bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kefir prevented excess fat accumulation in diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Choi Jae-Woo , Kang Hye Won , Lim Won-Chul , Kim Mi-Kyoung , Lee In-Young , Cho Hong-Yon 
Published: January 2017

AbstractExcessive body fat accumulation can result in obesity, which is a serious health concern. Kefir, a probiotic, has recently shown possible health benefits in fighting obesity. This study investigated the inhibitory effects of 0.1 and 0.2% kefir powder on fat accumulation in adipose and liver tissues of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Kefir reduced body weight and epididymal fat pad weight and decreased adipocyte diameters in HFD-induced obese mice. This was supported by decreased expression of genes related to adipogenesis and lipogenesis as well as reduced proinflammatory marker levels in epididymal fat. Along with reduced hepatic triacylglycerol concentrations and serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase activities, genes related to lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation were downregulated and upregulated, respectively, in liver tissue. Kefir also decreased serum triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol concentrations. Overall, kefir has the potential to prevent obesity.
Development of a radio frequency heating system for sterilization of vacuum-packed fish in water
Authors: Uemura Kunihiko , Kanafusa Sumiyo , Takahashi Chieko , Kobayashi Isao 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
We developed equipment that quickly and uniformly heats packed whole fish in circulating tap water using radio frequency (RF) heating. Four vacuumed plastic-packed Pacific sauries in tap water were set in a radial arrangement between coaxial cylindrical electrodes in a closed vessel. For sterilization testing, Bacillus subtilis spores added in the center of the sauries were counted after treatment. For quality assurance, meat color and backbone hardness were measured after treatment. The temperature at the center of the sauries was increased up to 130 °C for 19 min using 9 kW RF heating, and up to 119 °C for 45 min using conventional heating (CH) at 120 °C. B. subtilis spores were decreased by five logarithmic orders using RF heating and by four logarithmic orders using CH. The RF-treated meat was brighter than the CH-treated meat, and the RF-treated backbone was softer than CH-treated one.
Daily oral intake of β-cryptoxanthin ameliorates neuropathic pain
Authors: Park Gyujin , Horie Tetsuhiro , Iezaki Takashi , Okamoto Maika , Fukasawa Kazuya , Kanayama Takashi , Ozaki Kakeru , Onishi Yuki , Sugiura Minoru , Hinoi Eiichi 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
β-cryptoxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid, exerts preventive effects on various lifestyle-related diseases. Here, we found that daily oral administration of β-cryptoxanthin significantly ameliorated the development of tactile allodynia following spinal nerve injury but was ineffective in mechanical allodynia in an inflammatory pain model in mice. Our results suggest that β-cryptoxanthin supplementation would be beneficial for the prophylaxis of neuropathic pain.
Continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE): policy and practice at the national level
Authors: Yagnamurthy Sreekanth 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThere is a growing agreement among the academic community, in schools and among researchers, concerning the advantages of formative assessment and the limitations of large‐scale assessment. In this paper, the school‐based assessment reform of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) popularly known in India as continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) is studied in the context of the curriculum policy outlined by the National Focus Group (NFG) on Examination Reforms and the National Curriculum Framework 2005 (NCF 2005). The necessity, importance and scope of CCE have been a matter of debate among stakeholders. This paper focuses on how curriculum planners have conceived of school‐based assessment and how it is implemented by CBSE. Though CBSE makes extensive reference to NCF 2005 in its manual, its scheme of CCE contradicts with the philosophy of that framework. At the same time, CBSE's CCE is more in alignment with the position of the NFG, which formed the basis for NCF 2005 on students’ assessment. The author considers that these conceptual differences in policy and implementation framework have created confusion. Furthermore, decentralised decision‐making on assessment, less rigid recording and reporting procedures, flexible timeframes, and continuous engagement with teachers are necessary for effective implementation of CCE.
Final report on the APMP key comparison liquid hydrocarbon flow (APMP.M.FF-K2.a)
Authors: Shimada Takashi , Su Chun-Min , Chen I-Cheng , Dignan Simon 
Published: January 2017

A key comparison, APMP.M.FF-K2. was undertaken by the APMP Technical Committee for Fluid Flow, and was piloted by the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ/AIST). The objective of this key comparison is to demonstrate the degree of equivalence of the hydrocarbon flow standards held at the participating laboratories (CMS, NMIA and NMIJ), to link the key comparison reference value (KCRV) of CCM.FF-K2 and to provide supporting evidence for the calibration and measurement capabilities (CMCs) claimed by the participating laboratories in the Asia-Pacific regions. A screw type positive displacement flow meter was selected as a transfer standard. The performance of the transfer standard and its stability was evaluated from repeated measurements by the pilot institute, NMIJ. The transfer standard showed high performance and good stability since the uncertainty due to the transfer standard was less than quoted uncertainties in the participants. CMS and NMIJ have En values which show consistency with both the relevant KCRV for APMP.M.FF-K2.a and each pair of participants. However some En values for NMIA were from 1 to 1.2, indicating 'alert'.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Tex19.1Regulates Meiotic DNA Double Strand Break Frequency in Mouse Spermatocytes
Authors: Crichton James H. , Playfoot Christopher J. , MacLennan Marie , Read David , Cooke Howard J. , Adams Ian R. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractMeiosis relies on the SPO11 endonuclease to generate the recombinogenic DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) required for homologous chromosome synapsis and segregation. The number of meiotic DSBs needs to be sufficient to allow chromosomes to search for and find their homologs, but not excessive to the point of causing genome instability. Here we report that meiotic DSB frequency in mouse spermatocytes is regulated by the mammal-specific geneTex19.1. We show that the chromosome asynapsis previously reported inTex19.1-/-spermatocytes is preceded by reduced numbers of recombination foci in leptotene and zygotene.Tex19.1is required for the generation of normal levels ofSpo11-dependent DNA damage during leptotene, but not for upstream events such as MEI4 foci formation or accumulation of H3K4me3 at recombination hotspots. Furthermore, we show that mice carrying mutations in the E3 ubiquitin ligase UBR2, a TEX19.1-interacting partner, phenocopy theTex19.1-/-recombination defects. These data show thatTex19.1andUbr2are required for mouse spermatocytes to generate sufficient meiotic DSBs to ensure that homology search is consistently successful, and reveal a hitherto unknown genetic pathway regulating meiotic DSB frequency in mammals.Author SummaryMeiosis is a specialised type of cell division that occurs during sperm and egg development to reduce chromosome number prior to fertilisation. Recombination is a key step in meiosis as it facilitates the pairing of homologous chromosomes prior to their reductional division, and generates new combinations of genetic alleles for transmission in the next generation. Regulating the amount of recombination is key for successful meiosis: too much will likely cause mutations, chromosomal re-arrangements and genetic instability, whereas too little causes defects in homologous chromosome pairing prior to the meiotic divisions. This study identifies a genetic pathway requiredto generate robust meiotic recombination in mouse spermatocytes. We show that male mice with mutations inTex19.1orUbr2, which encodes an E3 ubiquitin ligase that interacts with TEX19.1, have defects in generating normal levels of meiotic recombination. We show that the defects in these mutants impact on the recombination process at the stage when programmed DNA double strand breaks are being made. This defect likely contributes to the chromosome synapsis and meiotic progression phenotypes previously described in these mutant mice. This study has implications for our understanding of how this fundamental aspect of genetics and inheritance is controlled.
Tuning of recombinant protein expression in Escherichia coli by manipulating transcription, translation initiation rates and incorporation of non-canonical amino acids
Authors: Schlesinger Orr , Chemla Yonatan , Heltberg Mathias , Ozer Eden , Marshall Ryan , Noireaux Vincent , Jensen Mogens Høgh , Alfonta Lital 
Published: January 2017

AbstractProtein synthesis in cells has been thoroughly investigated and characterized over the past 60 years. However, some fundamental issues remain unresolved, including the reasons for genetic code redundancy and codon bias. In this study, we changed the kinetics of the E. coli transcription and translation processes by mutating the promoter and ribosome binding domains and by using genetic code expansion. The results expose a counterintuitive phenomenon, whereby an increase in the initiation rates of transcription and translation lead to a decrease in protein expression. This effect can be rescued by introducing slow translating codons into the beginning of the gene, by shortening gene length or by reducing initiation rates. Based on the results, we developed a biophysical model, which suggests that the density of co-transcriptional translation plays a role in bacterial protein synthesis. These findings indicate how cells use codon bias to tune translation speed and protein synthesis.
Defects in Meiotic Recombination Delay Progression Through Pachytene in Mouse Spermatocytes
Authors: Crichton James H. , Read David , Adams Ian R. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractDuring meiosis, recombination, synapsis, chromosome segregation and gene expression are coordinately regulated to ensure successful execution of this specialised cell division. In many model organisms, checkpoint controls can delay meiotic progression to allow defects or errors in these processes to be repaired or corrected. Mouse spermatocytes possess quality control checkpoints that eliminate cells with persistent irreparable defects in chromosome synapsis or recombination, and here we show that a spermatocyte checkpoint regulates progression through pachytene to accommodate delays in meiotic recombination. We have previously show that the appearance of early recombination foci is delayed inTex19.1-/-spermatocytes during leptotene/zygotene, but someTex19.1-/-spermatocytes still successfully synapse their chromosomes. Therefore, we have used autosomally synapsedTex19.1-/-mouse spermatocytes to assess the consequences of delayed recombination on progression through pachytene. We show that these pachytene spermatocytes are enriched for early recombination foci. This skew is not accompanied by cell death and likely reflects delays in the generation and/or maturation of recombination foci. Moreover, patterns of axis elongation, chromatin modifications, and histone H1t expression are also all skewed towards earlier substages of pachytene suggesting these events are co-ordinately regulated. Importantly, the delay in histone H1t expression in response to loss ofTex19.1does not occur in aSpo11mutant background, suggesting that histone H1t expression is being delayed by a recombination-dependent checkpoint. These data indicate that a recombination-dependent checkpoint operates in mouse spermatocytes that can alter progression through pachytene to accommodate spermatocytes with some types of recombination defect.
The role of gene expression in the recent evolution of resistance in a model host parasite system
Authors: Lohman Brian K. , Steinel Natalie , Weber Jesse N. , Bolnick Daniel I. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractDamage by parasites is a perpetual challenge for hosts, often leading to the evolution of elaborate mechanisms of avoidance, immunity, or tolerance. Host resistance can evolve via changes in immune protein coding and/or expression. Heritable population differences in gene expression following infection can reveal mechanisms of immune evolution. We compared gene expression in infected and uninfected threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from two natural populations that differ in their resistance to a native cestode parasite,Schistocephalus solidus. Genes in both the innate and adaptive immune system were differentially expressed as a function of host population, infection status, and their interaction. These genes were enriched for loci controlling immune functions that we independently verified differ between host populations, or in response to infection. For instance, populations differ strongly in reactive oxygen (ROS) production, and we observed corresponding differences in expression of ROS-affecting loci. Differentially expressed genes also were involved in fibroblast activation, B-cell activation, and leukocyte trafficking. Coexpression network analysis identified two distinct immune processes contributing to stickleback resistance; several modules of genes are correlated with parasite survival while a different set of modules are correlated with suppression of cestode growth. Comparison of networks between populations showed resistant fish have a dynamic expression profile while susceptible fish are static. In summary, recent evolutionary divergence between two vertebrate populations has generated population-specific gene expression responses to parasite infection, which reveal a few immune modules likely to separately affect cestode establishment, and growth.
Akshaya Patra (Bhilai): purchasing and supply management
Authors: Roy Vivek , Sahay B.S. , Charan Parikshit 
Published: January 2017

Subject area
This case is intended for use in a course on supply chain management.

Study level/applicability
The study is applicable to MBA or executive MBA programme.

Case overview
The Akshaya Patra Foundation (TAPF) is an Indian non-governmental organisation which provides free mid-day meals to students in government schools. This case revolves around one of its kitchen facility (TAPF Bhilai) located in Bhilai in the Chhattisgarh province of India. TAPF Bhilai is about to witness a significant increase in the number of students to cater for. The Unit President, Vyomapada Das, is determined to ensure that there is no compromise in the standards of service in terms of quality and hygiene of meals in the wake of present expansions. As such, he recognizes that addressing a social cause brings additional responsibilities to them towards ensuring superior quality meals. He thereby lays a special emphasis upon the role of purchasing and supply in facilitating the scale expansion.

Expected learning outcomes
This case intends to demonstrate the process of managing, purchasing and supply for a socially responsible supply chain. Students must be able to appreciate the challenges associated with such a system. By applying the key theoretical concept of the social capital theory, they must also understand the nature of managerial responses inherent in these challenges.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code
CSS 9: Operations and Logistics.
Sakhumzi Restaurant: exploring new avenues
Authors: Urban Boris , Gaylard Alison 
Published: January 2017

Subject area
Entrepreneurship.

Study level/applicability
Postgraduate Management Diploma Masters of Business Administration.

Case overview
Sakhumzi Restaurant on Vilakazi Street, in Soweto’s Orlando West, had grown exponentially since it opened in October 2001. Vilakazi Street was named after a South African Zulu poet, novelist and educator, Benedict Wallet Vilakazi, who was the first black South African to obtain a PhD in 1946. The street was famous for housing two Nobel Peace Prize laureates – Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu – as well as for being the site of the shooting of Hector Pieterson during the Soweto Uprising. There were two museums in the vicinity that attracted thousands of tourists every year – Mandela House and the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum. The founder of Sakhumzi Restaurant, Sakhumzi Maqubela, had no experience of the hospitality industry but, nevertheless, had a “deep appreciation” of customer satisfaction, which he had learnt through his previous job in the banking sector. During the start-up phase of the restaurant, Maqubela immersed himself in books on business, focusing on leadership and communication. From such humble beginnings, the restaurant had become a thriving magnet for the tourist and local markets – tourists enjoyed sampling traditional Soweto fare, and for locals, Sakhumzi offered a culinary “home away from home”. Dressed smartly, Maqubela could be seen every day at his restaurant, mingling with patrons and greeting tour operators warmly. But what worried Maqubela was how to keep growing. Should he open another Sakhumzi? Would it work away from the tourist hub of Vilakazi Street? Or were there other options that he needed to explore?

Expected learning outcomes
The outcomes are as follows: evaluate the entrepreneurial mindset and how entrepreneurial opportunities are recognised, assess the individual-opportunity fit of an opportunity that is being pursued, navigate the entrepreneurial process, identify sources of entrepreneurial finance, identify and overcome resistance and obstacles to start-ups and growing the venture, rigorously analyse the potential of a new business opportunity/venture and assess the relevance of the practice of entrepreneurship to firms and society.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code
CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Portuguese primary healthcare – sustainability through quality management
Authors: Silva Sónia Duarte , Fonseca Ana 
Published: January 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to apply quality management tools and practices in the design of an integrated accreditation model for Local Health Trusts, in order to contribute to the sustainability of the Portuguese Primary HealthCare Service. Following the guidelines of the Portuguese Health Quality Strategy, the proposed model is an adaptation of the model from Agencia para la Calidad Sanitaria de Andaluzia.

Design/methodology/approach
The development of the integrated accreditation model was based on a literature review, complemented with observation and analysis of the usual working methods in a Local Health Trust (Western Oporto Health Trust).

Findings
Local Health Trusts include not only clinical management units but also non-clinical administrative units. Therefore, the National Model for Accreditation of HealthCare Institutions is not easily or directly applicable to them. To overcome this problem, the model proposed in this study incorporates ISO 9001 principles, widely accepted regarding organizational management. The success of the application of this model is highly dependent on the ability of public Primary HealthCare organizations to deal with potential problems such as resistance to change, lack of leadership and inadequate people management and involvement.

Originality/value
The integrated accreditation model proposed in this research is expected to promote the cohesion of Local Health Trust units, encouraging integrated quality management practices and continuous improvement strategies, leading Local Health Trusts, Primary Care and HealthCare in a global perspective toward sustainability.
Strategies to avoid liability of foreignness when entering a new market
Authors: Gorostidi-Martinez Haritz , Zhao Xiaokang 
Published: January 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the liability of foreignness (LOF) concept when entering a new market. Drawing on the past literature, the current research provides a summary of issues of the main LOF that companies face, as well as suggestions to help avoid such burdens. The research also attempts to provide a bibliographic analysis of the topic.Design/methodology/approachArticles were collected from All Database of ISI Web of Knowledge, using “all years,” “social science,” and “business economics” as search terms. Relevant papers on the LOF topic were retrieved and sorted to identify the main issues. Furthermore, a bibliographic analysis of the LOF concept was elaborated. HistCite software was used to create a table and a graph for the most relevant papers. A summary of issues on LOF strategies was created along with guidance for companies entering a new market.FindingsThe study sorts strategies to avoid LOF, including operational capabilities, entry modes, country of origin, legitimacy achievement, risk of politico-economic changes, and location selection. The study identified strategies for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) entering emerging and transitional economies, as well as suggestions when entering sophisticated economies.Practical implicationsThe current data summary informs managers from diverse organizations who attempt to enter a new market with particular sociopolitical contexts.Originality/valueA summary of issues on LOF and suggestions for overcoming these problems to help companies enter new markets have not been available. The current study attempts to fill that void, providing suggestions to managers and business owners who have moved or expanded their businesses to a foreign country or contemplate an international move.