bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Concentration of fruit juice aroma compound from model multicomponent solution and natural apple juice hydrolate: Optimization and modeling by design of experiment
Authors: Dawiec‐Liśniewska Anna , Podstawczyk Daria , Witek‐Krowiak Anna 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study presents aroma compounds separation from a model multicomponent solution as well as natural apple juice hydrolate by pervaporation (PV). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the influence of the operating parameters on membrane separation performance. The experiments were planned in accordance with the Box–Behnken design for such three input variables as temperature, feed flow rate, and the concentration of aroma compounds in the feed. For the enrichment factor as the system response, the optimal values of independent variables amounted to respectively T = 60 °C, Q = 1.30 dm3/min, and C = 0.5 wt %. For these conditions, the enrichment factor was predicted to be 87.56. In the last step, PV of apple juice hydrolate was performed under optimal conditions as determined through RSM for a multicomponent system. Optimal conditions determined by RSM for the model solution allowed for getting satisfactory effectiveness of PV of real fruit juice hydrolate.Practical ApplicationsAroma compounds of natural origin have nowadays become a precious commodity, due to a growing awareness on the part of the customers who are concerned with the quality and origin of the goods they purchase. Manufacturers are on the lookout for new production techniques that can reduce energy, natural resources or reagents consumption. Pervaporation (PV) ranks among such techniques, thanks to mild process conditions, low energy consumption, modular apparatus, and high effectiveness as compared to the commonly applied thermic processes or extractions with solvents. The current study investigates mathematical modeling of PV in order to determine optimal process parameters for separation experiments of aroma compounds from multicomponent aqueous systems as well as apple juice hydrolate. So far, RSM coupled with Box–Behnken design has not been applied for PV optimization of aroma compounds from multicomponent aqueous solutions. Additionally, PV has not yet been applied in the concentration of apple juice hydrolate.
Serological and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in sheep and goats in Kashan, Central Iran
Authors: Rasti Sima , Marandi Nader , Abdoli Amir , Delavari Mahdi , Mousavi Seyed Gholam Abbas 
Published: December 2017

AbstractToxoplasmosis is one of the most common meat‐borne parasitic infections worldwide. Consumption of raw or undercooked meat which contains Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts is an important route of human infection. In this study, we investigate the serological and molecular prevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep and goat samples in Kashan, Iran, from 2015 to 2016. Serological (IgG antibody) and molecular detections were performed by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction on the sera and heart samples of sheep (n = 90) and goats (n = 90), respectively. T. gondii‐IgG antibody was detected in 12.2% of sheep and 4.4% of goat samples. The parasite's DNA was detected in 17.8 and 8.9% of sheep and goat samples, respectively.Practical applicationsThe results of this study emphasize on the role of the sheep and goat as reservoirs of T. gondii infection. Hence, consumption of adequately cooked meat should be considered for prevention of T. gondii infection in humans.
Safety evaluation of subchronic feeding of nisI transformed Lactobacillus plantarum in Sprague‐Dawley rats
Authors: Liu Haiyan , He Xiaoyun , Xu Wentao , Huang Kunlun , Zhang Jianwei 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe nisI gene was inserted into Lp (Lactobacillus plantarum) genome and obtained Lp590 (L. plantarum 590). The nisI gene can help Lp590 tolerate higher concentration of nisin. Although Lp was generally recognized as safe, the safety of the nisI transformed Lp is unknown. In this study, six groups of Sprague‐Dawley (three groups/sex) rats were orally administered with Lp, Lp590 or physiological saline for 90 days. Nutritional status and growth performance were evaluated followed by analysis of blood biochemistry, hematology and organ variables. Compared with control, we did not find any treatment‐related adverse or toxic effects on the examination of clinical signs, body weight, organ weight, serum biochemistry, hematology, gross, and microscopic anatomic pathological examination. These results demonstrated that the Lp590 is as safe as Lp in our subchronic feeding trial.Practical applicationsThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of transformed Lactobacillus plantarum. In this current 90‐day feeding study, body weight, feed consumption and toxicological response variables (hematological parameters, serum chemistry, absolute, and relative organ weight) were measured, and gross as well as microscopic pathology were examined. No adverse effects were observed on animals. The results indicated that Lp590 is as safe as Lp. The result can add the safety evidence of transformed microorganism.
Anti‐Shiga toxin 2 antibodies in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O104:H4 infected patients may predict hemolytic uremic syndrome
Authors: Dammermann Werner , Mihajlov Valentin , Middendorf Barbara , Mellmann Alexander , Karch Helge , Lüth Stefan , Ullrich Sebastian 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackground and AimAn outbreak of Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) producing enterohemorrhagic and enteroaggregative Escherichia coli O104:H4 infection in May 2011 in Germany caused enterocolitis and an unprecedented high 22% rate of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). We hypothesized that anti‐Stx2 IgM or IgG titers might predict HUS development.MethodsThirty‐two patients infected with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O104:H4 (HUS: n = 23; non‐HUS: n = 9) were retrospectively screened for anti‐Stx2 IgM/IgG and matched with clinical data regarding HUS development, fever, superinfection, dialysis, neurological symptoms, intensive care, antibiotic treatment, and plasmapheresis.ResultsOnly HUS patients showed a prominent Stx2‐specific humoral response in the early acute phase. Despite a strong trend towards prediction of HUS development, statistical analysis revealed no significant correlation between high IgM/IgG titers and further key clinical parameters such as fever, superinfection, neurological symptoms, antibiotic treatment, and plasmapheresis.ConclusionsAnti‐Stx2 antibodies seem to accompany or even precede HUS development.
Age and Hydration dependence of jowl and forearm skin firmness in young and mature women
Authors: Mayrovitz Harvey N. , Wong Jennifer , Fasen Madeline 
Published: December 2017

SummaryBackgroundQuantitative assessment of possible linkages between skin's firmness and water content is useful for cosmetic and clinical purposes and to better understand features of advancing age.ObjectivesOur goals were to characterize age‐related differential features in skin firmness in women and determine the relationship between skin firmness and indices of skin water.MethodsSkin firmness was quantified using handheld devices that measure the force to indent skin 0.3 and 1.3 mm (F0.3 and F1.3). Skin hydration was quantified using handheld devices that measured tissue dielectric constant (TDC) at 300 MHz to skin depths of 0.5 and 2.0‐2.5 mm. All parameters were measured bilaterally in the jowl area and volar forearm of 60 women grouped by age <45 years (YOUNG) and ≥45 years old (MATURE).ResultsAll measured parameters were bilaterally symmetrical at jowl and forearm. Forearm and jowl indentation forces were greater in YOUNG with statistically significant declines with advancing age with regression relations most evident at shallower indentation depths (P < .001). Quantitative relations for arm and jowl were F0.3 = 0.256 × AGE + 32.7 mN and F0.3 = −0.07 × AGE + 17.7 mN. Firmness was related to TDC values only when indentation force and TDC were assessed on the arm at the shallowest skin depths, as weakly related to firmness and was observed to change with age only when measured to a depth of 0.5 mm represented by TDC5 = 0.096 × AGE + 32.7.ConclusionsExperimental finding show clear differences in skin firmness between age‐groups with skin hydration playing a minor role. Possible explanations and suggestions for further studies are provided.
Effect of a warm‐up sample on stabilizing the performance of untrained panelists in time–intensity evaluation
Authors: Gotow Naomi , Moritani Ami , Hayakawa Yoshinobu , Akutagawa Akihito , Hashimoto Hiroshi , Kobayakawa Tatsu 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTo improve the reliability of sensory evaluation, it is necessary to minimize response bias. In this study, we investigated the effect of a warm‐up sample on time–intensity evaluation of after‐flavor. Untrained panelists evaluated continuously perceived intensity of bitterness and retronasal aroma, using four types of samples (two brands of coffee beverages × two types of lids). Half of participants evaluated bitterness intensity in the first session and retronasal aroma intensity in the second session, whereas the other half evaluated them in the opposite order. Each session consisted of four trials, and we regarded the first trial sample of each session as a warm‐up. Results revealed that perceived intensity was significantly lower in the first trial than in the following trials, and that the time courses of the second, third, and fourth trials were similar except when participants evaluated bitterness intensity in the second session. In other words, the use of a warm‐up sample stabilized the performance of time–intensity evaluation of bitterness and retronasal aroma in the first session. Furthermore, no warm‐up sample was needed in the second session when participants evaluated bitterness intensity, but a warm‐up was needed when they evaluated retronasal aroma intensity.Practical applicationBased on the results of this study, we concluded that the use of a warm‐up sample stabilized performance in time–intensity evaluation of after‐flavor by untrained panelists. We proposed that in order to obtain reliable performance in time–intensity evaluation of after‐flavor, untrained panelists should be provided a training trial using warm‐up sample before staring the test trials.
Experiences of mental health nursing staff working with voice hearers in an acute setting: An interpretive phenomenological approach
Authors: McMullan E. , Gupta A. , Collins S. C. 
Published: December 2017

Accessible summaryWhat is known on the subject?

Community mental health staff and their service users have reported mixed views on the importance of talking about the content of voices.

Community staff have reported feeling that they do not have the skills to explore voice content and worry about making things worse.

Voice hearers experiencing extreme distress due to the content of their voices can access support through acute inpatient mental health services.

No previous studies have focused on the experiences of staff who nurse voice hearers at a time of acute distress.

What does this study add to existing knowledge?

MHNs and HSWs working with voice hearers in acute distress report feeling powerless and helpless, as they feel that they cannot lessen the distress experienced by the voice hearer.

Despite these difficult feelings, staff report finding ways of coping, including using structured tools to help make sense of their service users' voice‐hearing experiences and accessing reflective practice forums.

What are the implications for practice?

Due to the current context of increased acuity and limited resources in acute services, there may be a need to further protect time for staff to access reflective practice groups and supervision forums to help them manage the difficult feelings arising from their work with voice hearers.

AbstractIntroductionMental health nursing (MHN) staff in acute settings work with voice hearers at times of crises when they experience high levels of distress. Previous research has focused on community mental health staff's experiences and their service users views on exploring the content of voices. No studies have explored this from an acute mental health service perspective.AimThis study therefore sought to explore the experiences of staff working with voice hearers in an acute mental health service.MethodDue to the exploratory nature of the research, a qualitative design was chosen. Three MHNs and five healthcare support workers (HSWs) were interviewed. The data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.ResultsA group analysis elicited three master themes: “It's quite scary really, not unlike a horror movie;” “I can only influence what's in front of me;” and “Just chipping away”.DiscussionStaff working with voice hearers in acute settings experience feelings of powerlessness and helplessness, as they feel unable to reduce the distress experienced by voice hearers in their care. Staff employ coping strategies to help manage these difficult feelings, including using structured tools in their work with voice hearers and attending reflective practice forums.Implications for PracticeAcute mental health services may need to protect time for staff to access regular reflective practice and other supervision forums to help manage their feelings of powerlessness and helplessness arising from their work with voice hearers.
The influence of tongue strength on oral viscosity discrimination acuity
Authors: Steele Catriona M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe ability to generate tongue pressures is widely considered to be critical for liquid bolus propulsion in swallowing. It has been proposed that the application of tongue pressure may also serve the function of collecting sensory information regarding bolus viscosity (resistance to flow). In this study, we explored the impact of age‐related reductions in tongue strength on oral viscosity discrimination acuity. The experiment employed a triangle test discrimination protocol with an array of xanthan‐gum thickened liquids in the mildly to moderately thick consistency range. A sample of 346 healthy volunteers was recruited, with age ranging from 12 to 86 (164 men, 182 women). On average, participants were able to detect a 0.29‐fold increase in xanthan‐gum concentration, corresponding to a 0.5‐fold increase in viscosity at 50/s. Despite having significantly reduced tongue strength on maximum isometric tongue‐palate pressure tasks, and regardless of sex, older participants in this study showed no reductions in viscosity discrimination acuity.Practical applicationsIn this article, the relationship between tongue strength and the ability to discriminate small differences in liquid viscosity during oral processing is explored. Given that tongue strength declines with age in healthy adults and is also reduced in individuals with dysphagia, it is interesting to determine whether reduced tongue strength might contribute to difficulties in evaluating liquid viscosity during the oral stage of swallowing. Using an array of mildly to moderately thick xanthan‐gum thickened liquids, this experiment failed to find any evidence that reductions in tongue strength influence oral viscosity discrimination acuity.
Effect of Prophylactic Calcitriol Administration on Serum Ionized Calcium Concentrations after Parathyroidectomy: 78 Cases (2005–2015)
Authors: Armstrong A.J. , Hauptman J.G. , Stanley B.J. , Klocke E. , Burneko M. , Holt D.E. , Runge J.J. , Rubin J.A. 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundProphylactic administration of calcitriol has been suggested to mitigate the risk of hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy. The effect of calcitriol on postoperative serum ionized calcium concentrations has not been evaluated in dogs after parathyroidectomy.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo determine the effect of prophylactic calcitriol administration on postoperative serum ionized calcium (iCa) concentrations in dogs with primary hyperthyroidism (PHPTH) treated by parathyroidectomy.AnimalsSeventy‐eight dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism treated surgically.MethodsMulti‐institutional retrospective case study. Medical records from 2005 to 2015 were evaluated. Dogs were included if they had a diagnosis ofPHPTHand had surgery to remove parathyroid tissue. Serum iCa concentrations were monitored for a minimum of 2 days postoperatively. Two study groups were evaluated: calcitriol administration and no calcitriol administration.ResultsSerial postoperative iCa concentrations measured at 12‐hour time intervals for 2 days postoperatively were positively associated with preoperative iCa concentrations. This association was evident at each time interval, and the effect of preoperative iCa concentrations on postoperative iCa concentrations decreased as time elapsed (12 hours,P < 0.0001; 24 hours,P < 0.0001; 36 hours,P < 0.04; and 48 hours,P = 0.01). Prophylactic calcitriol administration was not found to be significantly associated with postoperative iCa concentrations or its rate of decrease after parathyroidectomy.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceWe found no protective value in administering calcitriol prophylactically to prevent hypocalcemia in the immediate postoperative period (48 hours) after parathyroidectomy. Preoperative iCa concentrations had a significant positive association with postoperative iCa concentrations throughout the monitoring period.
Can spatial statistics help decipher impact crater saturation?
Authors: Kirchoff Michelle R. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractImpact crater saturation equilibrium is a state where a surface is so densely cratered that a new crater cannot form without removing older craters and the observed crater density is in (quasi‐)equilibrium. Whether densely cratered surfaces throughout the solar system are saturated for large, kilometer‐sized craters has been debated for decades. This work explores if spatial statistics can provide insight if these crater distributions are in saturation equilibrium. The supposition is that crater distributions become more spatially uniform (more evenly spaced) as they reach saturation (Squyres et al. ). A numerical simulation of crater saturation is combined with observations of cratered terrains throughout the solar system to assess the utility of using spatial statistics. The numerical simulations examine spatial statistics and saturation equilibrium for crater distributions for various input population size‐frequency distribution (SFD) slopes, along with a range in the effective crater erasure size, effectiveness of smaller craters erasing the rims of larger craters, and the amount of rim needed to recognize a crater. Simulations show that saturated terrains do become more spatially uniform, and that the degree of uniformity appears to be most dependent on the input SFD slope. When simulation results are compared to observed crater distributions, I find that large, kilometer‐sized craters on densely cratered terrains throughout the solar system are likely in saturation equilibrium.
The Chelyabinsk meteorite: New insights from a comprehensive electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy study with evidence for graphite in olivine of ordinary chondrites
Authors: Kaeter David , Ziemann Martin A. , Böttger Ute , Weber Iris , Hecht Lutz , Voropaev Sergey A. , Korochantsev Alexander V. , Kocherov Andrey V. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe present results of petrographic, mineralogical, and chemical investigations of three Chelyabinsk meteorite fragments. Three distinct lithologies were identified: light S3 LL5, dark S4–S5 LL5 material, and opaque fine‐grained former impact melt. Olivine–spinel thermometry revealed an equilibration temperature of 703 ± 23 °C for the light lithology. All plagioclase seems to be secondary, showing neither shock‐induced fractures nor sulfide‐metal veinlets. Feldspathic glass can be observed showing features of extensive melting and, in the dark lithology, as maskelynite, lacking melt features and retaining grain boundaries of former plagioclase. Olivine of the dark lithology shows planar deformation features. Impact melt is dominated by Mg‐rich olivine and resembles whole‐rock melt. Melt veins (<2 mm) are connected to narrower veinlets. Melt vein textures are similar to pegmatite textures showing chilled margins, a zone of inward‐grown elongated crystals and central vugs, suggesting crystallization from supercooled melt. Sulfide‐metal droplets indicate liquid immiscibility of both silicate and sulfide as well as sulfide and metal melts. Impact melting may have been an important factor for differentiation of primitive planetary bodies. Graphite associated with micrometer‐sized melt inclusions in primary olivine was detected by Raman mapping. Carbon isotopic studies of graphite could be applied to test a possible presolar origin.
Selfish X chromosomes and speciation
Authors: Patten Manus M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn two papers published at about the same time almost thirty years ago, Frank (Evolution, 45, 1991a, 262) and Hurst and Pomiankowski (Genetics, 128, 1991, 841) independently suggested that divergence of meiotic drive systems—comprising genes that cheat meiosis and genes that suppress this cheating—might provide a general explanation for Haldane's rule and the large X‐effect in interspecific hybrids. Although at the time, the idea was met with skepticism and a conspicuous absence of empirical support, the tide has since turned. Some of the clearest mechanistic explanations we have for hybrid male sterility involve meiotic drive systems, and several other cases of hybrid sterility are suggestive of a role for meiotic drive. In this article, I review these ideas and their descendants and catalog the current evidence for the meiotic drive model of speciation. In addition, I suggest that meiotic drive is not the only intragenomic conflict to involve the X chromosome and contribute to hybrid incompatibility. Sexually and parentally antagonistic selection pressures can also pit the X chromosome and autosomes against each other. The resulting intragenomic conflicts should lead to co‐evolution within populations and divergence between them, thus increasing the likelihood of incompatibilities in hybrids. I provide a sketch of these ideas and interpret some empirical patterns in the light of these additional X‐autosome conflicts.
Cardiolipin synthase A colocalizes with cardiolipin and osmosensing transporter ProP at the poles of Escherichia coli cells
Authors: Romantsov Tatyana , Gonzalez Karen , Sahtout Naheda , Culham Doreen E. , Coumoundouros Chelsea , Garner Jennifer , Kerr Craig H. , Chang Limei , Turner Raymond J. , Wood Janet M. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryOsmosensing by transporter ProP is modulated by its cardiolipin (CL)‐dependent concentration at the poles of Escherichia coli cells. Other contributors to this phenomenon were sought with the BACterial Two‐Hybrid System (BACTH). The BACTH‐tagged variants T18‐ProP and T25‐ProP retained ProP function and localization. Their interaction confirmed the ProP homo‐dimerization previously established by protein crosslinking. YdhP, YjbJ and ClsA were prominent among the putative ProP interactors identified by the BACTH system. The functions of YdhP and YjbJ are unknown, although YjbJ is an abundant, osmotically induced, soluble protein. ClsA (CL Synthase A) had been shown to determine ProP localization by mediating CL synthesis. Unlike a deletion of clsA, deletion of ydhP or yjbJ had no effect on ProP localization or function. All three proteins were concentrated at the cell poles, but only ClsA localization was CL‐dependent. ClsA was shown to be N‐terminally processed and membrane‐anchored, with dual, cytoplasmic, catalytic domains. Active site amino acid replacements (H224A plus H404A) inactivated ClsA and compromised ProP localization. YdhP and YjbJ may be ClsA effectors, and interactions of YdhP, YjbJ and ClsA with ProP may reflect their colocalization at the cell poles. Targeted CL synthesis may contribute to the polar localization of CL, ClsA and ProP.