bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Avocado oil characteristics of Mexican creole genotypes
Authors: Espinosa‐Alonso L. Gabriela , Paredes‐López Octavio , Valdez‐Morales Maribel , Oomah B. Dave 
Published: April 2017

Mexico is a major avocado producer and exporter, mainly the Hass variety, while the Mexican creole genotypes remain unexplored. We investigated the physicochemical characteristics, phenolics, and bioactivity of oils from six different Mexican avocado genotypes to increase their consumption and utilization. Oil content varied significantly among Mexican genotypes and increased linearly with dry matter content. Oils from Mexican creole genotypes varied significantly in UV absorbance and generally exhibited low secondary oxidation. Avocado oil displayed two intense fluorescence peaks at 675 and 720 nm (chlorophyll concentration) and two broad bands centered at 465 and 510 nm (oxidation products). The antioxidant activity of avocado oils was independent of total phenolic content and influenced the anti‐inflammatory (COX) activity and selectivity. Three thermal structural transitions occurred in avocado oils between −30 and 20°C. Thermal oxidation by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that avocado oils from Mexican genotypes exhibited higher thermal stability than those of Hass. Multivariate data analysis performed on 18 oil characteristics using principal component and cluster analysis demonstrates that fluorescence emission was the major factor segregating Mexican avocado genotypes. Mexican creole avocado is an important beneficial resource for the diversity of its oil quality compared to Hass variety.Practical applications: Mexican creole avocado oil exhibited superior distinctive physicochemical characteristics than Hass avocado variety. The fluorescence emission can be considered as the predictive attribute to characterize and identify the oil quality and distinguish creole avocado genotypes. Avocado oil from creole genotypes could be an important option to add value to these crop resources, ignored by their delicate post‐harvest management. Cold press avocado oil from creole genotypes provides a distinctive regional origin denomination of gourmet oil, enabling to break its confines by post‐harvest management, simultaneously conserving the huge genetic diversity of this valuable crop.Mexican creole avocado oils exhibit superior physicochemical characteristics than Hass. Fluorescence emission effectively segregates avocado oil quality by genotypes.
Shake table testing on restoring capability of double concave friction pendulum seismic isolation systems
Authors: Ponzo Felice Carlo , Di Cesare Antonio , Leccese Gianmarco , Nigro Domenico 
Published: April 2017

SummaryAfter an earthquake, non‐negligible residual displacements may affect the serviceability of a base isolated structure, if the isolation system does not possess a good restoring capability. The permanent offset does not affect the performance unless the design is problematic for utilities, also considering possible concerns related to the maintenance of the devices.Starting from experimental and analytical results of previous studies, the restoring capability of Double Concave Friction Pendulum bearings is investigated in this paper. A simplified design suggestion for the estimation of maximum expected residual displacements for currently used friction pendulum systems is then validated. The study is based on controlled‐displacement and seismic input experiments, both performed under unidirectional motion. Several shaking table tests have been carried out on a three‐dimensional isolated specimen structure. The same sequence of seismic inputs was applied considering three different conditions of sliding surfaces corresponding to low, medium and high friction. The accumulation of residual displacements is also investigated by means of nonlinear dynamic analysis. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the DSM‐5 Severity Indicator for Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Machado Paulo P.P. , Grilo Carlos M. , Crosby Ross D. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectiveThis study tested the new DSM‐5 severity criterion for anorexia nervosa (AN) based on proposed body mass index (BMI) cut‐points.MethodParticipants were a clinical sample of 201 treatment‐seeking patients diagnosed with DSM‐5 AN in Portugal. Participants were categorised based on DSM‐5 severity levels and were compared on demographic and clinical variables assessed with the Eating Disorder Examination‐Questionnaire.ResultsBased on DSM‐5 severity definitions for AN, 73 (36.3%) participants were categorised as mild (≥17.0 BMI), 40 (19.9%) as moderate (16–16.99 BMI), 30 (14.9%) as severe (15–15.99 BMI) and 58 (28.9%) as extreme (<15 BMI). The severity groups did not differ significantly in age or gender. Analyses comparing the severity groups on measures of eating‐disorder psychopathology revealed no significant differences on the Eating Disorder Examination‐Questionnaire global or subscale scores. The groups also did not differ significantly on the frequency of binge eating or purging episodes within the past 28 days.ConclusionsOur findings, in this clinical sample of patients with AN in Portugal, provide no evidence for the new DSM‐5 severity ratings based on BMI level. Further research on the validity of the DSM‐5 specifiers is needed and should test additional clinical or functional variables and especially prognostic utility for course and outcome across eating disorders. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Anorexia Nervosa, Theory and Treatment: Where Are We 35 Years on from Hilde Bruch's Foundation Lecture?
Authors: Treasure Janet , Cardi Valentina 
Published: April 2017

AbstractHilde Bruch's foundation lecture in 1982 is a milestone from which to survey current theory and treatment for anorexia nervosa. Bruch described problems in body perception, emotion processing and interpersonal relationships as core theoretical aspects of the illness and built her theory of psychopathology on these aspects, as well as on animal studies on attachment. She also noted that many psychological problems result as consequence of starvation. In the first part of this paper, we parse Bruch's clinical descriptions into elements of psychopathology (disturbances in body perception, attachment, emotion expression, perception and regulation, social comparison, interpersonal, and family and therapeutic relationships), in order to assemble and update the theoretical evidence for a model of the illness. In the second part, we describe and extend her description of three core targets of treatment: family relationships, patient's inner confusion and nutritional restoration. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
An SDN orchestrator for cloud data center: System design and experimental evaluation
Authors: Adami D. , Martini B. , Sgambelluri A. , Donatini L. , Gharbaoui M. , Castoldi P. , Giordano S. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe high volatility of Virtual Machine (VM) deployments, the unpredictable traffic patterns, and the oversubscription of Data Center (DC) network links give rise to new challenges in data delivery operations in cloud DCs. These challenges can be addressed through a flexible and agile control of DC networks, which is also coordinated, i.e., orchestrated, with the management of computing resources to improve the usage of DC resources while effectively meeting user demands. In this regard, the Software‐Defined Network (SDN) paradigm can play a key role thanks to automated and multi‐granular network control operations and to a more effective interworking with applications (e.g., cloud management platforms). This paper presents an SDN‐based orchestrator able to coordinate the provision of both cloud and network services while jointly arranging VMs and delivery path allocations based on the current load. This approach assures a proper network resource utilization as well as the convey of VM data across the DC network with better than best‐effort quality. A prototype is presented with focus on the software design and on the orchestration strategies exploiting measurement‐based load estimation mechanisms. The orchestrator has been thoroughly evaluated through a comprehensive set of experiments carried out using a cloud DC testbed. Results show the effectiveness of the proposed SDN‐based orchestration approach and the impact of the orchestration strategies on the DC resource utilization.
Assessing a cognitive music training for older participants: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Biasutti Michele , Mangiacotti Anthony 
Published: April 2017

ObjectivesIn a randomised controlled trial, we investigated whether a cognitive training based on rhythm–music and music improvisation exercises had positive effects on executive functions in older participants.MethodsThirty‐five residents in a guest home with mild–moderate cognitive impairment and healthy ageing were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 18) featuring cognitive music training composed of 12 bi‐weekly 70‐min sessions, and a control group (n = 17) attended 12 bi‐weekly 45‐min sessions of gymnastic activities offered by the institute. A neuropsychological test battery was administered at baseline and at the end of treatment, including the Mini‐Mental State Examination, verbal fluency test, Trail Making Test A, attentional matrices test and clock‐drawing test.ResultsPre‐test and post‐test comparison showed a significant improvement for the experimental group reflected in the Mini‐Mental State Examination (F(1,33) = 13.906;p < 0.001; pη2 = 0.296), verbal fluency test (VFL) (F(1,33) = 6.816;p < 0.013; pη2 = 0.171), and clock‐drawing test (F(1,29) = 16.744;p < 0.001; pη2 = 0.366), while the control group did not show any significant improvements. In addition, there was a tendency towards significance for the Trail Making Test A (F(1,20) = 3.268;p < 0.086; pη2 = 0.140). Regarding the attentional matrices test, no significant differences were found for the experimental group (F(1,29) = 2.833;p < 0.103; pη2 = 0.089), while the control group had a significant performance reduction (F(1,29) = 3.947;p < 0.050; pη2 = 0.120).ConclusionThe use of a cognitive protocol based on music‐rhythmic exercises and music improvisation exercises is associated with improved cognitive functions in older people with mild–moderate cognitive impairment regardless of the individual's degree of cognitive reserve. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The VEGF gene polymorphism impacts brain volume and arterial blood volume
Authors: Takeuchi Hikaru , Tomita Hiroaki , Taki Yasuyuki , Kikuchi Yoshie , Ono Chiaki , Yu Zhiqian , Sekiguchi Atsushi , Nouchi Rui , Kotozaki Yuka , Nakagawa Seishu , Miyauchi Carlos Makoto , Iizuka Kunio , Yokoyama Ryoichi , Shinada Takamitsu , Yamamoto Yuki , Hanawa Sugiko , Araki Tsuyoshi , Kunitoki Keiko , Sassa Yuko , Kawashima Ryuta 
Published: April 2017

AbstractVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in the angiogenesis and proliferation of various types of cells such as neurons, astroglia, and endothelial cells in the brain. A common polymorphism in the VEGF gene (−2578 C/A) is associated with circulating VEGF levels, cancers and Alzheimer's disease. Nonetheless, the effects of this polymorphism on normal human brain volume, arterial blood volume, and blood supply remain unclear. In this study, the effects of this polymorphism on the total gray matter volume (TGMV) and total white matter volume (TWMV) using T1‐weighted structural images and the total arterial blood volume (TABV) and mean cerebral blood flow (mCBF) during rest using arterial spin labeling (ASL) in 765 young adult humans were investigated. Voxel‐by‐voxel whole‐brain analyses of these measures were also performed. Multiple regression analyses with age and sex as covariates revealed that the VEGF genotype (number of C alleles) was significantly and positively correlated with TGMV, TWMV, and TABV as well as with regional gray and white matter volumes in widespread areas and regional arterial blood volume in some areas with high arterial blood volume. However, these regional associations were not seen when the corresponding global signal was included as a covariate in the multiple regression analyses, indicating that we failed to obtain evidence of region‐specific associations between these brain measures and the genotype. The results suggest that the VEGF‐2578C allele, is associated with changes in the vascular system that lead to increased blood volume and larger brain volume. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3516–3526, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Is tocilizumab a potential therapeutic option for refractory unicentric Castleman disease?
Authors: Abid Muhammad Bilal , Peck Rachel , Abid Muhammad Abbas , Al‐Sakkaf Wesam , Zhang Yuening , Dunnill Giles S. , Staines Konrad , Sequeiros Iara‐Maria , Lowry Lisa 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCastleman disease is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder with 2 distinctly defined clinical forms. While multicentric Castleman disease (UCD) poses a potential therapeutic challenge, unicentric variant has historically been considered curable with surgical resection. Hence, little is known to guide management of patients with UCD, refractory to surgical resection and combination chemotherapy. We present a case of a patient, negative for HIV and HHV‐8, who had an unsuccessful surgical intervention and no response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. He had severe paraneoplastic pemphigus and was treated with tocilizumab, an anti‐interleukin‐6 receptor monoclonal antibody that has demonstrated good response rates in multicentric Castleman disease but demonstrated no clinical response despite 2 months of treatment. Our report is the first to describe a lack of response to tocilizumab in the rare setting of refractory UCD and discuss potential for distinct disease biology.
Estimation of vertical water fluxes from temperature time series by the inverse numerical computer program FLUX‐BOT
Authors: Munz Matthias , Schmidt Christian 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe application of heat as a hydrological tracer has become a standard method for quantifying water fluxes between groundwater and surface water. The typical application is to estimate vertical water fluxes in the shallow subsurface beneath streams or lakes. For this purpose, time series of temperatures in the surface water and in the sediment are measured and evaluated by a vertical 1D representation of heat transport by advection and conduction. Several analytical solutions exist to calculate the vertical water flux from the measured temperatures. Although analytical solutions can be easily implemented, they are restricted to specific boundary conditions such as a sinusoidal upper temperature boundary. Numerical solutions offer higher flexibility in the selection of the boundary conditions. This, in turn, reduces the effort of data preprocessing, such as the extraction of the diurnal temperature variation from the raw data. Here, we present software to estimate water fluxes based on temperatures—FLUX‐BOT. FLUX‐BOT is a numerical code written in MATLAB that calculates vertical water fluxes in saturated sediments based on the inversion of measured temperature time series observed at multiple depths. FLUX‐BOT applies a centred Crank–Nicolson implicit finite difference scheme to solve the one‐dimensional heat advection–conduction equation. FLUX‐BOT includes functions for the inverse numerical routines, functions for visualizing the results, and a function for performing uncertainty analysis. We present applications of FLUX‐BOT to synthetic and to real temperature data to demonstrate its performance.
Assessment of spatial transferability of process‐based hydrological model parameters in two neighbouring catchments in the Himalayan Region
Authors: Nepal Santosh , Flügel Wolfgang‐Albert , Krause Peter , Fink Manfred , Fischer Christian 
Published: April 2017

AbstractEstimating the hydrological regime of ungauged catchments in the Himalayan region is challenging due to a lack of sufficient monitoring stations. In this paper, the spatial transferability of the model parameters of the process‐oriented J2000 hydrological model was investigated in 2 glaciated subcatchments of the Koshi river basin in eastern Nepal. The catchments have a high degree of similarity with respect to their static landscape features. The model was first calibrated (1986–1991) and validated (1992–1997) in the Dudh Koshi subcatchment. The calibrated and validated model parameters were then transferred to the nearby Tamor catchment (2001–2009). Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were carried out for both subcatchments to discover the sensitivity range of the parameters in the two catchments. The model represented the overall hydrograph well in both subcatchments, including baseflow, rising and falling limbs; however, the peak flows were underestimated. The efficiency results according to both Nash–Sutcliffe (ENS) and the coefficient of determination (r2) were above 0.84 in both catchments (1986–1997 in Dudh Koshi and 2001–2009 in Tamor). The ranking of the parameters in respect to their sensitivity matched well for both catchments while taking ENS and log Nash–Sutcliffe (LNS) efficiencies into account. However, there were some differences in sensitivity to ENS and LNS for moderately and less‐sensitive parameters, although the majority (13 out of 16 for ENS and 16 out of 16 for LNS) had a sensitivity response in a similar range. The generalized uncertainty likelihood estimation results suggest that the parameter uncertainty are most of the time within the range and the ensemble mean matches very good (ENS: 0.84) with observed discharge. The results indicate that transfer of the J2000 parameters to a neighbouring catchment in the Himalayan region with similar physiographic landscape characteristics is viable. This indicates the possibility of applying a calibrated process‐based J2000 model to other ungauged catchments in the Himalayan region, which could provide important insights into the hydrological system dynamics and provide much needed information to support water resources planning and management.
Temporal stability of soil moisture in an oasis of northwestern China
Authors: Zhang Shuaipu , Shao Mingan 
Published: April 2017

AbstractTemporal stability of soil moisture has been widely used in hydrological monitoring since it emerged. However, the spatial analysis of temporal stability at the landscape scale is often limited because of insufficient sampling numbers. This work made an effort to investigate the spatial variations of temporal stability of soil moisture in an oasis landscape. The specific objectives of the study were to explore the spatial patterns of temporal stability and to determine the controlling factors of temporal stability in the desert oasis. A time series of soil moisture measurements were gathered on 23 occasions at 118 locations over 3 years in a rectangular transect of approximately 100 km2. The nonparametric Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, standard deviation of relative difference (SDRD), and mean absolute bias error (MABE) were used to quantify the temporal stability of soil moisture. Results showed that the temporal stability of soil moisture was depth dependent and season dependent. The spatial pattern of soil moisture in a deep soil layer and between two same seasons generally had a high temporal stability. SDRD and MABE were spatially autocorrelated and exhibited strong spatial structures in the geographic space. The concept of temporal stability can be extended to describe the time‐stable areas of soil moisture with geostatistics. There were great differences between SDRD and MABE in describing the temporal stability of soil moisture and in identifying the controlling factors of temporal stability. In this case, MABE was a better alternative to estimate the areal mean soil moisture using representative locations than SDRD. Land use type, soil moisture condition, and soil particle composition were the dominant controls of temporal stability in the oasis. These insights could help to better understand the essence of temporal stability of soil moisture in arid regions.
Phospholipidomic Studies in Human Cornea From Climatic Droplet Keratopathy
Authors: Suarez Maria Fernanda , Piqueras Maria Carmen , Correa Leandro , Esposito Evangelina , Barros Maria Fernanda , Bhattacharya Sanjoy K. , Urrets‐Zavalia Julio A. , Serra Horacio M. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTClimatic droplet keratopathy (CDK) is an acquired degenerative disease predominantly affecting males over 40 years old. It results in progressive corneal opacities usually affecting both eyes. CDK is multifactorial and its etiology remains unknown. Our recent findings are consistent with CDK pathology being driven by environmental factors with oxidative stress playing an important role (e.g.,, contributing to lipid peroxidation) rather than climate factors. The changes in corneal lipid composition affected by environmental factors remain understudied. The purpose of this study was to systematically investigate phospholipids profile (phosphatidylcholine [PC] and phosphatidylserine [PS]) in corneas from CDK patients using tandem mass spectrometry. Samples from CDK areas and from non‐affected areas were obtained from patients diagnosed with CDK who underwent cataract surgery, were subjected to lipid extraction using a modified Bligh and Dyer method; protein concentrations were determined using the Bradford's method. Lipids were identified and subjected to ratiometric quantification using TSQ Quantum Access Max triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, using appropriate class specific lipid standards. All phospholipid classes showed lower total amounts in affected areas compared to control areas from CDK's corneas. Comparative profiles of two phospholipid classes (PC, PS) between CDK areas and control areas showed several common species between them. We also found a few unique lipids that were absent in CDK areas compared to controls and vice versa. Lower amount of phospholipids in CDK areas compared to control areas could be attributed to the lipid peroxidation in the affected corneal regions as a consequence of increased oxidative stress. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3920–3931, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR) Overexpression Reduces Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in Obese Mice
Authors: Qiu Yanyan , Sui Xianxian , Cao Shengxuan , Li Xiaobo , Ning Yanxia , Wang Songmei , Yin Lianhua , Zhi Xiuling 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTSteroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), a mitochondrial cholesterol delivery protein, plays a beneficial role in hyperlipidemia, NAFLD, and endothelial inflammation. Elevated circulating fatty acids and low grade inflammation are known as key risk factors of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In the present study, C57BL/6J mice were fed with HFD and infected with recombinant adenovirus expressing StAR by tail‐vein injection. Intraperitoneal glucose/insulin tolerance test was performed to assess the insulin sensitivity. Morphological analysis and intramuscular lipid determination were used to illustrate the adipose hypertrophy and ectopic fat accumulation in skeletal muscle. The levels of inflammatory factor and nitric oxide were determined by ELISA and classic Griess reagent methods, respectively. The fatty acids composition was analysis using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). The expression of genes associated with inflammation and insulin resistance were determined by Western blotting and qPCR to elucidate the underlying mechanism. We demonstrated that StAR overexpression ameliorated insulin resistance and systemic inflammatory response with the reduction of adipose hypertrophy and intramuscular lipid in HFD‐fed mice. In addition, StAR overexpression increased serum unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) and PPARγ expression in muscle and adipose tissue of obese mice. In conclusion, StAR may activate PPARγ by increasing UFAs, which leads to a protective role in systemic inflammation and insulin resistance in obese mice. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3932–3942, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.