the top-ranked individuals. Thus, study design (i.e. how many interactions were observed) and the behaviour of key individuals in the group could explain much of the variations we see in social hierarchies across animals. Our findings confirm the ubiquity of dominance hierarchies across all animal systems, and demonstrate that network analysis provides new avenues for comparative analyses of social hierarchies.
Topos logic in measurement-based quantum computation
Authors: Loveridge Leon , Dridi Raouf , Raussendorf Robert
Published: March 2015

We report first steps towards elucidating the relationship between contextuality, measurement-based quantum computation (MBQC) and the non-classical logic of a topos associated with the computation. We show that, in a class of MBQC, classical universality
requires
non-classical logic, which is ‘consumed’ during the course of the computation, thereby pinpointing another potential quantum computational resource.
From evidence to understanding: a commentary on Fisher (1922) ‘On the mathematical foundations of theoretical statistics’
Authors: Hand David J.
Published: March 2015

The nature of statistics has changed over time. It was originally concerned with descriptive ‘matters of state’—with summarizing population numbers, economic strength and social conditions. But during the course of the twentieth century its aim broadened to include inference—how to use data to shed light on underlying mechanisms, about what might happen in the future, about what would happen if certain actions were taken. Central to this development was Ronald Fisher. Over the course of his life he was responsible for many of the major conceptual advances in statistics. This is particularly illustrated by his 1922 paper, in which he introduced many of the concepts which remain fundamental to our understanding of how to extract meaning from data, right to the present day. It is no exaggeration to say that Fisher's work, as illustrated by the ideas he described and developed in this paper, underlies all modern science, and much more besides. This commentary was written to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the journal
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society
.
Bending space–time: a commentary on Dyson, Eddington and Davidson (1920) ‘A determination of the deflection of light by the Sun's gravitational field’
Authors: Longair Malcolm
Published: March 2015

The famous eclipse expedition of 1919 to Sobral, Brazil, and the island of Principe, in the Gulf of Guinea, led by Dyson, Eddington and Davidson was a turning point in the history of relativity, not only because of its importance as a test of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, but also because of the intense public interest which was aroused by the success of the expedition. The dramatic sequence of events which occurred is reviewed, as well as the long-term impact of its success. The gravitational bending of electromagnetic waves by massive bodies is a subject of the greatest importance for contemporary and future astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology. Examples of the potential impact of this key tool of modern observational astronomy are presented. This commentary was written to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the journal
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society
.
The prevention and eradication of smallpox: a commentary on Sloane (1755) ‘An account of inoculation’
Authors: Weiss Robin A. , Esparza José
Published: March 2015

Sir Hans Sloane's account of inoculation as a means to protect against smallpox followed several earlier articles published in
Philosophical Transactions
on this procedure. Inoculation (also called ‘variolation’) involved the introduction of small amounts of infectious material from smallpox vesicles into the skin of healthy subjects, with the goal of inducing mild symptoms that would result in protection against the more severe naturally acquired disease. It began to be practised in England in 1721 thanks to the efforts of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu who influenced Sloane to promote its use, including the inoculation of the royal family's children. When Edward Jenner's inoculation with the cow pox (‘vaccination’) followed 75 years later as a safer yet equally effective procedure, the scene was set for the eventual control of smallpox epidemics culminating in the worldwide eradication of smallpox in 1977, officially proclaimed by WHO in 1980. Here, we discuss the significance of variolation and vaccination with respect to scientific, public health and ethical controversies concerning these ‘weapons of mass protection’. This commentary was written to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the journal
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society
.
Foreseeing fates: a commentary on Manton (1928) ‘On the embryology of a mysid crustacean,Hemimysis lamornae’
Authors: Akam Michael
Published: March 2015

Sidnie Manton became best known for her work on arthropod locomotion, and for proposing radical views on the evolution of arthropods that were accepted for a generation. However, her early training was as an embryologist, and the work that she carried out at the beginning of her career still stands as one of the major twentieth century contributions to the study of crustacean embryology. Here, I review her first major paper, largely completed while she was a graduate student, describing embryonic development inHemimysis lamornae, a small shrimp-like animal found in the seas around the UK. The clarity of her writing and the quality of her figures set a standard that laid the basis for subsequent work, and although not all of her conclusions have stood the test of time, they remain a standard reference for work today. This commentary was written to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the journalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
Drying kinetics and optimization for thin-layer drying processes of raspberries (Rubus coreanus Miq.) using statistical models and response surface methodology
Authors: Teng Hui , Lee Won Young
Published: March 2015

Raspberries are a good resource of polyphenols and have a powerful antioxidant activity, but shelf life for raspberries is short which brings a lot of economic losses. In this study, we try to use cool-air (20~40°C) or hot-air (60~100°C) to produce semi-dried raspberries with extended shelf life, and to determine the best method for improving fruit quality by minimizing nutrient losses during drying processes. The effects of process variables (drying temperature and processing time) on the quality of final dried raspberries were investigated. Response surface methodology was employed to establish statistical models for simulating the drying processes, and the moisture residue content and the loss ratios of total phenolic content (TPC), vitamin C (VC), and ellagic acid (EA) that result from the drying processes of raspberries using either hot or cool-air were predicted. Superimposed contour plots have been successfully used in the determination of the optimum zone within the experimental region. Optimal conditions determined for achieving minimal losses of TPC, VC, and EA, and a final moisture residue of 45% using the hot-air drying process were a drying temperature of 65.75°C and a processing time of 4.3 hr. While for the cool-air process, the optimal conditions predicted were 21.3°C and 28.2 hr. Successful application of response surface methodology provided scientific reference for optimal conditions of semi-drying raspberries, minimizing nutrient losses and improving product quality.
Quality characteristics of high-acidity vinegar prepared with grape juice
Authors: Woo Seung-Mi , Yeo Soo-Hwan , Kwon Joong-Ho , Kim Sun-Hwa , Jeong Yong-Jin
Published: March 2015

This study was conducted to develop a high-acidity vinegar production (over TA 10%) technology using grape juice to reduce the importation of high-acidity vinegar. The manufacturing condition’s effect on the quality of high-acidity vinegar using pure grape juice without the addition of other nutrients for fermentation was investigated. Twelve percent acidity in vinegar was obtained from grape wine with 6% alcohol content. The acetic-acid yield from grape wine decreased when the wine’s initial alcohol content was high, which extended the induction time. The pH value was similar in all the treatment groups. The sugar content of the 1st-stage fermentation (1st AAF) was proportional to the initial alcohol content whereas in the 2nd-stage fermentation (2nd AAF), the sugar content was highest in the 6%-alcohol treatment. The major organic acids of the high-acidity grape vinegar included tartaric acid, malic acid, and citric acid. The acid content of the high-acidity initial alcohol group was higher than that of the low-acidity initial alcohol group due to the alcohol content added by the fed-batch and acetic-acid yield difference. The ethyl alcohol content was 364~6,091 ppm (the main alcohol while the others had only traces in all the groups). In conclusion, it was possible to manufacture 12% high-acidity vinegar without the addition of an external nutrient source to grape wine containing 6% initial alcohol content. Finally, a complementary study will be required to shorten the fermentation period through the fed-batch-style addition of alcohol for the purpose of industrialization.
Change in phytoestrogen contents and antioxidant activity during fermentation of Cheonggukjang with bitter melon
Authors: Cho Kye-Man , Joo Ok-Soo
Published: March 2015

In this study, the β-glucosidase activity and total phenolic and isoflavone contents and antioxidant activities during Cheonggukjang fermentation with bitter melon powder (BMP) were investigated and evaluation of the same was performed. The level of β-glucosidase activity was increased at 48 hr and decreased after 72 hr, and the total phenolic and isoflavone-malonylglycoside and aglycone contents increased, while the antioxidant activities increased, but the total isoflavone and isoflavone-glycoside contents decreased during the Cheonggukjang fermentation. In particular, the soybean with 5% BMP fermented at 37°Cfor 72 hr displayed the highest antioxidant activities, among all the samples. The highest levels of total phenolic and daidzein contents and DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity and FRAP assay results after 72 hr fermentation in Cheonggukjang with 5% BMP were found to be 13.5 mg/g, 390.57 μg/g, 90.74%, 99.79%, and 1.705 (OD593 nm) respectively. In addition, the more BMP was added to the Cheoggukjang, the more the off-odor of the Cheonggukjang decreased. These results suggest that BMP can be used to come up with a new type of Cheonggukjang with improved palatability and antioxidant activity.
Hypoglycemic effects of submerged culture of Ceriporia lacerata mycelium
Authors: Shin Eun Ji , Kim Ji-Eun , Kim Ji-Hye , Park Yong Man , Yoon Sung Kyoon , Jang Byeong-Churl , Lee Sam-Pin , Kim Byoung-Cheon
Published: March 2015

To investigate the hypoglycemic effect of the submerged culture of the Ceriporia lacerata mycelium (CL01) species, in-vitro and in-vivo tests were executed using INS-1 and 3T3-L1 cells, normal and diabetic mice. CL01 exhibited an inhibitory effect on cell death through dexamethasone in the INS-1 cells, and increased the GLUT4 expression in the 3T3-L1 cells. A hematological monitoring test was executed using diabetic mice divided into four groups : normal control (G1), negative control (G2), positive control (G3), and CL01 250 mg/kg (G4) groups, which were fed daily for 6 weeks. The body weight gain, food intake, and water intake of G4 were not significantly different from those of G2. After 5 weeks, the blood glucose levels of G4 were significantly different from those of G2. After 6 weeks, the plasma insulin levels of G4 increased by about 36% compared to those of G2, and the plasma C-peptide levels of G4 were lower by about 18%. than those of G3. The results of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed that CL01 lessened the blood glucose levels of G4 by 15% compared to G2. It was concluded that CL01 stimulates the proliferation of beta cells and promotes insulin secretion and may thus have a potential in improving the hypoglycemic effects among the diabetic symptoms.
The cutting process improvement for cut kimchi cabbage quality
Authors: Seong Gi-Un , Chung Hun-Sik , Chung Shin-Kyo
Published: March 2015

To maintain the freshness and to prevent browning of cut Kimchi cabbages, the effect of the cutting process using a ceramic knife under N2 blowing on the quality of the cut Kimchi cabbages was investigated. Kimchi cabbages cut with a ceramic knife under N2 gas blowing conditions (NC) were stored at 5°C for 7 days, and their weight reduction ratio and the browning degree and appearance were compared with those of the control treatment samples (OS; cut with a stainless steel knife under normal air, OC; cut with a ceramic knife under normal air). The weight reduction ratios were 0.07~0.13%, and the NC treatment showed the lowest reduction ratio among all the treatments (p<0.05). The Hunter L values increased, but the a and b values decreased after 5-day storage in all the treatments. The NC treatment had higher L values but lower a and b values than the OS and OC treatments. The browning degrees by Hunter color value, PPO activity, and appearances were the least in the NC treatment (p<0.05). The cutting process with a ceramic knife under N2 blowing could be applied to the cutting of vegetable products and for minimal fruit processing.
Changes in quality of fried rice with crab meat depending on the storage period and temperature
Authors: Jung Ji Hee , Lim Ji Hoon , Kim Dong Soo , Kim Young Myoung , Kim Byoung Mok
Published: March 2015

The edible crab is among the rich resources that can be used as materials for food products, but living crabs and crabs marinated in soy sauce are the only widely utilized materials for food products. For seafood development, research is needed to promote the use of crabs in various products. In this study, the quality changes of fried rice prepared with crab meat, crab emulsion sauce and crab cooker effluent were investigated. The pH and acidity values did not show any significant difference at –20°C. The acidity of the fried rice continuously increased during storage at 4 and 25°C. The VBN and TBA values of the fried rice stored at 4 and 25°C were significantly higher than those of the fried rice stored at –20°C during the storage period. The viable cell count of the fried rice stored at –20°C changed little during the storage period while that of the fried rice stored at 4 and 25°C rapidly increased over 2 weeks. For the fried rice stored at –20°C, the overall quality did not show significant differences during the storage period. In conclusion, the best storage temperature for both quality and safety was found to be –20°C. At such storage temperature, the quality of the stored instant rice using crab meat did not change, and through research the expanding possibilities of using crab materials were confirmed.
Quality characteristics of frozen cookie dough using rice flour of super yield Korean rice varieties
Authors: Lee Nayoung , Ha Ki-Young
Published: March 2015

The highly producible rice cultivars, hanareum and dasan 2, were prepared and investigated for their physicochemical properties, and the quality characteristics of frozen cookie dough with rice flour according to the thawing time were measured. The water, ash, crude protein, amylose, and damaged starch contents of rice flour, as well as its water holding capacity, particle size, and Hunter color value, were measured. The water, ash, and crude protein contents of the hanareum and dasan 2 rice flours were shown to range from 7.28 to 13.14%, from 0.35 to 0.39, and from 6.05 and 8.68%, respectively. The protein content of the control group was higher than that of hanareum and dasan 2 rice flours. The amylose contents of the hanareum and dasan 2 rice flour were 19.05 and 23.04%, respectively. The damaged starch content and water holding capacity of the control group were lower than those of the hanareum and dasan 2 rice flours. The particle sizes of the samples were 48.54~50.05 µm. The lightness values of the hanareum, and dasan 2 rice flour, and of the control were 93.72, 93.51 and 92.63, respectively. The quality characteristics of the gluten-free frozen cookie dough were investigated. The lightness of the cookie made with frozen cookie dough decreased according to the by thawing time, but the diameter of the cookie did not differ significantly. The hardness of the cookie made with rice frozen dasan 2 rice dough was lower than that of the cookie made with frozen hanareum rice dough.
Dynamics of miRNA-driven feed-forward loop depends upon miRNA action mechanisms
Authors: Duk Maria , Samsonova Maria , Samsonov Alexander
Published: March 2015

Background

We perform the theoretical analysis of a gene network sub-system, composed of a feed-forward loop, in which the upstream transcription factor regulates the target gene via two parallel pathways: directly, and via interaction with miRNA.

Results

As the molecular mechanisms of miRNA action are not clear so far, we elaborate three mathematical models, in which miRNA either represses translation of its target or promotes target mRNA degradation or is not re-used, but degrades along with target mRNA. We examine the feed-forward loop dynamics quantitatively at the whole time interval of cell cycle. We rigorously proof the uniqueness of solutions to the models and obtain the exact solutions in one of them analytically.

Conclusions

We have shown that different mechanisms of miRNA action lead to a variety of types of dynamical behavior of feed-forward loops. In particular, we find that the ability of feed-forward loop to dampen fluctuations introduced by transcription factor is the model and parameter dependent feature. We also discuss how our results could help a biologist to infer the mechanism of miRNA action
Absolute refinement of crystal structures by X-ray phase measurements
Authors: Morelhão Sérgio L. , Amirkhanyan Zohrab G. , Remédios Cláudio M. R.
Published: March 2015

A pair of enantiomer crystals is used to demonstrate how X-ray phase measurements provide reliable information for absolute identification and improvement of atomic model structures. Reliable phase measurements are possible thanks to the existence of intervals of phase values that are clearly distinguishable beyond instrumental effects. Because of the high susceptibility of phase values to structural details, accurate model structures were necessary for succeeding with this demonstration. It shows a route for exploiting physical phase measurements in the crystallography of more complex crystals.
A closer look into the materialism construct: the antecedents and consequences of materialism and its three facets
Authors: Segev Sigal , Shoham Aviv , Gavish Yossi
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to unbundle the materialism construct into its three facets – centrality, success and happiness – to provide a fine-grained model that delineates the relationship between some of its antecedents (i.e. depression, anxiety, self esteem and affect) and consequences (life satisfaction, innovativeness, time spent shopping and environmentalism).

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a convenience sample of 568 adult consumers, this study tests a model in which a set of psychological variables serve as antecedents of materialism and its three facets, which in turn affect a set of cognitive, psychological and behavioral consequences.

Findings

– Results indicate that specific facets have more weight than others, depending on the nature of the needs individuals seek to fulfill through possessions, or their resulting behaviors and cognitions. Results validate the view of materialism as a coping mechanism, but also show that the consequences of materialism can be both positive and negative depending on their underlying facet.

Research limitations/implications

– This study used a convenience sample, which might affect the generalizability of its findings. The materialism centrality subscale showed a lower than desirable level of reliability. Future research might consider using the longer, 6-item version of this sub-scale.

Practical implications

– This study helps marketers identify the circumstances under which materialism can lead to negative or positive consequences. Marketers should be careful when designing messages that make unrealistically strong associations between consumption and happiness, positive emotions, self-worth and satisfaction with life.

Social implications

– The negative social and personal consequences of materialism call for the formulation of policies designed to reduce them, and marketers’ responsibility to consumers’ well-being, especially among potentially vulnerable segments of the population.

Originality/value

– This study provides an in-depth analysis of the materialism construct, its antecedents and outcomes. It advances our understanding of how materialism works by examining each facet separately and how it is related to the various psychological antecedents and consumer behavior outcomes.
Organizational environments and adaptive response mechanisms in India
Authors: Vohra Veena
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature of the organizational environments of Indian business organizations and to identify the adaptive response mechanisms that organizations use to cope with their environments. This paper also examines in detail the causal texture of the organizational environments and attempts to build a conceptual model mapping adaptive responses of organizations to different types of organizational environments.

Design/methodology/approach

– A constructivist stance was adopted in this exploratory study to capture the perceptions of the organizational leaders through the multiple case study design to capture the features of the organizational environments and their causal texture. The multiple case study design used an embedded mixed-methods approach to collect data. Within-case analysis and cross-case analysis were conducted to draw out prominent themes across cases ordered for particular organizational environment types. The study was conducted by following construct validity, internal reliability and external validity guidelines.

Findings

– The study highlights and describes in detail the characteristics of the different organizational environment types in India. It is revealed that a majority of Indian organizations exist in turbulent environments. There are differences in the adaptive response mechanisms of organizations in the environment types studied. The study specially focuses on the strategies adopted by Indian organizations to adapt to turbulent environments.

Practical implications

– This study maps the causal texture of organizational environments in India and maps the organizational adaptive responses to the environment for greater effectiveness. This study offers various strategies to cope with turbulent organizational environments and adds to the research focus on causal texture and adaptive capacities of organizations across different types of environments.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to an ignored subject area of organizational environments. Managing organizations in uncertain and turbulent environments is complex, and this study provides an understanding about the various types of adaptive mechanism that are used to cope with environmental turbulence. This study also attempts to answer several questions that previous research works have raised about strategies that organizations use when they fail to cope with environmental turbulence.
Drivers of climate change impacts on bird communities
Authors: Pearce‐Higgins James W. , Eglington Sarah M. , Martay Blaise , Chamberlain Dan E.
Published: March 2015

Climate change is reported to have caused widespread changes to species’ populations and ecological communities. Warming has been associated with population declines in long‐distance migrants and habitat specialists, and increases in southerly distributed species. However, the specific climatic drivers behind these changes remain undescribed.

We analysed annual fluctuations in the abundance of 59 breeding bird species in England over 45 years to test the effect of monthly temperature and precipitation means upon population trends.

Strong positive correlations between population growth and both winter and breeding season temperature were identified for resident and short‐distance migrants. Lagged correlations between population growth and summer temperature and precipitation identified for the first time a widespread negative impact of hot, dry summer weather. Resident populations appeared to increase following wet autumns. Populations of long‐distance migrants were negatively affected by May temperature, consistent with a potential negative effect of phenological mismatch upon breeding success. There was evidence for some nonlinear relationships between monthly weather variables and population growth.

Habitat specialists and cold‐associated species showed consistently more negative effects of higher temperatures than habitat generalists and southerly distributed species associated with warm temperatures. Results suggest that previously reported changes in community composition represent the accumulated effects of spring and summer warming.

Long‐term population trends were more significantly correlated with species’ sensitivity to temperature than precipitation, suggesting that warming has had a greater impact on population trends than changes in precipitation. Months where there had been the greatest warming were the most influential drivers of long‐term change. There was also evidence that species with the greatest sensitivity to extremes of precipitation have tended to decline.

Our results provide novel insights about the impact of climate change on bird communities. Significant lagged effects highlight the potential for altered species’ interactions to drive observed climate change impacts, although some community changes may have been driven by more immediate responses to warming. In England, resident and short‐distance migrant populations have increased in response to climate change, but potentially at the expense of long‐distance migrants, habitat specialists and cold‐associated species.
Wolves adapt territory size, not pack size to local habitat quality
Authors: Kittle Andrew M. , Anderson Morgan , Avgar Tal , Baker James A. , Brown Glen S. , Hagens Jevon , Iwachewski Ed , Moffatt Scott , Mosser Anna , Patterson Brent R. , Reid Douglas E.B. , Rodgers Arthur R. , Shuter Jen , Street Garrett M. , Thompson Ian D. , Vander Vennen Lucas M. , Fryxell John M.
Published: March 2015

Although local variation in territorial predator density is often correlated with habitat quality, the causal mechanism underlying this frequently observed association is poorly understood and could stem from facultative adjustment in either group size or territory size.

To test between these alternative hypotheses, we used a novel statistical framework to construct a winter population‐level utilization distribution for wolves (Canis lupus) in northern Ontario, which we then linked to a suite of environmental variables to determine factors influencing wolf space use. Next, we compared habitat quality metrics emerging from this analysis as well as an independent measure of prey abundance, with pack size and territory size to investigate which hypothesis was most supported by the data.

We show that wolf space use patterns were concentrated near deciduous, mixed deciduous/coniferous and disturbed forest stands favoured by moose (Alces alces), the predominant prey species in the diet of wolves in northern Ontario, and in proximity to linear corridors, including shorelines and road networks remaining from commercial forestry activities.

We then demonstrate that landscape metrics of wolf habitat quality – projected wolf use, probability of moose occupancy and proportion of preferred land cover classes – were inversely related to territory size but unrelated to pack size.

These results suggest that wolves in boreal ecosystems alter territory size, but not pack size, in response to local variation in habitat quality. This could be an adaptive strategy to balance trade‐offs between territorial defence costs and energetic gains due to resource acquisition. That pack size was not responsive to habitat quality suggests that variation in group size is influenced by other factors such as intraspecific competition between wolf packs.
Delaying School Entry: Short‐ and Longer‐Term Effects on Mothers' Employment
Authors: Zhu Anna , Bradbury Bruce
Published: March 2015

Mothers' short‐ and longer‐term employment patterns may be influenced by their child's entry to school. This paper assesses these relationships, adopting an identification strategy that draws upon school entry cut‐off rules, which imply that children whose birthdates are one day apart, but lie on either side of the cut‐off date, can begin school one year apart. We find that this variation has a significant initial impact on mothers' employment, but this effect quickly disappears, suggesting little evidence of longer‐term employment impacts of mothers' absence from the workforce when they have young children.
The Subjective Well‐Being Method of Valuation: An Application to General Health Status
Authors: Brown Timothy T.
Published: March 2015

Objective

To introduce the subjective well‐being (SWB) method of valuation and provide an example by valuing health status. The SWB method allows monetary valuations to be performed in the absence of market relationships.

Data Sources

Data are from the 1975–2010 General Social Survey.

Study Design

The value of health status is determined via the estimation of an implicit derivative based on a happiness equation. Two‐stage least‐squares was used to estimate happiness as a function of poor‐to‐fair health status, annual household income adjusted for household size, age, sex, race, marital status, education, year, and season. Poor‐to‐fair health status and annual household income are instrumented using a proxy for intelligence, a temporal version of the classic distance instrument, and the average health status of individuals who are demographically similar but geographically separated. Instrument validity is evaluated.

Principal Findings

Moving from good/excellent health to poor/fair health (1 year of lower health status) is equivalent to the loss of $41,654 of equivalized household income (2010 constant dollars) per annum, which is larger than median equivalized household income.

Conclusion

The SWB method may be useful in making monetary valuations where fundamental market relationships are not present.
MESOCLOSURES – increasing realism in mesocosm studies of ecosystem functioning
Authors: Lähteenmäki Saija , Slade Eleanor M. , Hardwick Bess , Schiffler Gustavo , Louzada Julio , Barlow Jos , Roslin Tomas
Published: March 2015

Experimental studies linking community composition to functioning are typically confined to small and closed micro‐ or mesocosms. Such restricted conditions may affect both species’ biology and their environment. Yet, targeting simple features in the behaviour of species may circumvent these constraints. Focusing on ecological functions provided by dung beetles, we test whether large, open‐top cages – MESOCLOSURES – will intercept the flight trajectories of beetles, thereby allowing manipulation of local community composition.

MESOCLOSURES were built in both tropical forest (Brazil) and temperate grasslands (Finland), thus testing their general efficiency. Within the respective environments, we varied different aspects of MESOCLOSURE design: in the tropical forest, we examined the impact of MESOCLOSURE dimensions on exclusion efficiency, whereas in the temperate grassland, we assessed the potential for selectively excluding and including community members by different mesh sizes. In the temperate environment, we also went from method to application, using MESOCLOSURES to relate community composition to functioning under two simulated grazing regimes.

MESOCLOSURES allowed efficient manipulation of dung beetle communities, maintaining dung beetle densities at intended levels in both temperate and tropical systems. In the tropics, the smallest cages (1 × 1 m) offered the highest contrast in beetle densities inside vs. outside of the fence, whereas the largest cages (9 × 9 m) offered the lowest. Nonetheless, densities inside cages never exceed one‐fifth of those outside. At the temperate site, manipulations of community structure through mesh size yielded significant differences in functioning and suggested an interaction between small dung‐dwelling species and large tunnelling species. Within cages, higher grazing was reflected in augmented dung removal.

We conclude that MESOCLOSURES can be effectively used to study dung beetle functions across habitats and latitudes. As applied insights, the present study adds resolution to the significance of different functional groups of dung beetles and shows that grazing pressure may have an important impact on the ecosystem functions that they provide. Overall, this study suggests that targeted manipulation of dispersal may offer new solutions for linking fauna to ecosystem functions with minimal impact on the processes measured.