bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Procedure of brewing alcohol as a staple food: case study of the fermented cereal liquor “Parshot” as a staple food in Dirashe special woreda, southern Ethiopia
Authors: Sunano Yui 
Published: November 2015

AbstractFor most brews, alcohol fermentation and lactic fermentation take place simultaneously during the brewing process, and alcohol fermentation can progress smoothly because the propagation of various microorganisms is prevented by lactic fermentation. It is not necessary to cause lactic fermentation with a thing generated naturally and intentionally. The people living in the Dirashe area in southern Ethiopia drink three types of alcoholic beverages that are prepared from cereals. From these alcoholic beverages, parshot is prepared by the addition of plant leaves for lactic fermentation and nech chaka by adding cereal powder for lactic fermentation before alcohol fermentation. People living in the Dirashe area partake of parshot as part of their staple diet. The brewing process used for parshot and a food culture with alcoholic beverages as parts of the staple diet are rare worldwide. This article discusses the significance of using lactic fermentation before alcoholic fermentation and focuses on lactic fermentation in the brewing methods used for the three kinds of alcoholic beverages consumed in the Dirashe area. We initially observed the brewing process and obtained information about the process from the people in that area. Next, we determined the pH and analyzed the lactic acid (g/100 g) and ethanol (g/100 g) content during lactic fermentation of parshot and nech chaka; the ethyl acetate (mg/100 g) and volatile base nitrogen (mg/100 g) content during this period was also analyzed. In addition, we compared the ethanol (g/100 g) content of all three kinds of alcoholic beverages after completion of brewing. The results showed that it was possible to consume large quantities of these alcoholic beverages because of the use of lactic fermentation before alcoholic fermentation, which improved the safety and preservation characteristics of the beverages by preventing the propagation of various microorganisms, improving flavor, and controlling the alcohol level.
The development of brain network architecture
Authors: Wierenga Lara M. , van den Heuvel Martijn P. , van Dijk Sarai , Rijks Yvonne , de Reus Marcel A. , Durston Sarah 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBrain connectivity shows protracted development throughout childhood and adolescence, and, as such, the topology of brain networks changes during this period. The complexity of these changes with development is reflected by regional differences in maturation. This study explored age‐related changes in network topology and regional developmental patterns during childhood and adolescence. We acquired two sets of Diffusion Weighted Imaging‐scans and anatomical T1‐weighted scans. The first dataset included 85 typically developing individuals (53 males; 32 females), aged between 7 and 23 years and was acquired on a Philips Achieva 1.5 Tesla scanner. A second dataset (N = 38) was acquired on a different (but identical) 1.5 T scanner and was used for independent replication of our results. We reconstructed whole brain networks using tractography. We operationalized fiber tract development as changes in mean diffusivity and radial diffusivity with age. Most fibers showed maturational changes in mean and radial diffusivity values throughout childhood and adolescence, likely reflecting increasing white matter integrity. The largest age‐related changes were observed in association fibers within and between the frontal and parietal lobes. Furthermore, there was a simultaneous age‐related decrease in average path length (P < 0.0001), increase in node strength (P < 0.0001) as well as network clustering (P = 0.001), which may reflect fine‐tuning of topological organization. These results suggest a sequential maturational model where connections between unimodal regions strengthen in childhood, followed by connections from these unimodal regions to association regions, while adolescence is characterized by the strengthening of connections between association regions within the frontal and parietal cortex. Hum Brain Mapp 37:717–729, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Time scale effect and uncertainty in reconstruction of paleo‐hydrology
Authors: Razavi Saman , Elshorbagy Amin , Wheater Howard , Sauchyn David 
Published: November 2015

AbstractTree‐ring‐based reconstructions of paleo‐hydrology have proved useful for better understanding the irregularities and extent of past climate changes, and therefore, for more effective water resources management. Despite considerable advances in the field, there still exist challenges that introduce significant uncertainties into paleo‐reconstructions. This study outlines these challenges and address them by developing two themes: (1) the effect of temporal scaling on the strength of the relationship between the hydrologic variables, streamflow in this study, and tree growth rates and (2) the reconstruction uncertainty of streamflow due to the dissimilarity or inconsistency in the pool of tree‐ring chronologies (predictors in reconstruction) in a basin. Based on the insight gained, a methodology is developed to move beyond only relying on the annual hydrology‐growth correlations, and to utilize additional information embedded in the annual time series at longer time scales (e.g. multi‐year to decadal time scales). This methodology also generates an ensemble of streamflow reconstructions to formally account for uncertainty in the pool of chronology sites. The major headwater tributaries of the Saskatchewan River Basin, the main source of surface water in the Canadian Prairie Provinces, are used as the case study. It is shown that the developed methodology explains the variance of streamflows to a larger extent than the conventional approach and better preserves the persistence and variability of streamflows across time scales (Hurst‐type behaviour). The resulting ensemble of paleo‐hydrologic time series is able to more credibly pinpoint the timing and extent of past dry and wet periods and provides a dynamic range of uncertainty in reconstruction. This range varies with time over the course of the reconstruction period, indicating that the utility of tree‐ring chronologies for paleo‐reconstruction differs for different time periods over the past several centuries in the history of the region. The proposed ensemble approach provides a credible range of multiple‐century‐long water availability scenarios that can be used for vulnerability assessment of the existing water infrastructure and improving water resources management. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extrapolation of acute toxicity across bee species
Authors: Thompson Helen 
Published: November 2015

Abstract
In applying cross-species extrapolation safety factors from honeybees to other bee species, some basic principles of toxicity have not been included, for example, the importance of body mass in determining a toxic dose. The present study re-analyzed published toxicity data, taking into account the reported mass of the individuals in the identified species. The analysis demonstrated a shift to the left in the distribution of sensitivity of honeybees relative to 20 other bee species when body size is taken into account, with the 95th percentile for contact and oral toxicity reducing from 10.7 (based on μg/individual bee) to 5.0 (based on μg/g bodyweight). Such an approach results in the real drivers of species differences in sensitivity—such as variability in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in and target–receptor binding—being more realistically reflected in the revised safety factor. Body mass can also be used to underpin the other parameter of first-tier risk assessment, that is, exposure. However, the key exposure factors that cannot be predicted from bodyweight are the effects of ecology and behavior of the different species on exposure to a treated crop. Further data are required to understand the biology of species associated with agricultural crops and the potential consequences of effects on individuals at the levels of the colony or bee populations. This information will allow the development of appropriate higher-tier refinement of risk assessments and testing strategies rather than extensive additional toxicity testing at Tier 1. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:622–626. © 2015 SETAC
Copper nanoclusters trigger muscle cell apoptosis and atrophy in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Liu Yayun , Liang Jichao , Wang Qiuju , He Yu , Chen Yong 
Published: November 2015

AbstractCopper nanoclusters (CuNCs) are increasingly being used in nanomedicine owing to their utility in cellular imaging and as catalysts. Additionally, nanotoxicology research of CuNCs is gaining attention. We report here the synthesis and characterization of CuNCs and their cytotoxic impact on muscle cells. A simple protein‐directed synthesis of stable CuNCs was prepared, using bovine serum albumin as the stabling agent. Physicochemical characterization of the synthesized CuNCs was performed using transmission electron microscopy. To evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity, C2C12 cells were exposed to increasing doses (from 0.1 to 50 µg ml–1) of CuNCs. CuNCs affected the viability of C2C12 cells in a dose‐dependent manner, as detected by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide and a lactate dehydrogenase release assay. Further studies indicated that CuNCs induced the formation of reactive oxygen species and decreased the activities of catalase and glutathione. CuNC treatment decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and induced apoptosis, accompanied by an increase in the protein expression ratio of Bax/Bcl‐2 and caspase‐3/9 activity in C2C12 cells. CuNCs treatment resulted in atrophy of the C2C12 myotubes, which was characterized by the increased expression of atrophy‐related genes, such as atrogin‐1 and MuRF1. Finally, CuNCs induce morphological atrophy of primary muscle cells and mouse gastrocnemius muscle. Taken together, these results suggest that exposure to CuNCs may be a risk factor for the skeletal muscle system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolic engineering strategies for D‐lactate over production in Escherichia coli
Authors: Zhou Li , Cui Wen‐jing , Liu Zhong‐mei , Zhou Zhe‐min 
Published: November 2015

AbstractD‐lactate is an important chiral intermediate and a substrate for polylactic acid (PLA) production. Escherichia coli accumulate D‐lactate as the primary fermentative product, and synthesis is directly controlled by the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, the efficiency of the carbon resource utilization, and the redox state. D‐lactate accumulation is complicated by the flux through the competing metabolic routes and the indirect regulation of energy metabolism, as well as by the unexpected interconnectivities of the cellular components in the remote metabolic routes. These effects have been extensively studied, and a number of metabolic engineering strategies have been applied to overproduce D‐lactate with high titers, yields and productivities in E. coli that have been able to reduce the production costs and precisely control the fermentation process. This review summarizes the related strategies and suggests directions for further study; these directions provide guidelines for the development of other metabolic products using E. coli as an industrial platform. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Projection of sea‐level change in the vicinity of Hong Kong in the 21st century
Authors: He Y. H. , Mok H. Y. , Lai Edwin S. T. 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACTSituated along the coast of southern China and facing the South China Sea, Hong Kong has been experiencing a significant rise in sea level by about 2.9 mm year−1 since the 1950s. For a densely populated coastal city prone to storm surge impacts during the passages of tropical cyclones, accentuated by the threat of sea‐level rise as a result of global warming and local vertical land displacement, projection of the sea‐level change for Hong Kong is essential for local risk assessment and long‐term planning of adaptation measures. This study presented the projection of sea‐level change in Hong Kong and its adjacent waters under the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 and 8.5 (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) scenarios in the 21st century based on climate projections by models in phase 5 of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, in combination with contributions from land ice and land water storage determined from published literatures, and local vertical land displacement as estimated by using continuous high‐precision GPS observations in Hong Kong. The results show that the sea level in Hong Kong and its adjacent waters is projected to rise by 0.67 (0.50–0.84) m and 0.84 (0.63–1.07) m in 2081–2100 relative to 1986–2005 under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively, about 0.2 m higher than the global mean values projected by the Fifth Assessment Report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The higher projected sea‐level rise in Hong Kong and its adjacent waters as compared with the global mean values is primarily due to local vertical land displacement which contributes around 28% and 23% of the projected sea‐level rise in 2081–2100 relative to 1986–2005 in the two respective RCP scenarios.
Discrimination of the sensory quality of the Coffea arabica L. (cv. Yellow Bourbon) produced in different altitudes using decision trees obtained by the CHAID method
Authors: Ramos Mariana Figueira , Ribeiro Diego Egídio , Cirillo Marcelo Ângelo , Borém Flávio Meira 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDKnowledge of the sensory profile of coffee quality, associated with genetic and environmental factors, is of utmost importance for the international market, as well as for the productive sector. In this context, the goal of this study was to classify the quality of Coffea arabica L., cv. Yellow Bourbon, according to different scores obtained through sensory evaluations based on the Specialty Coffee Association of America protocol (SCAA), and by means of decision trees resulting from applying the CHAID method (chi‐square automatic interaction detection). To that end, we used a database with the sensory characteristics of cv. Yellow Bourbon and the environmental characteristics of the Mantiqueira de Minas region, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.RESULTSThe method used exhibited promising results regarding accuracy and success rates in order to discriminate coffee sensory quality as a function of the production environment. The results obtained clearly show the effect of the coffee growing environment on the Yellow Bourbon variety, resulting in notable sensory differences in the beverage.CONCLUSIONIt was possible to discriminate cv. Yellow Bourbon coffee samples, the sensory evaluations of which resulted in scores of ≥88 points, which are associated with growing environments at altitudes of ≥1200 m. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of microwave pretreatment and transglutaminase crosslinking on the gelation properties of soybean protein isolate and wheat gluten mixtures
Authors: Qin Xin‐Sheng , Luo Shui‐Zhong , Cai Jing , Zhong Xi‐Yang , Jiang Shao‐Tong , Zheng Zhi , Zhao Yan‐Yan 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe integration of soybean protein isolate (SPI) with wheat gluten (WG) crosslinked via microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) may enhance the formation of ϵ‐(γ‐glutamyl)lysine covalent bonds, because SPI is rich in lysine and WG contains more glutamine. Microwave pretreatment may accelerate enzymatic reactions. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the effects of microwave pretreatment on the gelation properties of SPI and WG crosslinked with MTGase.RESULTSInterestingly, the gel strength, water‐holding capacity (WHC) and storage modulus (G′) values of MTGase‐induced SPI/WG gels were dramatically improved with increasing microwave power. Moreover, the MTGase crosslinking reaction promoted the formation of disulfide bonds, markedly reducing the free SH group and soluble protein content of gels. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of SPI/WG gels showed that microwave pretreatment increased the proportion of α‐helices and β‐turns and decreased the proportion of β‐sheets. Results from scanning electron microscopy indicated that the MTGase‐induced SPI/WG gels had denser and more homogeneous microstructures after microwave pretreatment.CONCLUSIONThe effect of microwave pretreatment is useful in advancing gelation characters of MTGase‐induced SPI/WG gels and provides the possibility for expanding the application of food protein. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Operational Stress and Correlates of Mental Health Among Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay Military Personnel
Authors: Webb‐Murphy Jennifer A. , De La Rosa Gabriel M. , Schmitz Kimberly J. , Vishnyak Elizabeth J. , Raducha Stephanie C. , Roesch Scott C. , Johnston Scott L. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractMilitary personnel deployed to Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay (JTF‐GTMO) faced numerous occupational stressors. As part of a program evaluation, personnel working at JTF‐GTMO completed several validated self‐report measures. Personnel were at the beginning, middle, or end of their deployment phase. This study presents data regarding symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol abuse, depression, and resilience among 498 U.S. military personnel deployed to JTF‐GTMO in 2009. We also investigated individual and organizational correlates of mental health among these personnel. Findings indicated that tenure at JTF‐GTMO was positively related to adverse mental health outcomes. Regression models including these variables had R2 values ranging from .02 to .11. Occupation at JTF‐GTMO also related to mental health such that guards reported poorer mental health than medical staff. Reluctance to seek out mental health care was also related to mental health outcomes. Those who reported being most reluctant to seek out care tended to report poorer mental health than those who were more willing to seek out care. Results suggested that the JTF‐GTMO deployment was associated with significant psychological stress, and that both job‐related and attitude‐related variables were important to understanding mental health symptoms in this sample.
Ethanol: A simple and effective RNA‐preservation for freshwater insects living in remote habitats
Authors: Astrid Tischler , Margit Egg , Leopold Füreder 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe often proposed preservation method “snap‐freezing” is rather unpractical for sampling in remote areas. Therefore, the effectiveness, feasibility and affordability of alternative fixatives were investigated. Larvae of Orthocladius sp. (Diptera, Chironomidae) were fixed in RNAlater®, RNAfix (self‐made), acetone and ethanol of two different qualities (methylated and molecular grade). Samples were first kept at room temperature for 24 h, then at −20°C for 1 week, at −80°C for 1 month and at −80°C for 6 months. Additionally, long term storage at −20°C for up to 18 months was tested for methylated ethanol and RNAfix. Subsequently evaluated RNA quality and quantity did not differ significantly between the preservation methods. Methylated ethanol, being the most economical alternative, was chosen to be tested in a field trip. Diamesa latitarsis larvae (Diptera, Chironomidae) and Baetis alpinus nymphs (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae) were collected in two remote streams at 2208 m a.s.l. Samples were cooled (∼ 4°C) for 23 up to 30 h during sampling and transportation. Organisms were identified and photographed in ethanol at room temperature and then stored at −80°C for 6 months until RNA isolation. RNA quality was high and the yield was suitable for down‐stream applications such as cDNA synthesis and real‐time quantitative PCR. Due to these results we recommend methylated ethanol as an inexpensive but reliable RNA‐fixative for sampling in remote areas even if time‐consuming species identification has to be done prior to RNA‐extraction.
ICS teaching module: Ambulatory urodynamic monitoring
Authors: Digesu G. Alessandro , Gargasole Clara , Hendricken Caroline , Gore Michelle , Kocjancic Ervin , Khullar Vik , Rosier Peter F. 
Published: November 2015

AimTo present the ICS Teaching Module on ambulatory urodynamics monitoring (AUM).MethodsThis teaching module has been developed by the ICS Urodynamics Committee to assist ICS members in their routine clinical practice. A detailed literature search on studies published on the clinical role of AUM as well as expert opinions have been considered. A slide set on AUM has been developed, approved by all members of the ICS Urodynamics Committee and is available to the ICS membership on the ICS website. The final approved teaching module has been presented at the ICS Annual Scientific Meeting in Brazil 2014.ResultsThe scientific evidence on the clinical role of AUM in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms is summarized. The catheters and recording systems used, the patient preparation for the test, the technique, the instructions to the patient, the analysis, interpretation, and quality control assessment of AUM trace as well as the contraindications for AUM are described.ConclusionsThe clinical role of AUM is still controversial. The scientific evidence on the usefulness of AUM is still limited but the ICS Urodynamics Committee recommends its use as a second line diagnostic tool when office laboratory urodynamics have failed to achieve a diagnosis. AUM has been showed to be more sensitive than laboratory urodynamics in diagnosing detrusor overactivity but the level of evidence for this measurement is not high. This manuscript summarizes the evidence and provides practice recommendations on AUM for teaching purposes in the framework of an ICS teaching module. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:364–367, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Delayed reward discounting and grit in men and women with and without obesity
Authors: Graham Thomas J. , Seiden Andrew , Koffarnus Mikhail N. , Bickel Warren K. , Wing Rena R. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine how sensitivity to short‐term reward and long‐term goal perseverance are related to body mass index (BMI; kg m2) in a large sample of men and women with and without obesity.MethodsA total of 450 participants (56.2% male; 73.1% non‐Hispanic White) with mean ± standard deviation age of 30.7 ± 10.4 years and BMI of 29.3 ± 8.2 completed online versions of the Delayed Reward Discounting task to measure sensitivity to short‐term reward and the Grit Scale to measure long‐term goal perseverance.ResultsIn regression analysis, higher sensitivity to short‐term reward (i.e. a preference for receiving smaller rewards after a shorter delay; b = 0.49, p = 0.016) and lower long‐term goal perseverance (b = −1.26, p = 0.042) were independently associated with higher BMIs. Individuals with a favourable score on one measure were not ‘protected’ from the risk associated with an unfavourable score on the other measure.ConclusionsAn overvaluation of short‐term reward (e.g. the taste of palatable food and the comfort of engaging in sedentary activities) and undervaluation of long‐term health goals (e.g. achieving a healthy weight and avoiding obesity‐related comorbidities) may contribute to excess weight. Additional research incorporating prospective experimental designs is needed to determine whether decision‐making strategies can be targeted to improve weight management.