bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phytosterols improve immunity and exert anti‐inflammatory activity in weaned piglets
Authors: Hu Qiaoling , Zhuo Zhao , Fang Shenglin , Zhang Yiwei , Feng Jie 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDPhytosterols (PS), plant‐derived natural steroid compounds, are novel feed additives to regulate immune function and promote pig growth. This study was conducted to determine the effects of PS on the immune response of weaned piglets.RESULTSOne hundred and twenty crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) piglets with an average initial weight of 9.58 ± 0.26 kg were randomly allotted to three treatments. Treatments consisted of a control, PS (0.2 g kg−1) and polymyxin E (0.04 g kg−1, antibiotic control) treatment. The results showed that PS or polymyxin E supplementation remarkably decreased diarrhea rate and elevated CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ ratio in piglets compared with the control (P < 0.05). PS increased basophil and serum interleukin‐4, and caused a shift towards Th2 profile by decreasing Th1/Th2 ratios in piglets compared with control (P < 0.05). Polymyxin E contributed to an increase in interleukin‐10 compared with the control (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the amount of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium or Escherichia coli of jejunum among the three treatments (P > 0.05).CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that PS supplementation has no significant effect on growth but could remarkably decrease diarrhea rate, and improve immunity and anti‐inflammatory activity in weaned piglets. In addition, PS supplementation had similar effects on growth, anti‐inflammation and intestinal microorganisms as supplementation with polymyxin E in piglets. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Physico‐chemical and sensory properties of marmalades made from mixtures of fruits and under‐exploited Andean tubers
Authors: Lotufo Haddad Agustina M , Margalef María Isabel , Armada Margarita , Goldner María Cristina 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis work studies the added value to the Andean tuber crops through the production of jams. The objective were: (1) to study the sensory and instrumental characteristics of dietetic marmalades made with fruits and Andean tubers; (2) to research consumer's acceptability and emotional responses; (3) to assess the relationship between sensory and instrumental variables and (4) to determine sensory, instrumental and emotional variables that influence the acceptability.RESULTSPearson's correlations showed that spreadability was the variable better predicted by sensory and instrumental ones. The analysis of variance showed that sourness increased with the increase of strawberry and the decrease of apple contents (P < 0.05). The acceptability increased when the strawberry proportion was higher. The sweetness–sourness balance drove the hedonic response and some emotions changed from one feeling to its corresponding opposite when the strawberry proportion reached 50 or 60. According to a partial least square 2 and a principal components analysis of sensory/acceptability/emotion data, ‘typical’, ‘autochthonous’, ‘urban’ and ‘present’ resulted in positive emotions which favored the consumer liking.CONCLUSIONFormulating marmalades with mixtures of fruits and Andean tubers will allow giving value‐added to these crops. The elaboration of products using innovative raw materials will be an incentive for farmers to cultivate them. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
In situ self‐assembled reduced graphene oxide aerogel embedded with nickel oxide nanoparticles for the high‐efficiency separation of ovalbumin
Authors: Chen Lei , Zheng Dong‐Hua , Zhang Ying , Wang Ya‐Ning , Xu Zhang‐Run 
Published: February 2017

A three‐dimensional reduced graphene oxide aerogel with embedded nickel oxide nanoparticles was prepared by a one‐step self‐assembly reaction in a short time. The nanoparticles could be captured into the interior of reduced graphene oxide network during the formation of the three‐dimensional architecture. The composite exhibited porosity, good biocompatibility, and abundant metal affinity binding sites. The aerogel was used to isolate ovalbumin selectively from egg white, and favorable adsorption was achieved at pH 3. An adsorption efficiency of 90.6% was obtained by using 1 mg of the composite for adsorbing 70 μg/mL of ovalbumin in 1.0 mL of sample solution, and afterwards a recovery of 90.7% was achieved by using an eluent of 1.0 mL Britton–Robinson buffer solution at pH 5. After the adsorption/desorption, ovalbumin showed no change in the conformation. The adsorption behavior of ovalbumin on the reduced graphene oxide composite well fitted to the Langmuir adsorption model, and a corresponding theoretical maximum adsorption capacity was 1695.2 mg/g. A sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis assay demonstrated that the aerogel could selectively isolate ovalbumin from chicken egg white.
Are Emotionally Intelligent Employees Less Likely to Hide Their Knowledge?
Authors: de Geofroy Zoé , Evans M. Max 
Published: February 2017

In today's knowledge‐intensive economy, organizations are constantly faced with new challenges to be more innovative (Salaman & Storey,). Therefore, they have increasingly viewed knowledge management (KM) as an important strategy. Many have even implemented explicit knowledge sharing (KS) practices in an attempt to maintain their competitive advantage and improve performance (Hsu,; Law & Ngai,). However, much of the knowledge utilized by the organization is out of its control since it is held and managed at the individual level. Moreover, employees often choose to conceal this knowledge (Connellyet al.,; Peng,; Connelly & Zweig,; Demirkasimoglu,) a phenomenon known as knowledge hiding (KH). This paper reviews the literature on KH and on Emotional Intelligence (EI) theory and practice, arguing that there is a potential connection between the two. Specifically, KH may be reduced, through increasedteamwork,trust, andorganizational commitment, which are all outcomes of high EI in employees.A narrative overview approach (Green et al.,) was used to find, synthesize, and review the literature. A search of the available research literature was performed across some of the major digital library sources including the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Emerald, Google Scholar and ProQuest databases. A meta‐synthesis was then used to integrate, evaluate, and interpret the findings. The resulting review provides a summary of the current literature and offers a rationale for conducting future research. This paper is useful for both academics and practitioners who are concerned with the incorporation of EI practices into their KM strategies. It could also provide further insight into organizational KM strategy, specifically relating to hiring, training, and promoting KM processes. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Round window stimulation with the Vibrant Soundbridge: Comparison of direct and indirect coupling
Authors: Olszewski Lukasz , Jedrzejczak W. Wiktor , Piotrowska Anna , Skarzynski Henryk 
Published: February 2017

Objectives/HypothesisThe purpose of this study was to measure the degree of coupling between the floating mass transducer (FMT) and the round window membrane (RWM) in patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss implanted with the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) device. The efficiency of direct and indirect coupling of the FMT to the RWM was compared by measuring differences between the initial prescription targets and the final settings of the VSB audio processor after fine‐tuning.Study DesignRetrospective study.MethodsInvestigation of a group of subjects with either conductive or mixed hearing loss implanted with the VSB, a device that uses a FMT coupled to the RWM. There were two subgroups: subjects in which coupling was direct (no interposed material) or indirect (interposed material). The functional gain, insertion gain, and compression characteristics of the device were measured to assess the efficiency of coupling and to investigate the proximity of the fitting to prescriptive targets.ResultsCoupling for the subgroup with indirect coupling of the RWM was higher (better) than for the subgroup with direct coupling. The gain deviation from prescriptive targets was smaller for the subgroup with indirect coupling.ConclusionsThe coupling method can have an effect on the coupling efficiency and the final electroacoustic settings of the device. The prescription targets were not accurate for the majority of subjects from either subgroup. Indirect coupling appears to provide more effective stimulation of the cochlea.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:2843–2849, 2017
Ash Physical Characteristics Affects Differently Soil Hydrology and Erosion Subprocesses
Authors: Thomaz Edivaldo L. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAfter slash‐and‐burn agriculture, topsoil becomes covered by ash layers of various colors. The different colored ashes have particular properties that may affect the hydro‐erosional processes on hillslopes in different ways. In the present study, the effects of black and gray ashes on the hydro‐erosional processes were examined in the context of slash‐and‐burn, and the soil erosion subprocesses responsible for soil loss were identified. Black and gray ashes were collected in the field after two slash‐and‐burn fires. The experiment was conducted in wettable, clay‐textured, brown oxisols. In the laboratory, the ash was spread carefully by hand over a plot of 0·14 m2. Simulated rainfall was discharged from a height of 6 m from the central plot for a period of 30 min with a rainfall intensity of 58 mm h−1. Gray ash reduced infiltration five times more than black ash and four times more than bare soil. The runoff coefficient showed black ash with minor runoff of ~7%, bare soil displayed intermediate runoff of ~12%, and gray ash exhibited the major runoff coefficient of 19%. Gray ash generated six and three and a half times more sediment than black ash and bare soil, respectively. This study determined that soil hydrology is affected more by ash cover than soil loss. Black ash protects against soil erosion and improves soil water infiltration; gray ash dramatically changes the topsoil hydrology and interill erosion processes; and bare soil and soil cover with different ash colors lose soil through different erosion subprocesses. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Yield Response of Mediterranean Rangelands under a Changing Climate
Authors: Daliakopoulos Ioannis N. , Panagea Ioanna S. , Tsanis Ioannis K. , Grillakis Manolis G. , Koutroulis Aristeidis G. , Hessel Rudi , Mayor Angeles G. , Ritsema Coen J. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractUnderstanding the Mediterranean rangelands degradation trends is a key element of mitigating their vulnerability and enhancing their resilience. Climate change and its inherent effects on mean temperature and the precipitation variability can regulate the magnitude, frequency and duration of droughts and aridity with a profound effect on ecosystem productivity. Here we investigate the effects of climate change to project the development of vegetation in the Mediterranean rangelands by (i) estimating the relative Standardized Precipitation Index and a modification of the United Nations Environment Programme Aridity Index to classify climate variability, and (ii) modelling vegetation response to climate using the Food and Agriculture Organisation crop–water production function. Climate model data are obtained from nine general circulation models under Relative Concentration Pathways 2.6 and 8.5 of the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. After correcting climate model data for biases, results for two 40‐year future study periods are compared with the baseline period 1961–2000 within a domain that includes the European Mediterranean. We show that a gradual but robust increase of aridity and drought frequency is estimated for most of the Mediterranean region, impacting rangeland vegetation yields. Projected drought and aridity disturbances may well represent permanent shifts to a warmer and more frequently dry status. This alternative stability of climatic pressure lies outside the limits of ecosystem resilience and may indicate that in some cases vegetation will either adapt to the new conditions or be succeeded by more water‐stress tolerant species. Results raise concerns about the fate of the Mediterranean rangelands and the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the Fundamental Causes of High Environmental Alkalinity (pH ≥ 9): An Assessment of Its Drivers and Global Distribution
Authors: Jobbágy Esteban G. , Tóth Tibor , Nosetto Marcelo D. , Earman Sam 
Published: February 2017

AbstractVery alkaline environments exceeding calcite buffering are globally rare but conspicuous in many sedimentary plains of the World. While the deleterious effects of high alkalinity on soils are well understood, less agreement exists on its causes. We revise these causes to understand these exceptional environments and explain the pervasiveness of calcite buffering elsewhere. We argue that the injection of respired CO2 into stagnant hydrological systems subject to evaporative discharge is the key context for high alkalinization. The evolution of evaporites in nature reaches highly alkaline stages only when excess of (bi)carbonate with respect to divalent cations occurs. In most dry landscapes, evaporating groundwater solutions lose this condition as respired inorganic carbon (recharge zone supply) equilibrates with divalent cations from rocks (whole hydro‐trajectory supply). Groundwater in stagnant landscapes avoids this limitation owing to short/shallow trajectories sustaining (bi)carbonate excess until evaporative discharge zones are reached. Flat sedimentary landscapes that are (i) wet enough to develop stagnation and have shallow water tables but (ii) sufficiently dry to expose them to evaporative concentration should host very alkaline soils. This is confirmed with >9,000 soil profiles from the global WISE database, which shows that profiles with pH ≥ 9 in the top meter are 2·7% globally but 18% in areas with low slope (<0·05%, 25‐km radius, SRTM digital elevation model (SRTM DEM)) and semiarid–subhumid climate (annual precipitation to potential evapotranspiration ratio = 0·2–1, CRU database). Understanding how climate and vegetation change as well as irrigation practices influence hydrological stagnation and evaporative concentration may provide the key to manage very alkaline environments. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative long‐term measurements of burns in a rat model using Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging (SFDI) and Laser Speckle Imaging (LSI)
Authors: Ponticorvo Adrien , Burmeister David M. , Rowland Rebecca , Baldado Melissa , Kennedy Gordon T. , Saager Rolf , Bernal Nicole , Choi Bernard , Durkin Anthony J. 
Published: February 2017

Background and OjectivesThe current standard for diagnosis of burn severity and subsequent wound healing is through clinical examination, which is highly subjective. Several new technologies are shifting focus to burn care in an attempt to help quantify not only burn depth but also the progress of healing. While accurate early assessment of partial thickness burns is critical for dictating the course of treatment, the ability to quantitatively monitor wound status over time is critical for understanding treatment efficacy. SFDI and LSI are both non‐invasive imaging modalities that have been shown to have great diagnostic value for burn severity, but have yet to be tested over the course of wound healing.MethodsIn this study, a hairless rat model (n = 6, 300–450 g) was used with a four pronged comb to create four identical partial thickness burns (superficial n = 3 and deep n = 3) that were used to monitor wound healing over a 28 days period. Weekly biopsies were taken for histological analysis to verify wound progression. Both SFDI and LSI were performed weekly to track the evolution of hemodynamic (blood flow and oxygen saturation) and structural (reduced scattering coefficient) properties for the burns.ResultsLSI showed significant changes in blood flow from baseline to 220% in superficial and 165% in deep burns by day 7. In superficial burns, blood flow returned to baseline levels by day 28, but not for deep burns where blood flow remained elevated. Smaller increases in blood flow were also observed in the surrounding tissue over the same time period. Oxygen saturation values measured with SFDI showed a progressive increase from baseline values of 66–74% in superficial burns and 72% in deep burns by day 28. Additionally, SFDI showed significant decreases in the reduced scattering coefficient shortly after the burns were created. The scattering coefficient progressively decreased in the wound area, but returned towards baseline conditions at the end of the 28 days period. Scattering changes in the surrounding tissue remained constant despite the presence of hemodynamic changes.ConclusionsHere, we show that LSI and SFDI are capable of monitoring changes in hemodynamic and scattering properties in burn wounds over a 28 days period. These results highlight the potential insights that can be gained by using non‐invasive imaging technologies to study wound healing. Further development of these technologies could be revolutionary for wound monitoring and studying the efficacy of different treatments. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:293–304, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of Polyethylene on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Particleboard
Authors: Waelaeh Salwanee , Tanrattanakul Varaporn , Phunyarat Kittisak , Panupakorn Pimpatima , Junnam Kittitat 
Published: February 2017

SummaryParticleboard is a common material used in furniture manufacturing. In the present study, it is made from natural rubber wood in the form of coarse and fine particles which is glued with urea formaldehyde adhesive. Because of the cellulosic structure containing many hydroxyl groups, the particleboard becomes a hygroscopic product. The objective of the present study was to increase the water resistance of the particleboard by adding polyethylene (PE). Four grades of PE were selected and mixed with the rubber wood particles before forming as a three‐layer particleboard. Water absorption and thickness swelling were determined. The mechanical properties of the particleboard were evaluated including modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), internal bond strength (IB) and screw holding force. It is found that the addition of 5 wt% PE decreased the thickness swelling at 2 h, e.g. from 19.27% to 13.18–17.16%, and at 24 h, e.g. from 23.81% to 16.88–21.04%. The presence of 5 wt% PE also decreased the water absorption at 2 h, e.g. from 56.17% to 42.01–52.98%, and at 24 h, e.g. from 70.89% to 58.63–66.76%. LDPE D209 and LDPE 2420T showed high potential in this application because they enhanced the water resistance and slightly increased the internal bond strength of the particleboard. MOR and MOE of particleboard could be ranked in the following order: D209 > control > 2420T.
Enhanced Detection of Nitrite Ions Over Copper Acetylacetonate/Polymeric Carbon Nitride Composites
Authors: Jasman Siti Maryam , Lintang Hendrik O. , Yuliati Leny 
Published: February 2017

SummaryNitrogen containing compounds such as nitrite ions () may cause contaminations to the environment, food and drinking water, and they have a negative effect on human health. In this study, a novel fluorescence sensor was developed by modification of polymeric carbon nitride (CN) with copper(II) acetylacetonate (Cu(acac)2). The polymeric CN was prepared by using urea as a precursor via thermal polymerization technique, while the Cu(acac)2 was introduced onto the polymeric CN via an impregnation method. The formation of polymeric CN can be confirmed from the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and the diffuse reflectance ultraviolet visible (DR UV‐Vis) spectroscopies. The polymeric CN exhibited three excitation peaks at 277, 315, and 370 nm owing to the presence of CN, CO, and CN groups, respectively, while there was only one emission peak observed at 455 nm. The emission intensity was decreased with the increase of Cu(acac)2 loading, suggesting certain interactions between the polymeric CN and the added Cu(acac)2. The performances of the polymeric CN and Cu(acac)2/CN composites as fluorescence sensors were evaluated for detection with concentration range of 0.5‐4 μM. It was revealed that the CN sites in the polymeric CN were the most favored quenching sites for the . With the addition of Cu(acac)2 (0.1 mol%), the quenching rate for CN sites was enhanced two times higher than that of the polymeric CN. This study demonstrated that the composite is a promising fluorescence sensor for the detection of .
Preparation of Epoxy Composite Hollow Microspheres (ECHM) Using Toluenesulfonyl Hydrazide (TSH) as Blowing Agent
Authors: Nayan Nurul Ain Mohd , Leemsuthep Anusha , Zakaria Zunaida , Uy Lan Du Ngoc 
Published: February 2017

SummaryThe epoxy composite hollow microspheres (ECHM) was prepared by single emulsion technique. Porofor Toluenesulfonyl hydrazide (TSH) 75 was used as blowing agent. Carbon black was used as filler for polyamide‐epoxy adduct matrix, which was reverted ratio of 1:2 epoxy to polyamide. The epoxy mixture (internal phase) was dropped and stirred into a heated corn oil (external phase) to form spherical droplets. These epoxy droplets underwent two simultaneous mechanisms of curing and foaming and became hollow microspheres. As expected, higher TSH content produced lower density of ECHM because of more expansion in ECHM. This fact was also evident from the size of hollow microspheres observed by using scanning electron microscope. In addition, high TSH content of 16 phr induced higher thermal properties of ECHM compared to those of ECHM using 8 phr and 12 phr TSH.
Wave‐CAIPI for highly accelerated MP‐RAGE imaging
Authors: Polak Daniel , Setsompop Kawin , Cauley Stephen F. , Gagoski Borjan A. , Bhat Himanshu , Maier Florian , Bachert Peter , Wald Lawrence L. , Bilgic Berkin 
Published: February 2017

PurposeTo introduce a highly accelerated T1‐weighted magnetization‐prepared rapid gradient echo (MP‐RAGE) acquisition that uses wave‐controlled aliasing in parallel imaging (wave‐CAIPI) encoding to retain high image quality.MethodsSignificant acceleration of the MP‐RAGE sequence is demonstrated using the wave‐CAIPI technique. Here, sinusoidal waveforms are used to spread aliasing in all three directions to improve the g‐factor. Combined with a rapid (2 s) coil sensitivity acquisition and data‐driven trajectory calibration, we propose an online integrated acquisition‐reconstruction pipeline for highly efficient MP‐RAGE imaging.ResultsThe 9‐fold accelerated MP‐RAGE acquisition can be performed in 71 s, with a maximum and average g‐factor of gmax = 1.27 and gavg = 1.06 at 3T. Compared with the state‐of‐the‐art method controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration (2D‐CAIPIRINHA), this is a factor of 4.6/1.4 improvement in gmax/gavg. In addition, we demonstrate a 57 s acquisition at 7T with 12‐fold acceleration. This acquisition has a g‐factor performance of gmax = 1.15 and gavg = 1.04.ConclusionWave encoding overcomes the g‐factor noise amplification penalty and allows for an order of magnitude acceleration of MP‐RAGE acquisitions. Magn Reson Med 79:401–406, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.