bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of voltage gradient and fat content on changes of electrical conductivity of frozen minced beef meat during ohmic thawing
Authors: Cevik Mutlu , Icier Filiz 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFrozen minced beef meat samples having different fat contents of 2, 10, and 18% were thawed until their center temperature reached −1 °C in the ohmic thawing system. Ohmic thawing was conducted by applying different voltage gradients (10, 13, and 16 V/cm) at ambient temperature of 4 ± 0.5 °C. Effective electrical conductivity (EEC) values of the samples at −1 °C were 0.5774 ± 0.0558, 0.4231 ± 0.0510, and 0.3933 ± 0.0693 S/m for 2, 10, and 18% fat contents, respectively. The change of effective electrical conductivity with temperature was linear for temperature range of −18 °C/−9.5 °C while it was exponential for temperature range of −9.5 °C/−4 °C. Above −4 °C, the polynomial model was best model describing the change of EEC with temperature. Ohmic thawing process could be applied as an alternative novel technology for thawing of meat and meat products. It is thought that the results of present study would contribute valuable information to open literature.Practical applicationsResearchers have given attention on investigation of alternative thawing methods for foods in recent years. Ohmic thawing has high energy efficiency, causes low drip loss and does not produce any waste water. Since it is controlled by heat generation caused due to passing of alternative current through food, the information on change of its electrical conductivity is crucial. The minced beef sample has heterogeneous structure such as muscle, connective, and adipose tissues. Thus, its effective electrical conductivity (EEC) varies depending on its composition. In this study, the relations between temperature and EEC of minced beef samples having different fat contents were determined for four different temperature ranges existed during ohmic thawing at different voltage gradients. EEC was very low at temperatures below −4 °C, and then it sharply increased above this temperature. Results of present study would give valuable information to food industry for setting up industrial scale ohmic thawing systems for meat and meat products.
Drying kinetics and bioactive compounds of Bunchosia glandulifera
Authors: Blank Daiane Einhardt , Bellaver Mariana , Fraga Sara , Lopes Toni Jefferson , de Moura Neusa Fernandes 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to describe the drying kinetics of Bunchosia glandulífera pulp, as well as the changes in its phenolic compounds, carotenoid content, and antioxidant activity. The experiments were performed in a drying oven with forced air at 45, 65, and 85 °C, until the equilibrium moisture was reached. An increase in the mass transfer rate was observed at the highest temperature, with a subsequent decrease in the drying time. The drying curves exhibited a period of fast decline and an exponential trend was observed in all of them, validated using Page's mathematical model. The concentration of phenolic compounds and carotenoids decreased during the first minutes of drying. Bioactive compounds were the most sensitive to high temperatures and the antioxidant activity was mainly affected by the drying time.Practical applicationsBunchosia glandulifera is a fruit with nutraceutical potential by the presence of bioactive compounds. The removal of water from a fruit extends the conservation time of the product during storage and transportation, facilitating the access to such foods. However, the phenolic and carotenoid compounds present in the fruit are sensitive to the thermal process. Thus it is important to know the behavior kinetic drying of fruit and its consequences in the bioactive compounds present and antioxidant activity for better use of the fruit.
Check‐all‐that‐applies as an alternative for descriptive analysis to establish flavors driving liking in strawberries
Authors: Oliver Penelope , Cicerale Sara , Pang Edwin , Keast Russell 
Published: February 2018

Check‐all‐that‐apply (CATA) is a rapid sensory profiling tool that can be applied by consumers, saving time and money in comparison to descriptive analysis (DA), and providing insight into the consumer. Limited research has validated CATA against DA in strawberries, and subsequently compared the sensory attributes driving liking. The aim of this research is to compare the results obtained from DA to those established via CATA using untrained consumers, and to assess any differences in attributes identified to drive liking. Trained panelists (n = 12, minimum 60 hr each panelist) and untrained consumers (n = 131) were provided with six strawberry samples (three duplicate cultivars). The trained panel applied DA techniques to profile each strawberry cultivar, and the untrained consumer panel used CATA to select all attributes applying to each sample. A second untrained consumer panel (n = 139) rated their liking of the same sample set on a hedonic general labeled magnitude scale. Results revealed CATA produced moderately comparable product configurations to DA (RV coefficient = 0.760), with similarities in descriptors associated with liking. This research has established CATA as a time and cost‐efficient alternative for the DA methodology, however, when precise definitions and subsequent quantification of the sensory attributes of products are required, DA is a more robust and reliable evaluation tool.Practical applicationsRapid sensory analysis tools are becoming increasingly popular for use in industry. The use of consumers applying a check‐all‐that‐apply approach may be employed to understand consumer preferences. This research may be applied to further understand use of the consumer to profile the sensory characteristics of products when compared to a trained sensory panel. In addition, the results may validate the potential replacement of a trained panel for an untrained consumer panel in some situations where a detailed sensory profile, with precise definitions and subsequent quantification of sensory attributes, is not essential.
Paediatric thoracic empyema in the tropical North Queensland region of Australia: Epidemiological trends over a decade
Authors: Gautam Anil , Wiseman Gregory G , Goodman Marika L , Ahmedpour Simon , Lindsay Daniel , Heyer Adele , Stalewski Harry , Norton Robert E , White Andrew V 
Published: February 2018

AimThe Townsville Hospital and Health Service is the regional referral centre for children in the north of Queensland. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people make up 7–10% of the population. Increasing numbers of children with paediatric thoracic empyema (pTE) are being referred to Townsville Hospital and Health Service for management. This study aims to describe the incidence rates, epidemiology, microbiology and trends of this disease in North Queensland over a 10‐year period.MethodsA retrospective chart review of all children (1 month to 16 years), admitted in the years 2007–2016, with community‐acquired pTE was conducted. International Classification of Diseases codes were used to identify the patients. Epidemiological and microbiological data were extracted from records.ResultsOf the 123 cases identified, incidence rates per 100 000 were 8.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 8.4–8.6) in all children and much higher at 19.8 (95% CI: 19.5–21.9) in ATSI children. The under 5 years age group had the highest rate (24.5; 95% CI: 24.4–24.6). There was a progressive rise in incidence during the 10‐year period, with the highest incidence of 15.2 (95% CI: 15.1–15.2) occurring in 2016. A pathogen was isolated in 76% of cases. Non‐multi‐resistant methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen isolated in 22 of 64 ATSI children (34%), while Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common pathogen isolated in 27 of 59 non‐ATSI children (46%).ConclusionsA high and increasing incidence of pTE in North Queensland is being observed. ATSI children have higher incidence rates and are more likely to have non‐multi‐resistant methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus as a causative agent.
Barleria cristata: perspective towards phytopharmacological aspects
Authors: Kumar Harish , Agrawal Rohini , Kumar Vipin 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Objectives
Barleria cristata (Family: Acanthaceae), commonly known as Philippine violet, is used in different ethnomedical systems for the treatment of a wide range of ailments. This review aimed to provide a scientific overview of B. cristata with reference to its ethnobotanical aspects, geographical distribution, medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activity, and critical analyses research gaps and future research opportunities for investigations on this plant.

Key findings
Ethnomedical uses of the plant have been observed in lungs disorders, inflammatory conditions, toothache, anaemia, snake bite, diabetes and tuberculosis. The exhaustive bibliographic research carried out on this plant revealed that the plant parts are rich in various phytochemical constituents including triterpenes, phenolic compounds, glycosides and flavonoids type phenolic compounds. Furthermore, the plant was also investigated in terms of its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antifungal, hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity.

Conclusions
This review confirms that B. cristata is a potential herb for the treatment of a wide range of diseases especially lung disorders and inflammatory conditions. Modern pharmacological studies have also validated many ethnobotanical uses of B. cristata, though data regarding many aspects of this plant such as mechanism of action, adverse effects of extracts and active compounds are still limited which call for additional studies.
Impacts of an invasive plant on primary production: Testing a functional trait‐based framework with a greenhouse experiment
Authors: Helsen Kenny , Kapás Rozália E. , Rakvaag Grete , Speed James D. M. , Graae Bente J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractQuestionsPredicting when invasive species will affect ecosystem functioning remains problematic, with strong contingency upon both the invasive species and the recipient community's identities. Adopting a functional trait‐based approach might overcome this context‐dependence. As an early exploration of this approach, we used a greenhouse experiment with seeds of the invasive plant Impatiens glandulifera to assess the potential invasion effects on community trait composition and biomass production.LocationThree distant European seed origins, northern France, southern Sweden and central Norway, into transplanted turves from Trondheim, Norway.MethodsAt the end of the greenhouse experiment, we measured plant height, specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and standing biomass of both the invasive plant and the turf communities. With these data we evaluated invasion effects on community trait composition and standing biomass (as a first test of ecosystem function effects), including dependence on invasive species origin and recipient community composition.ResultsInvasion by I. glandulifera introduced divergent trait values (high plant height and SLA, low LDMC) to the recipient community. The trait set of both the invader and, to a lesser extent, the community were altered following invasion, seemingly driven by increased light competition. Competitive and graminoid‐dominated communities showed stronger changes in LDMC following invasion. Functional traits of both the communities and the invasive species helped explain the increase in standing biomass. Southern invader plants more strongly affected the recipient community than their northern counterparts, resulting in stronger biomass reduction of the recipient community.ConclusionsThis study shows how invasion‐induced increases in productivity are effectuated through both the introduction of different invader traits and shifts in the co‐occurring species trait set, illustrating the potential of a functional trait‐based approach.
Changes in vegetation structure and fuel characteristics along post‐fire succession promote alternative stable states and positive fire–vegetation feedbacks
Authors: Tiribelli Florencia , Kitzberger Thomas , Morales Juan Manuel 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAimsStructural and compositional changes along post‐fire succession modify plant community proneness to burn (flammability). The dominant regeneration strategies and life forms, and their interactions along post‐fire succession, modulate these changes by affecting density, amount and connectivity of fuels. Depending on how flammability evolves during post‐fire succession it may feed back negatively, neutrally or positively into fire probability and behaviour. Negative fire–vegetation feedbacks arise when communities increase flammability as stands age, while positive feedbacks occur where early stages have higher flammability than later stages. We characterized changes in vegetation structure and fuel characteristics with time since fire in sites where either resprouters maintained dominance (shrublands), or where colonizer trees reached the sites and dominate later post‐fire stages (forests).LocationNorthwestern Patagonia, Argentina.MethodsWe measured vegetation structure and characterized fine fuels with the intercept pole method in stands of different post‐fire age in 18 shrublands (range 1–115 years) and 18 forests (range 7–216 years).ResultsIn shrublands fuel amount quickly recovered after fire to a relatively constant value and fine fuel density remained high. Conversely, in forests, fuel amount rapidly increased during early post‐fire stages (when resprouting shrubs dominate the community), peaked at c. 30–50 years (related to the co‐existence of resprouters and young trees) and decreased to a relatively constant value (when tall trees dominate the community and suppress resprouters). Moreover, forest fuel density decreased with time. These changes in fuel characteristics were largely linked to changes in vegetation structure, which in turn were modulated by the dominant regeneration strategies and life forms.ConclusionsOur results provide evidence of a positive fire–vegetation feedback for the community dominated by colonizer trees, while the community dominated by resprouter shrubs showed a neutral feedback. Given the co‐existence of flammable shrublands bordering fire‐sensitive forests and their low tree regeneration rates, we argue that forest communities are especially sensitive to changes in fire frequency and severity driven by global change. Anthropogenic or climate‐driven changes in ignitions are threatening these landscapes, which may undergo potentially rapid transformations, as seen in other temperate ecosystems.
Does beak size predict the pollination performance of hummingbirds at long and tubular flowers? A case study of a Neotropical spiral ginger
Authors: Missagia Caio C. C. , Alves Maria Alice S. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractLong‐billed hummingbirds are assumed to be better adapted than short‐billed ones for the pollination of long tubular flowers. However, the majority of the empirical evidence is derived from surveys of pollinator feeding performance, which tend to ignore the implications for plant fitness. Here, we tested the long‐billed performance hypothesis from the perspective of the pollinated plant. We conducted a comparative survey to evaluate fecundity in relation to the length of the beak of the pollinating hummingbirds visiting the long and tubular flowers of Costus spiralis (Costaceae), in the Brazilian Atlantic forest. The flowers of C. spiralis were pollinated by three hummingbird species and their nectar was thieved by the bee Eulaema sp. There was no significant difference in the frequency of floral visits nor in the production of seeds among the three hummingbirds in fruits formed from flowers exposed to a single visit by each pollinator. Unexpectedly, our results indicate that the floral morphology of C. spiralis is equally compatible with long‐ and short‐billed pollinators, and is apparently incompatible with pollination by large insects. These findings emphasize the need to test the performance of each floral visitor with the simultaneous estimation of the intensity of the interactions, to increase the accuracy of the measurement of the pollinator's relative importance in studies of plant–pollinator interactions in ornithophilous systems.
Experimentally altered rainfall regimes and host root traits affect grassland arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities
Authors: Deveautour Coline , Donn Suzanne , Power Sally A. , Bennett Alison E. , Powell Jeff R. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFuture climate scenarios predict changes in rainfall regimes. These changes are expected to affect plants via effects on the expression of root traits associated with water and nutrient uptake. Associated microorganisms may also respond to these new precipitation regimes, either directly in response to changes in the soil environment or indirectly in response to altered root trait expression. We characterized arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal communities in an Australian grassland exposed to experimentally altered rainfall regimes. We used Illumina sequencing to assess the responses of AM fungal communities associated with four plant species sampled in different watering treatments and evaluated the extent to which shifts were associated with changes in root traits. We observed that altered rainfall regimes affected the composition but not the richness of the AM fungal communities, and we found distinctive communities in the increased rainfall treatment. We found no evidence of altered rainfall regime effects via changes in host physiology because none of the studied traits were affected by changes in rainfall. However, specific root length was observed to correlate with AM fungal richness, while concentrations of phosphorus and calcium in root tissue and the proportion of root length allocated to fine roots were correlated to community composition. Our study provides evidence that climate change and its effects on rainfall may influence AM fungal community assembly, as do plant traits related to plant nutrition and water uptake. We did not find evidence that host responses to altered rainfall drive AM fungal community assembly in this grassland ecosystem.
Welshness in ‘British Wales’: negotiating national identity at the margins
Authors: Evans Daniel John 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPopular interpretations of national identity often focus on the unifying qualities of nationhood. However, societies frequently draw hierarchical distinctions between the people and places who are ‘most national’, and those who are ‘least national’. Little attention is paid to these marginal places within the nation and the experiences of their inhabitants. This article helps to address this by analysing the ‘less Welsh’ British Wales region of Wales, a country that has traditionally possessed a hierarchical, regionally constituted nationhood. The article studies the British Wales region both ‘from above’ – considering how some areas develop as ‘less national’ – and ‘from below’, introducing empirical ethnographic work into ‘everyday Welshness’ in this area. Whilst previous work on hierarchical nationhood focuses on how hierarchies are institutionalized by the state, this article demonstrates how people at the margins of the nation actively negotiate their place in the nation. Whilst people in this area expressed a strong Welshness, they also struggled to place themselves in the nation because they had internalized their lowly place within the national hierarchy. The article demonstrates the importance of place and social class for national identity construction and draws attention to the role of power in the discursive construction of hierarchical nationhood.
Photoenzymes and Related Topics: An Update
Authors: Björn Lars Olof 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPhotoenzymes are enzymes that catalyze photochemical reactions. For a long time, it was believed that only two types of photoenzymes exist: light‐dependent NADPH:protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase and photolyase. However, other photoenzymes have now been discovered, most recently fatty acid photodecarboxylase.
What drives farmers to increase soil organic matter? Insights from the Netherlands
Authors: Hijbeek R. , Pronk A. A. , van Ittersum M. K. , ten Berge H.F.M. , Bijttebier J. , Verhagen A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractSoil organic matter (SOM) is an important resource base for arable farming. For policies on SOM to be effective, insight is needed on why and under which conditions farmers are willing to increase SOM content. This study used the theory of planned behaviour to analyse what prevents or encourages Dutch farmers to increase the SOM content of their fields. In an online survey, 435 arable farmers were asked questions to understand their attitude (perceived benefits), subjective norm (social pressure) and perceived behavioural control (anticipated impediments and obstacles) related to management of SOM. Farmers’ answers were related to their intention to increase SOM content, use of organic materials and perceived increase in SOM content. Our results showed that Dutch farmers are well aware of the possible benefits of SOM content for crop productivity. Farmers’ attitude, subjective norm and perceived decrease in SOM content were significantly related to their intention to increase SOM content. In our farm survey, this intention was very strong: 90% of the farmers stated a high or very high intention to increase the SOM content of their fields. A higher intention to increase SOM content was correlated with the use of organic materials as expressed as total and effective C (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively), but this did not lead to a perceived increase in SOM content. From a farmer's point of view, this indicates that increasing SOM content is to a large degree beyond their direct influence. The Dutch Manure and Fertiliser Act, costs of organic inputs and the need to cultivate profitable crops (such as potatoes or sugar beet) were indicated as important impeding factors for increasing SOM content.
An ex vivo comparison of vascular access devices used in extracorporeal photopheresis
Authors: Szymanski Jeffrey , Shah Priyank , Dynis Marian , Mansfield Donna , Hamilton Connie , Despotis George 
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUNDCentral venous access devices are commonly used in extracorporeal photopheresis, but their performance has not been systematically evaluated. The primary objective of this study was to compare pressures at various flow rates for central venous access devices in an ex vivo simulation of photopheresis.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSDiluted, heparinized red blood cells were circulated through central access devices in series with a photopheresis system, and pressures at several flow rates were recorded. The devices tested were the Trifusion catheter (Hickman), the Vortex single‐lumen and dual‐lumen ports (Angiodynamics), and the TidalPort device (Norfolk). Flow rates were also compared for silicone and polyurethane catheters and for different catheter internal diameters.RESULTSThe Vortex dual‐lumen port generated pressure alarms above flow rates of 60 mL/minute. Throughout flow rates from 5 to 100 mL/minute, the Trifusion catheter and the TidalPort device operated at lower pressures than the Vortex ports. Within typical clinical flow rates, neither catheter material nor internal diameter substantially affected pressure.CONCLUSIONCentral venous access devices show large differences in pressure within flow rates used routinely in clinical settings. These differences cannot be fully attributed to catheter material composition or catheter internal diameter.