bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determination of changes in physicochemical and sensory characteristics of purple passion fruit with the application of different packaging systems, including an ethylene scavenger additive
Authors: Ballesteros Shannon , Salamanca Mayerly C. , Sierra Cesar A. , Palomeque Liliam A. , Castellanos Diego A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTo achieve a suitable packaging configuration, it is important first to determine the physicochemical characteristics related to the packaged product. In this study, the physicochemical characterization of fresh purple passion fruits of three different ripening stages was carried out to determine key variables for the packaging, such as O2 consumption and CO2–ethylene production rates. Subsequently, intermediate‐ripe fruits were packaged for 21 days at 6 °C under three packaging conditions: Xtend® perforated bags, low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) bags, and LDPE bags with a novel ethylene scavenger active additive (ESAA). It was observed that an equilibrium modified atmosphere was formed in the packages. For the Xtend® bags, the highest values of O2 (yo2 = 0.184 to 0.192) and lowest of CO2 (yco2 = 0.033 to 0.041) were reached, whereas for the LDPE bags with ESAA these values were moderate. In the case of ethylene, the LDPE bags showed the highest levels in the headspace (26 to 31 ppm), whereas the lowest levels were obtained in the LDPE bags with additive (2 to 4 ppm). These levels resulted in a delay in the ripening of the fruits during storage, which was verified through a sensory acceptability test that was carried out on the juice extracted from the fruits. In this sensory test, panelists identified similar characteristics between the fruits packaged with ESAA and the Xtend® bags, regarding the control fruits. The LDPE bags with the ethylene scavenger performed satisfactorily and can considerably delay the ripening, which may result in longer shelf life and conservation of fresh purple passion fruits.Practical ApplicationThis work presents a novel packaging proposal that reduces oxygen and ethylene levels in contact with purple passion fruits. Our proposed active packaging can be used to increase the fruit shelf life by improving its conservation conditions throughout the chain of storage, transport, and distribution in the market. With this, it will be possible to reduce the fruit's losses due to senescence and to reduce the substrate consumption by using a more effective packaging system.
Mulberry leaf phenolics and fiber exert anti‐obesity through the gut microbiota‐host metabolism pathway
Authors: Liao Sentai , Long Xiaoshan , Zou Yuxiao , Liu Fan , Li Qian 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe effect of mulberry leaf powder and components on preventing obesity and regulating lipid metabolism were investigated in the present study. The mechanism of action was explored by examining the gut microbiota and lipid metabolism‐related signaling pathways. As evidenced by the nutritional obesity rats model experiments, the middle concentration mulberry leaf powder (MLP) group (0.8 g/kg·d) significantly reduced Lee's index (25.1, compared with model control group [MC] 25.7) and had the strongest lipid metabolism regulation effect. Furthermore, the suppression effects of different mulberry leaf components on nutritional obesity were compared and the mulberry leaf phenolics and fiber mixture (Mulberry leaf mixture [MLM]) group (0.6 g/kg·d) was found to have the strongest efficacy (body weight [BW] reduced 12.4%). Real time PCR (RT‐qPCR) and western blot analyses demonstrated that MLP (0.8 g/kg·d) and its components inhibited adipocyte differentiation and triglyceride synthesis through the PPAR‐γ‐ C/EBP‐α signaling pathway, resulting in lipid metabolism regulation. Gut microbiota analysis indicated that MLM (0.6 g/kg·d) prevented the reduction in intestinal flora diversity (reach 491 species) caused by high‐energy feed, and reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (to 7.99%) and the obesity associated flora, Lachnospiraceae (to 19.1%), whereas it improved the content of the beneficial flora, Lactobacilli, Lactobacillus_johnsonii (reach 11.77%). MLM improved the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of the two functional components (phenolics and fiber) and maximized the anti‐obesity effect through the gut microbiota‐host metabolism pathway.Practical ApplicationThe anti‐obesity and lipid metabolism regulation effect of mulberry leaf components were evaluated in this study. The fiber and phenolics of this plant have the potential for development of weight‐loss functional foods.
Mesozoic–Cenozoic Tectonic Evolution and Uplift in Pamir: Application of Fission Track Thermochronology
Authors: FAN Baocheng , LIU Mingyi , HE Zixin , MENG Guanglu , WU Huanhuan , LI Lu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe Pamir Plateau can be divided into three secondary tectonic units from north to south: the North, the Middle and the South Pamir Blocks. The North Pamir Block belonged to the southern margin of Tarim‐Karakum, thermochronological study of the Pamir structural intersection indicates that accretion of the Middle Pamir Block to the Eurasian Continental Margin and its subduction and collision with the North Pamir Block occurred in the Middle–Late Jurassic. Due to the Neo‐Tethys closure in the Early Cretaceous, the South Pamir Block began to collide with the accretion (the Middle Pamir Block) of the Eurasian Continental Margin. Affected by the collision and continuous convergence between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate since the Cenozoic, Pamir is in a multi‐stage differential uplift process. During 56.1–48.5 Ma, North Pamir took the lead in uplifting, that is, the first rapid uplift in the Pamir region began there. The continuous compression and contraction of the Indian and Eurasian plates during 22.0–15.1 Ma forced the Pamir tectonic syntaxis to begin its overall uplift, i.e. Pamir began to enter the second rapid uplift stage in the Early Oligocene, which lasted until the Middle Miocene. During 14.6–8.5Ma, South Pamir was in a rapid uplift stage, while North Pamir was in a relatively stable state, showing asymmetry of tectonic deformation in the Pamir region in space. Since 6.5 Ma, Pamir began to rapidly uplift again.
Relationship between Thermal Metamorphism of Coal and the Periodic Variation Law of Geochemical Behavior of Elements: A Study on the C2 Coal Seam in the Fengfeng Mining Area of the Handan Coalfield in Hebei, China
Authors: YANG Jianye , QIN Shenjun , ZHANG Weiguo , LIU Shande , XU Fei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study highlights the response of the periodic variation of the geochemical behavior of elements to the thermal metamorphism of coal by considering the differentiation mode and differentiation degree of elements of the C2 coal seam in the Fengfeng mining area of the Handan Coalfield in Hebei, China. The periodic variation of the geochemical behavior of elements was observed to change towards a certain direction as the degree of metamorphism of a geological body increased. Based on the coincidence degree (or similarity degree) between the geochemical behavior of elements and periodic variation of elements, the 57 elements in this study were divided into two levels. The periodic variation of the geochemical behavior of first‐level elements was largely synchronous with that of their first ionization energy, suggesting that only one differentiation mode exists and the elements are mainly inorganically associated. The differentiation mode of the second‐level elements deviated to a certain extent from their first ionization energy; the larger the deviation, the more complicated and diverse was the differentiation mode. Among the second‐level elements, the grade of coal metamorphism has evident and intuitive effects on the proportion of elements with particular structural features, such as the 4q+3 type of elements and the odd‐odd elements. In addition, the distribution of elements in organic and inorganic matter within coal are subject to the structural features of the elements. The differentiation mode and differentiation intensity of elements could be characterized by the hierarchical parameter and differentiation intensity. The hierarchical parameter and differentiation intensity of certain elements showed a good positive or negative correlation with Rmax in coal. The 57 elements in this study were quantitatively ordered according to the degree of magmatic hydrothermal fluid influence and thermal metamorphism of coal through graphs depicting the goodness of fit, correlation coefficient with Rmax, and differentiation intensity. The results of this study are consistent with the results of previous field research, illustrating the scientific significance and application value of this study on the periodic variation of the geochemical behavior of elements.
Final‐stage Southward Subduction of the Eastern Paleo‐Asian Ocean: Evidence from the Middle Permian Mafic Intrusions in the Northern Margin of the North China Craton
Authors: JING Yan , GE Wenchun , DONG Yu , YANG Hao , JI Zheng , BI Junhui , ZHOU Hongying , XING Dehe 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) contains widespread Permian magmatic rocks, but the origin of these rocks remains controversial. This uncertainty hampers us from better understanding of tectonic framework and evolution of the eastern Paleo‐Asian Ocean, particularly with respect to its final‐stage subduction and closure time. To address these questions, this study presents petrological, zircon U‐Pb geochronological, whole‐rock geochemical and in situ zircon Hf isotopic data for these Permian mafic intrusions in the northern margin of the NCC. Precise zircon U‐Pb dating results indicate that these mafic intrusions were emplaced in the Middle Permian (ca. 260 Ma). Geochemically, the studied mafic intrusions have high MgO and transition metals element contents, with high Mg# values, indicating a mantle origin. These mafic intrusions are characterized by enrichments in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs; e.g., Rb, Ba, and K) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), and depletions in high field strength elements (HFSEs; e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), indicating that they were formed in a subduction‐related setting. These geochemical features, together with zircon ∊Hf(t) values (–1.1 to +11.2), indicate that their parental magmas were derived from partial melting of heterogeneous mantle wedge metasomatized by subduction‐related fluids, with the contributions of slab sediments. The studied mafic intrusions also show wide range of major and trace elements contents, and variable Mg# values, Eu and Sr anomalies, suggesting that their parental magmas had undergone variable degrees of fractional crystallization. Together with the E–W trending Permian continental arc along the northern margin of the NCC, we confirm that the generation of the Middle Permian mafic intrusions was related to southward subduction of the Paleo‐Asian oceanic lithosphere beneath the NCC and the Paleo‐Asian Ocean had not closed prior to the Middle Permian.
Mergers and marginal costs: New evidence on hospital buyer power
Authors: Craig Stuart V. , Grennan Matthew , Swanson Ashley 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe estimate the effects of hospital mergers, using detailed data containing medical supply transactions (representing 23% of operating costs) from a sample of US hospitals, 2009–2015. Pre‐merger price variation across hospitals (Gini coefficient 7%) suggests significant opportunities for cost decreases. However, we observe limited evidence of actual savings. In this retrospective study, targets realized 1.9% savings; acquirers realized no significant savings. Examining treatment effect heterogeneity to shed light on theories of “buyer power,” we find that savings, when they occur, tend to be local, and potential benefits of savings may be offset by managerial costs of merging.
Filling a gap in standardized nursing terminology. Development of a new nursing diagnosis proposal on heart failure self‐care
Authors: Sanson Gianfranco , Vellone Ercole , Takao‐Lopes Camila , Barrientos‐Trigo Sergio , Porcel‐Gálvez Ana María , Riegel Barbara , D'Agostino Fabio 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPurposeHeart failure is a highly prevalent chronic health problem associated with poor quality‐of‐life and negative outcomes. Self‐care is a cornerstone in patients suffering from heart failure. Nurses are commonly engaged in enhancing patients’ self‐care behaviors, but the specific condition of deficit on self‐care is not clearly identified by nurses. No nursing diagnoses focused on self‐care of heart failure patients is currently available. This study aimed to develop a new nursing diagnosis that focuses on self‐care in heart failure patients.Data sourcesA concept and content analysis were used. Some steps of the concept analysis were performed through an integrative literature review conducted searching in PUBMED and CINAHL databases to identify attributes, antecedents, and consequences of the diagnosis. Forty‐five articles were selected from the 1450 studies found. Then, the content analysis was performed by an international panel of 29 experts. Two Delphi rounds were used to achieve consensus and an item content validity index was calculated for each diagnostic element.Data synthesisIntegrative review proposed four diagnostic labels, two definitions, 15 defining characteristics, and 44 related factors. After the two Delphi rounds a consensus was reached for each diagnostic indicator with a content validity index ranging from 82.8% to 100%. The nursing diagnosis—labeled heart failure self‐care deficit—was validated with a definition, eight defining characteristics, 15 related factors, and five at‐risk populations.ConclusionsThis diagnosis allows nurses to document patients’ self‐care in daily clinical practice through a standard nursing terminology, by naming this health problem, describing its etiology, and clinical manifestations.Implications for nursing practiceThis new diagnosis is expected to assist nursing clinicians, educators, and students in clinical reasoning with the aim to improve diagnostic accuracy in identifying patients with a heart failure self‐care deficit, to select the most appropriate interventions and pursue better outcomes.
The association of ketamine induction with blood pressure changes in paramedic rapid sequence intubation of out‐of‐hospital traumatic brain injury
Authors: Fouche Pieter F. , Meadley Ben , St Clair Toby , Winnall Alison , Jennings Paul A. , Bernard Stephen , Smith Karen 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionRapid sequence intubation (RSI) is used to secure the airway of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, with ketamine frequently used for induction. Studies show that ketamine‐induction RSI might cause lower blood pressures when compared to etomidate. It is not clear if the results from that research can be extrapolated to systems that use different dosing regimens for ketamine RSI. Ambulance Victoria authorized the use of 1.5 mg/kg ketamine in January 2015 for head injury RSI induction by road‐based paramedics. This study aims to examine whether systolic blood pressure changed when ketamine was introduced for prehospital head injury RSI.MethodsThis study was a retrospective analysis of out‐of‐hospital suspected TBI that received RSI by paramedics. Our analysis employs an interrupted time‐series analysis (ITSA), which is a quasi‐experimental method that tested whether hypotension and systolic blood pressures changed after the switch to ketamine induction in 2015. This ITSA utilized an ordinary least squares regression on complete observations using Newey–West standard errors.ResultsDuring the study period, paramedics performed RSI in 8,613 patients, and 1,759 (20.4%) had a TBI. Ketamine usage increased by 52.7% in January 2015 (p < 0.001) after road‐based paramedics were authorized to use ketamine induction. This analysis found significant 5% increase in post‐RSI hypotension (p = 0.046) after the introduction of ketamine, and thereafter the incidence of post‐RSI hypotension increased steadily by 0.5% every 3 months (p = 0.004). Concurrently, changes in systolic blood pressure, as measured by the interval just before induction to the last measured on scene, show an average decrease of 7.8 mm Hg (p = 0.04) at the start of 2015 with the ketamine rollout.ConclusionsThis ITSA shows that postinduction hypotension and also decreases in systolic blood pressures became evident after the introduction of ketamine. Further research to investigate the association between ketamine induction and survival is needed.
Cytisine versus varenicline for smoking cessation in New Zealand indigenous Māori: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Walker Natalie , Smith Barry , Barnes Joanne , Verbiest Marjolein , Parag Varsha , Pokhrel Subhash , Wharakura Mary‐Kaye , Lees Tina , Cubillos Gutierrez Huber , Jones Brian , Bullen Christopher 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimTo determine whether cytisine was at least as effective as varenicline in supporting smoking abstinence for ≥ 6 months in New Zealand indigenous Māori or whānau (extended‐family) of Māori, given the high smoking prevalence in this population.DesignPragmatic, open‐label, randomized, community‐based non‐inferiority trial.SettingBay of Plenty, Tokoroa and Lakes District Health Board regions of New Zealand.ParticipantsAdult daily smokers who identified as Māori or whānau of Māori, were motivated to quit in the next 2 weeks, were aged ≥ 18 years and were eligible for subsidized varenicline. Recruitment used multi‐media advertising.InterventionsA total of 679 people were randomly assigned (1 : 1) to receive a prescription for 12 weeks of cytisine or varenicline, plus low‐intensity cessation behavioural support from the prescribing doctor and community stop‐smoking services or a research assistant. Day 5 of treatment was the designated quit date.MeasurementsThe primary outcome was carbon monoxide‐verified continuous abstinence at 6 months, analysed as intention‐to‐treat (with multiple imputation for missing data). Secondary outcomes measured at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post‐quit date included: self‐reported continuous abstinence, 7‐day point prevalence abstinence, cigarettes per day, time to (re)lapse, adverse events, treatment adherence/compliance and acceptability, nicotine withdrawal/urge to smoke and health‐care utilization/health‐related quality of life.FindingsVerified continuous abstinence rates at 6 months post‐quit date were 12.1% (41 of 337) for cytisine versus 7.9% (27 of 342) for varenicline [risk difference 4.29%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = –0.22 to 8.79; relative risk 1.55; 95% CI = 0.97–2.46]. Sensitivity analyses confirmed that the findings were robust. Self‐reported adverse events over 6 months occurred significantly more frequently in the varenicline group (cytisine: 313 events in 111 participants; varenicline: 509 events in 138 participants, incidence rate ratio 0.56, 95% CI = 0.49–0.65, P < 0.001) compared with the cytisine group. Common adverse events were headache, nausea and difficulty sleeping.ConclusionA randomized controlled trial found that cytisine was at least as effective as varenicline at supporting smoking abstinence in New Zealand indigenous Māori or whānau (extended‐family) of Māori, with significantly fewer adverse events.
Host range determination in a novel outbreak pest of sugarcane, Cacosceles newmannii (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, Prioninae), inferred from stable isotopes
Authors: Smit Chantelle , Javal Marion , Conlong Desmond E. , Hall Grant , Terblanche John S. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAn outbreak of Cacosceles newmannii (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) was detected for the first time on sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) in 2015 in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. Although primary host plants of this native species remain unknown, these are central to testing hypotheses concerning the outbreak.
We hypothesized that this species has undergone a host plant shift (i.e. a feeding association with a novel host plant).
We compared δ13C and δ15N ratios of adult beetles retrieved from South African museum collections, collected between 1891 and 2016 (n = 23; ‘pre‐outbreak’), with samples from infested fields in 2017 (n = 9, ‘post‐outbreak’) and in 2019 (n = 23, ‘post‐outbreak’), as well as diverse, plausible host plants (n = 42 samples across 10 species) from infested fields and surrounding patches of indigenous and commercial forest vegetation. We used Bayesian isotope mixing models to infer the relative contribution of the different plants to the diet of C. newmannii.
Pre‐outbreak, C3 plants contributed strongly to the larval diet, whereas post‐outbreak, C4 plants were the largest component of their diet. There was some indication of C4 plants contributing to their diet pre‐outbreak.
Our results suggest that the outbreak of this polyphagous beetle was not a dramatic host shift but rather a rapid increase in the proportion of C4 plants already in their diet.
We concluded that plants from the families Fabaceae and Poaceae are the most likely host plants of this species. Nevertheless, the drivers of this rapid outbreak on sugarcane remain poorly determined and should be the focus of future research.
Safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of emodepside, a potential novel treatment for onchocerciasis (river blindness), in healthy male subjects
Authors: Gillon Jean‐Yves , Dennison Jeremy , van den Berg Frans , Delhomme Sophie , Dequatre Cheeseman Karen , Peña Rossi Claudia , Strub Wourgaft Nathalie , Specht Sabine , Pedrique Belén , Monnot Frédéric , Skrabs Susanne , Rodriguez Maria‐Luisa , Stass Heino 
Published: March 2021

AimsEmodepside is an anthelmintic, originally developed for veterinary use. We investigated in healthy subjects the safety, and pharmacokinetics of a liquid service formulation (LSF) and immediate release (IR) tablet of emodepside in 2 randomised, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled, Phase I studies.MethodsSeventy‐nine subjects in 10 cohorts in the single ascending dose study and 24 subjects in 3 ascending‐dose cohorts in the multiple ascending dose study were enrolled. Emodepside as LSF was administered orally as single 1–40‐mg doses and for 10 days as 5 or 10 mg once daily and 10‐mg twice daily doses, respectively. Pharmacokinetics and safety were assessed up to 21 and 30 days, respectively. In addition, IR tablets containing 5 or 20 mg emodepside were tested in the single ascending dose study.ResultsEmodepside as LSF was rapidly absorbed under fasting conditions, with dose‐proportional increase in plasma concentrations at doses from 1 to 40 mg. Terminal half‐life was > 500 hours. In the fed state, emodepside was absorbed more slowly but overall plasma exposure was not significantly affected. Compared to the LSF, the rate and extent of absorption was significantly lower with the tablets.ConclusionsOverall, emodepside had acceptable safety and tolerability profiles, no major safety concerns, after single oral administration of 20 mg as LSF and after multiple oral administration over 10 days at 5 and 10 mg OD and at 10 mg twice daily. For further clinical trials, the development of a tablet formulation overcoming the limitations observed in the present study with the IR tablet formulation is considered.