bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corporate social responsibility and brand passion among consumers: Theory and evidence
Authors: Gilal Faheem Gul , Channa Nisar Ahmed , Gilal Naeem Gul , Gilal Rukhsana Gul , Gong Zhenxing , Zhang Na 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAdopting a social identity theory perspective, this research aims to examine the impact of customers' perceptions associated with corporate social responsibility (CSR) on brand attachment and brand trust and, consequently, consumer brand passion. Additionally, it delves into the mediating roles of brand attachment and brand trust. To this end, a survey entailing a sample of N = 266 young consumers living in Pakistan was used, and exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and mediation analysis techniques were employed as methods to assess the hypothesized relationships among variables using both AMOS 24.0 and SPSS 24.0. Our findings delineate that customers' perception of a firm's CSR activities significantly increases brand attachment and brand trust; brand attachment and brand trust, and consumer perception of CSR, affect consumer brand passion, and brand attachment and brand trust play a fully mediating role in these relationships. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Comparative effectiveness of dapagliflozin vs DPP‐4 inhibitors on a composite endpoint of HbA1c, body weight and blood pressure reduction in the real world
Authors: Morieri Mario Luca , Consoli Agostino , Sesti Giorgio , Purrello Francesco , Avogaro Angelo , Fadini Gian Paolo ,   for the DARWIN‐FUP network
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundTreatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) should aim at preventing or delaying complications through the control of glycaemia and cardiovascular risk factors. We herein compared the SGLT‐2 inhibitor dapagliflozin vs DPP‐4 inhibitors (DPP‐4i) on a composite endpoint of glycaemic and extraglycaemic effectiveness.MethodsThis was a multicentre, retrospective real‐world study conducted at 56 outpatient clinics in Italy. We collected data on patients newly started on dapagliflozin or DPP‐4i in 2015‐2017. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients attaining a simultaneous reduction of HbA1c ≥0.5%, body weight ≥2 kg, systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥2 mmHg. Confounding by indication was addressed by propensity score matching (PSM) or multivariable adjustment (MVA).ResultsPatients initiating dapagliflozin (n = 2091) or DPP‐4i (n = 2144) differed for most clinical characteristics. After PSM, two well‐balanced groups of 1149 patients each were compared. The primary endpoint was reached in a greater proportion of patients who received dapagliflozin (17.6%) compared to DPP‐4i (11.7%), with a relative risk of 1.50 (1.21‐1.86; P < .001). Similar results were obtained in the as‐treated and intention‐to‐treat datasets or using MVA in place of PSM. The beneficial effect of dapagliflozin was mainly due to its greater effectiveness on body weight and, to a lesser extent, on SBP. The change in HbA1c did not differ between groups.ConclusionsT2D patients initiating the SGLT2i dapagliflozin had a greater probability of attaining a composite endpoint of clinically relevant reductions in HbA1c, body weight and SBP, compared to similar patients initiating a DPP‐4i in the same period and healthcare setting.
Denning in brown bears
Authors: González‐Bernardo Enrique , Russo Luca Francesco , Valderrábano Esther , Fernández Ángel , Penteriani Vincenzo 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Hibernation represents an adaptation for coping with unfavorable environmental conditions. For brown bears Ursus arctos, hibernation is a critical period as pronounced temporal reductions in several physiological functions occur.

Here, we review the three main aspects of brown bear denning: (1) den chronology, (2) den characteristics, and (3) hibernation physiology in order to identify (a) proximate and ultimate factors of hibernation as well as (b) research gaps and conservation priorities.

Den chronology, which varies by sex and reproductive status, depends on environmental factors, such as snow, temperature, food availability, and den altitude. Significant variation in hibernation across latitudes occurs for both den entry and exit.

The choice of a den and its surroundings may affect individual fitness, for example, loss of offspring and excessive energy consumption. Den selection is the result of broad‐ and fine‐scale habitat selection, mainly linked to den insulation, remoteness, and availability of food in the surroundings of the den location.

Hibernation is a metabolic challenge for the brown bears, in which a series of physiological adaptations in tissues and organs enable survival under nutritional deprivation, maintain high levels of lipids, preserve muscle, and bone and prevent cardiovascular pathologies such as atherosclerosis.

It is important to understand: (a) proximate and ultimate factors in denning behavior and the difference between actual drivers of hibernation (i.e., factors to which bears directly respond) and their correlates; (b) how changes in climatic factors might affect the ability of bears to face global climate change and the human‐mediated changes in food availability; (c) hyperphagia (period in which brown bears accumulate fat reserves), predenning and denning periods, including for those populations in which bears do not hibernate every year; and (d) how to approach the study of bear denning merging insights from different perspectives, that is, physiology, ecology, and behavior.
Gut microbiomes of sympatric Amazonian wood‐eating catfishes (Loricariidae) reflect host identity and little role in wood digestion
Authors: McCauley Mark , German Donovan P. , Lujan Nathan K. , Jackson Colin R. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractNeotropical wood‐eating catfishes (family Loricariidae) can occur in diverse assemblages with multiple genera and species feeding on the same woody detritus. As such, they present an intriguing system in which to examine the influence of host species identity on the vertebrate gut microbiome as well as to determine the potential role of gut bacteria in wood digestion. We characterized the gut microbiome of two co‐occurring catfish genera and four species:Panaqolus albomaculatus,Panaqolus gnomus,Panaqolus nocturnus,andPanaque bathyphilus, as well as that of submerged wood on which they feed. The gut bacterial community did not significantly vary across three gut regions (proximal, mid, distal) for any catfish species, although interspecific variation in the gut microbiome was significant, with magnitude of interspecific difference generally reflecting host phylogenetic proximity. Further, the gut microbiome of each species was significantly different to that present on the submerged wood. Inferring the genomic potential of the gut microbiome revealed that the majority of wood digesting pathways were at best equivalent to and more often depleted or nonexistent within the catfish gut compared to the submerged wood, suggesting a minimal role for the gut microbiome in wood digestion. Rather, these fishes are more likely reliant on fiber degradation performed by microbes in the environment, with their gut microbiome determined more by host identity and phylogenetic history.
Warming acts through earlier snowmelt to advance but not extend alpine community flowering
Authors: Jabis Meredith D. , Winkler Daniel E. , Kueppers Lara M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractLarge‐scale warming will alter multiple local climate factors in alpine tundra, yet very few experimental studies examine the combined yet distinct influences of earlier snowmelt, higher temperatures and altered soil moisture on alpine ecosystems. This limits our ability to predict responses to climate change by plant species and communities. To address this gap, we used infrared heaters and manual watering in a fully factorial experiment to determine the relative importance of these climate factors on plant flowering phenology, and response differences among plant functional groups. Heating advanced snowmelt and flower initiation, but exposed plants to colder early‐spring conditions in the period prior to first flower, indicating that snowmelt timing, not temperature, advances flowering initiation in the alpine community. Flowering duration was largely conserved; heating did not extend average species flowering into the latter part of the growing season but instead flowering was completed earlier in heated plots. Although passive warming experiments have resulted in warming‐induced soil drying suggested to advance flower senescence, supplemental water did not counteract the average species advance in flowering senescence caused by heating or extend flowering in unheated plots, and variation in soil moisture had inconsistent effects on flowering periods. Functional groups differed in sensitivity to earlier snowmelt, with flower initiation most advanced for early‐season species and flowering duration lengthened only for graminoids and forbs. We conclude that earlier snowmelt, driven by increased radiative heating, is the most important factor altering alpine flowering phenology. Studies that only manipulate summer temperature will err in estimating the sensitivity of alpine flowering phenology to large‐scale warming. The wholesale advance in flowering phenology with earlier snowmelt suggests that alpine communities will track warming, but only alpine forbs and graminoids appear able to take advantage of an extended snow‐free season.
Spironolactone dose in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: findings from TOPCAT
Authors: Ferreira João Pedro , Rossello Xavier , Pocock Stuart J. , Rossignol Patrick , Claggett Brian L. , Rouleau Jean‐Lucien , Solomon Scott D. , Pitt Bertram , Pfeffer Marc A. , Zannad Faiez 
Published: May 2020

AimsSpironolactone up‐titration may be limited by side effects that could be minimized at lower than target doses, but whether lower than target doses remain efficacious is unknown. In TOPCAT, spironolactone (or placebo) were started at 15 mg/day, and increased up to a maximum of 45 mg/day. The prognostic implications related to spironolactone dose are yet to be reported. We aimed to assess the average spironolactone/placebo doses provided during the trial, overall and within high‐risk subgroups (e.g. elderly, renal dysfunction, high potassium); discontinuation rates; and the efficacy of lower than target doses in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.Methods and resultsOverall, 1767 patients from ‘TOPCAT‐Americas’ were included. Linear, logistic and Cox regressions were applied. Patients randomized to spironolactone received lower doses than placebo: 22.5 (15.0–27.5) mg/day vs. 27.5 (17.5–27.5) mg/day (P < 0.001). Patients aged ≥75 years, with an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and with potassium levels >4.5 mmol/L, received lower spironolactone doses (median ≈ 20 mg/day). This pattern of dose differences was not observed in patients taking placebo, where the between‐subgroup placebo doses were similar (spironolactone–placebo by subgroup Pinteraction < 0.05). Among patients taking spironolactone, 25.4% discontinued the drug during the first year, compared with 18.3% of the patients taking placebo (P < 0.001). Discontinuation rates in the aforementioned high‐risk subgroups reached 30% during the first year. Spironolactone reduced the primary outcome of heart failure hospitalization/cardiovascular death without significant heterogeneity between the study subgroups (Pinteraction > 0.1). Spironolactone discontinuation was associated with a two to fourfold higher risk of subsequent events.ConclusionSpironolactone (but not placebo) was used at lower doses among the elderly, those with renal dysfunction and with higher potassium levels. The effect of spironolactone was homogeneous across these subgroups. In patients unable to tolerate target doses, a low‐dose strategy should be preferred to stopping treatment.
Power, identity, and belonging: A mixed‐methods study of the processes shaping perceptions of EU integration in a prospective member state
Authors: Obradović Sandra , Sheehy‐Skeffington Jennifer 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWhat is at stake, psychologically, when a nation considers joining a supranational body such as the European Union? This article addresses this question from the perspective of power, identity, and belonging vis‐à‐vis superordinate groups. Taking a mixed‐methods approach, using focus group (N = 67) and survey (N = 1,192) data, we explore the psychosocial dynamics that shape perceptions of European Union (EU) integration in a prospective member state, Serbia. Findings from the qualitative study highlighted the role of power imbalances in triggering concerns of compatibility in the present, and in shaping the expected consequences for national identity continuity in an EU future. The survey functioned to explore these relationships further, enabling the testing of two moderated mediation models. The first showed that perceptions of national powerlessness predicted lower perceptions that Serbia was representative of Europe, and this was associated with weaker identification as European. In the second model, perceptions of the EU as a hierarchy‐enhancing union predicted heightened fears of Serbian identity discontinuity in an EU future, which in turn had downstream consequences for support for working toward EU accession. Both indirect pathways were stronger among high national identifiers, yielding insight into when national and supranational identification can work in harmony. This mixed‐methods study sheds light on the importance of social psychological processes concerning hierarchy and groups in understanding citizens’ attitudes toward prospective large‐scale political change.
Evaluation of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Response in LMH 3D Spheroids
Authors: Sharin Tasnia , Crump Doug , O'Brien Jason M. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
In the present study, we investigated whether the immortalized chicken hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, leghorn male hepatoma (LMH), had a comparable aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) response to primary chicken embryonic hepatocytes (CEHs) when used in a well-established assay for chemical screening and prioritization. The LMH cells were grown as 2-dimensional (2D) confluent cells and 3D spheroids to determine the optimal cell culture states for chemical screening. Cytochrome P450 1A4 and 1A5 (CYP1A) activity and gene expression were compared between CEHs and LMH cells grown in 2 culture states following exposure to the dioxin-like compound 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-126). The CYP1A activity was measured using the ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) assay, and changes in mRNA expression associated with the AhR pathway were determined using a custom-designed polymerase chain reaction array. Among LMH cell culture states (i.e., 2D vs 3D), EROD induction was observed only in 3D LMH spheroids. Similarly, 3D spheroids had the greatest number of changes in AhR-related genes compared with confluent cells. Overall, these results suggest that LMH cells grown as 3D spheroids have a metabolic and gene expression profile that is comparable to that of CEH, and may represent a suitable animal-free alternative for in vitro screening of chemicals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1693–1701. © 2020 SETAC
Abstract
Comparison of cell viability, cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A metabolic activity, CYP1A4 and 1A5 messenger (m)RNA expression, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) mediated gene expression between leghorn male hepatoma cells grown as 2D and 3D cells following exposure to 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-126). EROD = ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase.
Influence of supercritical fluid extraction parameters in preparation of black chokeberry extracts on total phenolic content and cellular viability
Authors: Wenzel Jonathan , Wang Lihua , Horcasitas Sebastian , Warburton Alyssa , Constine Scott , Kjellson Anna , Cussans Kirsten , Ammerman Michelle , Samaniego Cheryl S. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBlack chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa), deciduous shrubs of the Rosaceae family, are native to northeastern North America. Chokeberry fruits are cultivated to make jellies, juices, and wines. Black chokeberry pulp is rich in phenolics and other antioxidants and exhibits potential for health and food packaging benefits. Chokeberries’ in vitro antioxidant activity is among the highest values of all berries, though chokeberry extraction techniques frequently employ environmentally unfavorable solvents or are time‐inefficient. Batch extraction of antioxidants from chokeberry pomace using supercritical carbon dioxide with an ethanol modifier was used to examine the effects of plant loading, pressure, temperature, and percent ethanol by weight. Effects on total phenolic content (TPC) and the optimal conditions for extractions within these ranges are reported. Multivariate analyses reveal the following relationships of extraction conditions upon TPC: Temperature is directly proportional, percent ethanol by weight is inversely proportional, and chokeberry loads can be increased to enhance antioxidant activity, though not through a linear relationship. In studies involving 0.5 g plant load, the conditions 24.9MPa, 68°C, 90wt‐% CO2, and 10wt‐% ethanol generated the highest TPC value, 3.42 ± 0.20 mg gallic acid equivalents/gram chokeberry. Chokeberry extracts displayed antiproliferative effects on the SKBr3 breast cancer line and the 52KO MEF line, although TPC was not predictive of cellular responses. HPLC‐MS data suggest cyanidin hexose and cyanidin pentose compounds as well as quercetin deoxyhexose–hexose as components of the more favorable extraction product that reflected a significant decrease in viability for the extract in comparison with ethanol control in the SKBr3 breast cancer line.
Effect of the nanoencapsulated sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) extract with carboxymethylcellulose on quality and shelf life of chicken nugget
Authors: Bahrami Feridoni Sahba , Khademi Shurmasti Dariush 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn this study, the antioxidant properties of sour tea extract (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) were investigated in both free and nanoencapsulated forms to increase the quality and shelf life of chicken nugget during a 9‐day refrigerated storage period. For this purpose, the extract was prepared using ultrasound and quantities of phenolic and anthocyanin compounds, and antioxidant properties (DPPH free radical scavenging, FRAP) of extract was examined. The results showed that the value of phenolic compounds and anthocyanin compounds were 626.57 mg/g gallic acid and 379.11 µg/ml, respectively, and the extract had high antioxidant activity. Maltodextrin‐whey protein concentrate was used for nanoencapsulation of the extract. Then, to investigate the effect of sour tea extract (free and nanoencapsulated forms) with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) on quality and shelf life of chicken nugget, five treatments, including T1: control, T2: CMC, T3: CMC +1,000 ppm extract, T4: CMC +1,000 ppm nano extract; and T5: CMC +TBHQ, were prepared. First, physicochemical properties of nugget were measured. The results showed that CMC and sour tea extract reduced oil uptake, moisture content, frying percentage, frying efficiency, and soft texture of fried chicken nugget, and overall the best results were observed in CMC treatment with both extract and nano‐extract (p < .05). Then, peroxide value (PV), total volatile nitrogen base (TVB‐N), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and sensory indexes were evaluated in treatments stored at refrigerator for 9 days. The results showed that sour tea extract has antioxidant properties and coating of extract increased its antioxidant properties as nugget containing 1,000 ppm the nanoencapsulated sour tea extract with CMC delayed oxidative spoilage and organoleptic changes of chicken nugget (p < .05). Therefore, it seems that the nanoencapsulated sour tea extract with CMC can be used as a natural preservative in meat and meat products.
HBV‐RNA Co‐amplification May Influence HBV DNA Viral Load Determination
Authors: Maasoumy Benjamin , Geretti Anna Maria , Frontzek André , Austin Harrison , Aretzweiler Gudrun , Garcia‐Álvarez Monica , Leuchter Susanne , Simon Christian O. , Marins Ed G. , Canchola Jesse A. , Cornberg Markus , Delgado Rafael , Wedemeyer Heiner 
Published: May 2020

Despite effective hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐DNA suppression, HBV RNA can circulate in patients receiving nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs). Current assays quantify HBV DNA by either real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which uses DNA polymerase, or transcription‐mediated amplification, which uses reverse‐transcriptase (RT) and RNA polymerase. We assessed the effect of RT capability on HBV‐DNA quantification in samples from three cohorts, including patients with quantified HBV RNA. We compared the HBV‐DNA levels by real‐time PCR (cobas HBV, Roche 6800/8800; Xpert HBV, Cepheid), transcription‐mediated amplification (Aptima HBV, Hologic), and real‐time PCR with added RT capability (cobas HBV+RT). In the first cohort (n = 45) followed over 192 weeks of NA therapy, on‐treatment HBV‐DNA levels were higher with cobas HBV+RT than cobas HBV (mean difference: 0.14 log10 IU/mL). In a second cohort (n = 50) followed over 96 weeks of NA therapy, HBV‐DNA viral load was significantly higher with the cobas HBV+RT and Aptima HBV compared with the cobas HBV test at all time points after initiation of NA therapy (mean difference: 0.65‐1.16 log10 IU/mL). A clinically significant difference was not detected between the assays at baseline. In a third cohort (n = 53), after a median of 2.2 years of NA therapy, we detected HBV RNA (median 5.6 log10 copies/mL) in 23 patients (43.4%). Median HBV‐DNA levels by Aptima HBV were 2.4 versus less than 1 log10 IU/mL in samples with HBV RNA and without HBV RNA, respectively (P = 0.0006). In treated patients with HBV RNA, Aptima HBV measured higher HBV‐DNA levels than Xpert HBV and cobas HBV. Conclusion: Tests including an RT step may overestimate HBV DNA, particularly in samples with low viral loads as a result of NA therapy. This overestimation is likely due to amplification of HBV RNA and may have an impact on clinical decisions.
The effect of mixed nanoadditive‐blended diesel–water emulsion on the performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of a DI diesel engine
Authors: Rajammagari Hussain Vali , Mohmad Marouf Wani 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe present paper examines the impact of mixed nanoadditive (Al2O3 and ZnO) incorporated diesel–water emulsion on the combustion, performance, and emission of a single‐cylinder diesel engine under varying load conditions. The test fuels consist of constant fuel ratio of 88% diesel, 10% water, and 2% surfactant. Also, different concentrations of mixed nanoadditives—50 ppm, 100 ppm, and 150 ppm—are added to the test fuel. The ultrasonicator bath is employed for agitation or stirring of test fuels. The test results indicate that the mixed nanoadditives in diesel–water emulsion improve combustion characteristics, brake thermal efficiency, and brake‐specific fuel consumption, whereas the maximum improvement is achieved at full load. It is also determined from the test results that the nanoadditive‐blended test fuel showed a noticeable decrement in CO, NOx, and hydrocarbon emissions as compared with neat diesel. The optimum results are obtained for D88S2W10ZA150 blend. Owing to the higher surface‐to‐volume ratio, enhanced atomization rate, high catalytic behavior, and shortened ignition delay are possible reasons to improve diesel engine working characteristics.