bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization and digestogram modeling of modified elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) starch using ultrasonic pretreated autoclaving
Authors: Barua Sreejani , Tudu Karan , Rakshit Madhulekha , Srivastav Prem Prakash 
Published: August 2021

AbstractNative elephant foot yam starch (EFYS) is highly digestible, and it is not recommendable for consumption by diabetic and obese people. To address this problem, the current study focuses on the amendments in various properties (such as functional properties, whiteness index, amylose content, morphology, and digestion) of EFYS using ultrasonication (US) and US pretreated autoclave (AL) modification with varied time viz. 15, 30, and 45 min. Both the treatments enhanced the water absorption, swelling power, and solubility of EFYS. US‐assisted AL treatment was responsible for increasing the resistant starch (RS) fraction and the highest increment was observed in US‐AL45 EFYS (39.13 ± 1.19 %) as compared to the native counterpart (30.65 ± 1.06 %). Molecular aggregations were observed in all US‐AL EFYS, whereas US treatment broke the agglomerations and increased the intergranular spaces. FTIR analysis revealed the highest increase in ordered to amorphous starch (1047/1022 cm−1) in US‐AL45 EFYS followed by native and others modified EFYS. The highest increase in amylose content was notable in US‐AL45 (10.02 ± 0.08 %) as compared to other native and others treated EFYS. To understand the kinetic behavior of the native and modified EFYS, first‐order kinetics, Michaelis–Menten, Paolucci Jeanjean, Logistic, and Weibull models were applied. The digestogram models highlighted the highest digestibility in native EFYS, preceded by US, US‐AL 15, US‐AL 30, and US‐AL 45 EFYS. US‐AL 45 EFYS showed the highest change in all the functional properties as compared to native and other modified EFYS.Practical applicationsOwing to the prevalent lifestyle diseases, a continuous evolution in nutritional behaviors has emerged. Although starch imparts consistency and quality to the commercial food products, its high digestibility results in harmful effects to diabetic and obese patients. Elephant foot yam is considered as a unique source of starch and its modification leads to a decrease in enzyme hydrolysis while making it health beneficial. Ultrasonic pretreated autoclaving is one such potential physical modification treatment which can facilitate toward decrease in enzyme digestibility of elephant foot yam starch (EFYS), yet enhancing its swelling properties that in turn leads to the growth of functional food processing industry. The findings of the study highlight the enzyme digestogram modeling of US and US‐AL modified EFYS in order to shed light on the mechanism that regulates them.
The carbon footprint of capital formation: An empirical analysis on its relationship with a country's income growth
Authors: Kobayakawa Toru 
Published: August 2021

AbstractInfrastructure development, often referred to as fixed capital formation, is imperative for developing countries not only to provide essential services but also to drive their economic activities. Capital investments, on the other hand, have been accused of expediting resource depletion and environmental degradation, including climate change, because infrastructure construction requires significant amounts of resource and energy inputs that inevitably accompany carbon dioxide emissions. Considering that the upscaling of Western‐type infrastructure stocks to the global level may easily compromise the 2°C target under the Paris Agreement, it is crucial to understand how capital formation by developing countries affects their carbon footprint (CF) and explore ways to avoid its excessive accumulation. This study aims to empirically find out how CF from capital formation evolves along various countries' development pathways by employing the multi‐regional input–output model with a particular focus on the gross fixed capital formation as the final‐demand category. It also aims to identify well‐performing countries that make growth with fewer CFs from capital formation and assess the reasons behind it through structural decomposition analysis. It has been found that the developing countries that invested in more carbon‐intensive capital formation achieved faster economic growth. In order to pursue carbon‐neutral growth globally, these countries need to lower their CFs through the proactive improvement of their emission coefficient and energy efficiencies. Proper environmental space for CF accumulation needs to be left for the low‐income developing countries to make investments for their future capital formation and income growth.
Capital concentration in and through class differentiation: A case study from Pampean agribusiness
Authors: Bernhold Christin , Palmisano Tomás 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe National Agricultural Census (NAC) held in Argentina in 2018 shows that the concentration and centralization of agrarian capital in this country's heartland of grain and oilseed production is an ongoing process. An extensive academic literature has attributed this trend to the dynamics of capitalist development in agriculture in general and to Argentina's political economy in particular. Tying into these discussions and based on a case study, this paper argues that an analysis of how the growth of large corporations works in and through class differentiation helps to further explain the dynamics of concentration and centralization. This includes (i) examining the strategies of big companies to diversify capital functions across various value chain links and (ii) elucidating how they have established particular relations to smaller capitals, intermediate classes, and workers, as well as the related patterns of exploitation and appropriation of surplus value.
Mathematical Tooth Proportions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Akl Mohammed A. , Mansour Dina E. , Mays Keith , Wee Alvin G. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this systematic review was to evaluate and compare three commonly used proportions that include the golden proportion, golden percentage, and Recurring Esthetic Dental (RED) proportion to identify which of the mathematical formulas, if any, can be used to provide predictable and repeatable esthetic clinical outcomes.MethodsA comprehensive search of electronic databases that included EBSCO, ProQuest, SCOPUS, Science Direct, Wiley, Google Scholar and PubMed was conducted using the terms: “golden proportion,” “golden percentage,” and “Recurring Esthetic Dental (RED) proportions” alone or in concurrence with one or both ensuing terms: “tooth proportions” and “esthetic tooth proportions.” In addition, the following journals were hand searched for relevant articles: Journal of Prosthodontics, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry and Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry. Related citations were also considered.ResultsTooth proportions varied substantially in the natural dentition. No studies revealed findings that supported the use of one mathematical formula to predict esthetic success. The golden proportion is present between the central to lateral incisor in some cases, but rarely between the lateral incisor and the canine. When compared to the other proportions, the golden percentage provided better starting points for tooth shape and size, but only when values were adjusted to consider other factors such as ethnicity and/or facial proportions.ConclusionMathematical formulas did not provide consistent results that would allow for their use as a standardized guide for esthetically pleasing smiles. Although the golden percentage may be a good starting point if the percentages are adjusted on a case‐by‐case basis, generalized esthetic ideals cannot be determined by a mathematical formula and are open to interpretation by both the clinician and the patient.
A comparative time‐dependent study of hematology, serum gastrin concentrations, and gastroscopic assessment of meloxicam‐induced gastric ulceration in dogs
Authors: Elfadadny Ahmed , Mandour Ahmed S. , Ragab Rokaia F. , Alsharif Khalaf F. , Batiha Gaber El‐Saber , Samir Haney , Beder Noha A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundDiagnosis of gastric ulcers by methods other than gastroscopy in dogs has been problematic for many years and biomarkers such as serum gastrin (SG) concentrations have been introduced as a noninvasive way to evaluate gastric diseases.ObjectivesTo determine the time course changes in hematology, SG concentrations, and gastroscopic images of meloxicam‐induced gastric ulceration in dogs and identify a relationship between SG and gastroscopic image analysis in a clinical setting.AnimalsFifteen crossbreed dogs.MethodsTwo groups: control (n = 5) and meloxicam‐treated (n = 10). The meloxicam‐treated group received meloxicam 0.2 mg/kg PO for 15 days. Clinical signs, hematology, SG, and image analysis (PI, pixel intensity; ID, integrated density; RA, relative area; and UI, ulcer index) of the gastroscopic examination were evaluated across time (T5, time 5 day; T10, time 10 day; and T15, time 15 day).ResultsSignificant changes were observed among 3 time points and between the 2 groups in terms of SG, hematology, and gastroscopic image analysis. In the meloxicam‐treated group, decreases in hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count and packed cell volume at T10 and T15 (P = .0001) were observed, whereas SG, ID, and UI increased over time (P < .0001). The PI decreased significantly (P = .0001) in the meloxicam‐treated group compared to controls. Significant correlations were found between SG and PI, and ID and ulcer area (r = −0.89, 0.81, 0.64), respectively.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceGastroscopy is the gold standard for early descriptive diagnosis of gastric ulcerations in dogs, and SG is a good indicator for meloxicam‐induced gastric ulcers in dogs and can predict the gastroscopic score of the lesion.
Study and Scale Quality in Second Language Survey Research, 2009–2019: The Case of Anxiety and Motivation
Authors: Sudina Ekaterina 
Published: August 2021

AbstractResearch on anxiety and motivation in second language (L2) learning is proliferating. However, these two individual differences are commonly measured by self‐report questionnaires, the psychometric properties of which have been questioned. Building on previous works on study quality, this methodological synthesis systematically describes and evaluates the state of study and scale quality in L2 anxiety and motivation research. A total of 104 peer‐reviewed articles (113 independent samples) that used 340 L2 anxiety and motivation scales were coded for 84 features targeting: study, survey, and scale designs; participant demographics; scale validity and reliability; and reporting practices associated with transparency. The results show a number of strengths but also reveal multiple areas in need of methodological enhancement. The article concludes by highlighting areas that merit further investigation in the domain of L2 survey research and making recommendations for future studies.
Lack of genotype‐by‐environment interaction suggests limited potential for evolutionary changes in plasticity in the eastern oyster,Crassostrea virginica
Authors: Sirovy Kyle A. , Johnson Kevin M. , Casas Sandra M. , La Peyre Jerome F. , Kelly Morgan W. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractEastern oysters in the northern Gulf of Mexico are facing rapid environmental changes and can respond to this change via plasticity or evolution. Plasticity can act as an immediate buffer against environmental change, but this buffering could impact the organism's ability to evolve in subsequent generations. While plasticity and evolution are not mutually exclusive, the relative contribution and interaction between them remains unclear. In this study, we investigate the roles of plastic and evolved responses to environmental variation andPerkinsus marinusinfection inCrassostrea virginicaby using a common garden experiment with 80 oysters from six families outplanted at two field sites naturally differing in salinity. We use growth data,P. marinusinfection intensities, 3′ RNA sequencing (TagSeq) and low‐coverage whole‐genome sequencing to identify the effect of genotype, environment and genotype‐by‐environment interaction on the oyster's response to site. As one of first studies to characterize the joint effects of genotype and environment on transcriptomic and morphological profiles in a natural setting, we demonstrate thatC. virginicahas a highly plastic response to environment and that this response is parallel among genotypes. We also find that genes responding to genotype have distinct and opposing profiles compared to genes responding to environment with regard to expression levels, Ka/Ks ratios and nucleotide diversity. Our findings suggest thatC. virginicamay be able to buffer the immediate impacts of future environmental changes by altering gene expression and physiology, but the lack of genetic variation in plasticity suggests limited capacity for evolved responses.
Predictors of critical care nurses' stress, anxiety, and depression in response to COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Baraka Azza Abd Elrazek , Ramadan Fatma Hussein , Hassan Eman Arafa 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic directly affects the psychological well‐being of critical care nurses. Several studies had investigated the psychological impact of the pandemic on nurses caring for patients with COVID‐19, but few were conducted to identify the predictors of this impact.AimsThe objective of this study is to identify the predictors of critical care nurses' stress, anxiety, and depression in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic.DesignA cross‐sectional survey was conducted in five intensive care units in five hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt.MethodsAn online questionnaire was distributed. It included socio‐demographic and work‐related data and the depression, anxiety, and stress scale scores of the nurses under study. A multiple linear regression model was developed to identify the predictors of critical care nurses' stress, anxiety, and depression in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic.ResultsTwo hundred (64%) of 308 nurses completed the electronic questionnaire. Significant predictors of stress included the number of infected colleagues (P < .001) and availability of hospital resources (P = .01). Significant predictors of anxiety were age, gender, satisfactory income (P < .001), years of experience, time spent caring for patients with COVID‐19 (P = .04), continuous training, number of infected colleagues (P = .01), and availability of hospital resources (P = .02). Finally, significant predictors of depression included gender, history of physical problems (P = .04), educational attainment, availability of hospital resources, history of psychological problems (P < .001), and number of infected colleagues (P = .001).ConclusionThe hospital's lack of human and physical resources and the number of colleagues infected with COVID‐19 were the strongest predictors of stress, anxiety, and depression among nurses.Relevance to clinical practiceIdentifying the predictors of stress, anxiety, and depression among nurses who care for patients with COVID‐19 is a vital step in developing mental health promotion strategies to support nurses during this pandemic.
Physical and psychosocial comorbidities of pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Seivright Justine R. , Collier Erin , Grogan Tristan , Hogeling Marcia , Shi Vivian Y. , Hsiao Jennifer L. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is understudied in the pediatric population. Adult HS patients are known to have a high comorbidity burden. We aimed to describe physical and psychosocial comorbidities in a cohort of pediatric HS patients.MethodsA retrospective chart review of pediatric HS patients at a single academic institution was conducted. Data on patient demographics, disease characteristics, and physical and psychosocial comorbidities in pediatric patients with HS were collected and analyzed.ResultsSeventy‐three pediatric patients were included in this study, 81% female. Mean (SD) age of HS disease onset was 12.6 (2.9) years. Comorbid conditions were reported in 68 of 73 (93%) patients. Significantly increased rates of several comorbidities were seen in our cohort as compared to the general US pediatric population. Metabolic and endocrine abnormalities were prevalent, with 52% (22/42) patients with obesity and 10% (6/59) with polycystic ovary syndrome. The most common cutaneous comorbidity was acne vulgaris, seen in 37% (27/73) of patients. Over one quarter (21/73, 29%) of patients had either an anxiety or depression disorder. Almost one‐fifth (14/73, 19%) of our cohort had a diagnosis of asthma and other reactive airway diseases. Only one‐third (24/73, 33%) of patients had documentation regarding impact of HS on their daily life. Overall, comorbidities largely did not significantly differ based on race, gender, or disease severity.ConclusionsPediatric patients with HS face a high‐comorbidity burden, especially with psychiatric conditions. Early identification, including routine mental health screening, and management of comorbidities is warranted in the pediatric HS population.
Geographic variation in caesarean delivery in India
Authors: Rodgers Justin , Lee Hwa‐Young , Kim Rockli , Mor Nachiket , Subramanian S. V. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe rate of caesarean delivery has increased markedly both globally and within India. However, there is considerable variation within countries. No previous studies have examined the relative importance of multiple geographic levels in shaping the distribution of caesarean delivery and to what extent they can be explained by individual‐level risk factors.ObjectivesTo describe geographic variation in caesarean delivery and quantify the contribution of individual‐level risk factors to the variation in India.MethodsWe conducted four‐level logistic regression analysis to partition total variation in caesarean delivery to three geographic levels (states, districts and communities) and quantify the extent to which variance at each level was explained by a set of 20 sociodemographic, medical and institutional risk factors. Stratified analyses were conducted by the type of delivery facility (public/private).ResultsOverall prevalence of caesarean delivery was 19.3% in India in 2016. Most geographic variation was attributable to states (44%), followed by communities (32%), and lastly districts (24%). Adjustment for all risk factors explained 44%, 52% and 46% of variance for states, districts and communities, respectively. The proportion explained by individual risk factors was larger in public facilities than in private facilities at all three levels. A substantial proportion of between‐population variation still existed even after clustering of individual risk factors was comprehensively adjusted for.ConclusionsDiverse contextual factors driving high or low rate of caesarean delivery at each geographic level should be explored in future studies so that tailored intervention can be implemented to reduce the overall variation in caesarean delivery.
Fungal diseases: Oral dysbiosis in susceptible hosts
Authors: Villar Cristina Cunha , Dongari‐Bagtzoglou Anna 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe oral cavity is colonized by a large number of microorganisms that are referred to collectively as the oral microbiota. These indigenous microorganisms have evolved in symbiotic relationships with the oral mucosal immune system and are involved in maintaining homeostasis in the oral cavity. Although Candida species are commonly found in the healthy oral cavity without causing infection, these fungi can become pathogenic. Recents advances indicate that the development of oral candidiasis is driven both by Candida albicans overgrowth in a dysbiotic microbiome and by disturbances in the host's immune system. Perturbation of the oral microbiota triggered by host‐extrinsic (ie, medications), host‐intrinsic (ie, host genetics), and microbiome‐intrinsic (ie, microbial interactions) factors may increase the risk of oral candidiasis. In this review, we provide an overview of the oral mycobiome, with a particular focus on the interactions of Candida albicans with some of the most common oral bacteria and the oral mucosal immune system. Also, we present a summary of our current knowledge of the host‐intrinsic and host‐extrinsic factors that can predispose to oral candidiasis.
The human oral virome: Shedding light on the dark matter
Authors: Martínez April , Kuraji Ryutaro , Kapila Yvonne L. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMediators of the initiation, development, and recurrence of periodontitis include the oral microbiome embedded in subgingival plaque and the host immune response to a dysbiosis within this dynamic and complex microbial community. Although mediators have been studied extensively, researchers in the field have been unable to fully ascribe certain clinical presentations of periodontitis to their nature. Emergence of high‐throughput sequencing technologies has resulted in better characterization of the microbial oral dysbiosis that extends beyond the extensively studied putative bacterial periodontopathogens to a shift in the oral virome composition during disease conditions. Although the biological dark matter inserted by retroviruses was once believed to be nonfunctional, research has revealed that it encodes historical viral‐eukaryotic interactions and influences host development. The objective of this review is to evaluate the proposed association of herpesviruses to the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal disease and survey the highly abundant prokaryotic viruses to delineate their potential roles in biofilm dynamics, as well as their interactions with putative bacterial periodontopathogens and eukaryotic cells. The findings suggest that potential novel periodontal therapies targeting or utilizing the oral virome can alleviate certain clinical presentations of periodontitis. Perhaps it is time to embrace the viral dark matter within the periodontal environment to fully comprehend the pathogenesis and systemic implications of periodontitis.
Impact of calorie restriction and intermittent fasting on periodontal health
Authors: Parveen Sameena 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe scientific evidence indicates that calorie restriction and intermittent fasting are among the appropriate strategies targeting factual causative factors of various inflammatory and lifestyle‐related disorders. Periodontitis is a common oral inflammatory disease leading to bone loss that is associated with various systemic problems. Previous studies suggest that calorie restriction may dampen inflammation and concomitant tissue damage under inflammatory conditions, such as periodontal diseases in nonhuman primates. However, insufficient research has been carried out to assess the effects of a calorie‐restricted diet on the initiation and progression of periodontal disease in humans. This review of the literature aims to describe the general concepts of calorie restriction, its clinical implications, and related therapeutic potential in controlling periodontal inflammation. The review shows that fasting regimen groups have shown lesser bone loss because of an increase in osteoprogenitor cells than non‐fasting groups. Calorie restriction dampens the inflammatory response and reduces circulating inflammatory mediators like tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, interleukin‐6, matrix metalloproteinase‐8, matrix metalloproteinase‐9, and interleukin‐1‐beta in gingival crevicular fluid. However, the incorporation of this form of dietary intervention continues to be challenging in our current society, in which obesity is a major public concern. Calorie restriction and intermittent fasting can play a key role in the cost‐effective resolution of periodontal inflammation as a primary prevention strategy for the management of chronic inflammatory diseases, including periodontal diseases.