bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altered Mucosal Microbiome Diversity and Disease Severity in Sjögren Syndrome
Authors: de Paiva Cintia S. , Jones Dan B. , Stern Michael E. , Bian Fang , Moore Quianta L. , Corbiere Shani , Streckfus Charles F. , Hutchinson Diane S. , Ajami Nadim J. , Petrosino Joseph F. , Pflugfelder Stephen C. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThere is mounting evidence that the microbiome has potent immunoregulatory functions. We assessed the effects of intestinal dysbiosis in a model of Sjögren syndrome (SS) by subjecting mice to desiccating stress (DS) and antibiotics (ABX). We characterized the conjunctival, tongue and fecal microbiome profiles of patients with SS. Severity of ocular surface and systemic disease was graded. 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing characterized the microbiota. ABX + DS mice had a significantly worse dry eye phenotype compared to controls, a decrease in Clostridium and an increase in Enterobacter, Escherichia/Shigella, and Pseudomonas in stool after ABX + DS for 10 days. Goblet cell density was significantly lower in ABX treated groups compared to controls. Stool from SS subjects had greater relative abundances of Pseudobutyrivibrio, Escherichia/Shigella, Blautia, and Streptococcus, while relative abundance of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella was reduced compared to controls. The severity of SS ocular and systemic disease was inversely correlated with microbial diversity. These findings suggest that SS is marked by a dysbiotic intestinal microbiome driven by low relative abundance of commensal bacteria and high relative abundance of potentially pathogenic genera that is associated with worse ocular mucosal disease in a mouse model of SS and in SS patients.
Hydrothermal synthesis of NiWO4 crystals for high performance non-enzymatic glucose biosensors
Authors: Mani Sivakumar , Vediyappan Veeramani , Chen Shen-Ming , Madhu Rajesh , Pitchaimani Veerakumar , Chang Jia-Yaw , Liu Shang-Bin 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA facile hydrothermal route for the synthesis of ordered NiWO4 nanocrystals, which show promising applications as high performance non-enzymatic glucose sensor is reported. The NiWO4-modified electrodes showed excellent sensitivity (269.6 μA mM−1 cm−2) and low detection limit (0.18 μM) for detection of glucose with desirable selectivity, stability and tolerance to interference, rendering their prospective applications as cost-effective, enzyme-free glucose sensors.
Engineering a predatory bacterium as a proficient killer agent for intracellular bio-products recovery: The case of the polyhydroxyalkanoates
Authors: Martínez Virginia , Herencias Cristina , Jurkevitch Edouard , Prieto M. Auxiliadora 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis work examines the potential of the predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD100, an obligate predator of other Gram-negative bacteria, as an external cell-lytic agent for recovering valuable intracellular bio-products produced by prey cultures. The bio-product targets to be recovered were polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) produced naturally by Pseudomonas putida and Cupriavidus necator, or by recombinant Escherichia coli strains. B. bacteriovorus with a mutated PHA depolymerase gene to prevent the unwanted breakdown of the bio-product allowed the recovery of up to 80% of that accumulated by the prey bacteria, even at high biomass concentrations. This innovative downstream process highlights how B. bacteriovorus can be used as a novel, biological lytic agent for the inexpensive, industrial scale recovery of intracellular products from different Gram-negative prey cultures.
Osteoarthritis and all-cause mortality in worldwide populations: grading the evidence from a meta-analysis
Authors: Xing Dan , Xu Yuankun , Liu Qiang , Ke Yan , Wang Bin , Li Zhichang , Lin Jianhao 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe objective of this study is to investigate the association between osteoarthritis (OA) and all-cause mortality in worldwide populations and to develop recommendations according to GRADE evidence levels. Literature search through Nov 2015 was performed using the electronic databases (including MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBSCO and Cochrane library). The prospective cohort trials that investigated the association between the symptomatic OA (SxOA) or radiological OA (ROA) and all-cause mortality were identified. Hazard ratios (HR) of all-cause mortality in patients with RxOA or ROA were pooled respectively. The evidence quality was evaluated using the GRADE system, while the recommendations were taken according to the quality. Nine of the published literature met the eligible criteria. Meta-analysis revealed that there was no significant difference in the association between SxOA and all-cause mortality (HR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.68–1.23) and between ROA and all-cause mortality (HR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.95–1.35). The overall GARDE evidence quality was very low, which will lower our confidence in taking recommendations. To summarize, there was no reliable and confident evidence existed currently in respect of the association between OA and all-cause mortality. Due to the very low level of evidence quality currently, high-quality studies are still required.
Electron pair escape from fullerene cage via collective modes
Authors: Schüler Michael , Pavlyukh Yaroslav , Bolognesi Paola , Avaldi Lorenzo , Berakdar Jamal 
Published: April 2016

AbstractExperiment and theory evidence a new pathway for correlated two-electron release from many-body compounds following collective excitation by a single photon. Using nonequilibrium Green’s function approach we trace plasmon oscillations as the key ingredient of the effective electron-electron interaction that governs the correlated pair emission in a dynamic many-body environment. Results from a full ab initio implementation for C60 fullerene are in line with experimental observations. The findings endorse the correlated two-electron photoemission as a powerful tool to access electronic correlation in complex systems.
The effect of bean origin and temperature on grinding roasted coffee
Authors: Uman Erol , Colonna-Dashwood Maxwell , Colonna-Dashwood Lesley , Perger Matthew , Klatt Christian , Leighton Stephen , Miller Brian , Butler Keith T. , Melot Brent C. , Speirs Rory W. , Hendon Christopher H. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractCoffee is prepared by the extraction of a complex array of organic molecules from the roasted bean, which has been ground into fine particulates. The extraction depends on temperature, water chemistry and also the accessible surface area of the coffee. Here we investigate whether variations in the production processes of single origin coffee beans affects the particle size distribution upon grinding. We find that the particle size distribution is independent of the bean origin and processing method. Furthermore, we elucidate the influence of bean temperature on particle size distribution, concluding that grinding cold results in a narrower particle size distribution, and reduced mean particle size. We anticipate these results will influence the production of coffee industrially, as well as contribute to how we store and use coffee daily.
Genetic dissection of independent and cooperative transcriptional activation by the LysR-type activator ThnR at close divergent promoters
Authors: Rivas-Marín Elena , Floriano Belén , Santero Eduardo 
Published: April 2016

AbstractRegulation of tetralin biodegradation operons is one of the examples of unconventional LysR-type mediated transcriptional regulation. ThnR activates transcription from two divergent and closely located promoters PB and PC. Although ThnR activates each promoter independently, transcription from each one increases when both promoters are together. Mutational analysis of the intergenic region shows that cooperative transcription is achieved through formation of a ThnR complex when bound to its respective sites at each promoter, via formation of a DNA loop. Mutations also defined ThnR contact sites that are important for independent transcriptional activation at each promoter. A mutation at the PB promoter region, which abolishes its independent transcription, does not affect at all PB transcription in the presence of the divergent promoter PC, thus indicating that the complex formed via DNA loop can compensate for the deficiencies in the correct protein-DNA interaction at one of the promoters. Combination of mutations in both promoters identifies a region at PC that is not important for its independent transcription but it is essential for cooperative transcription from both promoters. This work provides new insights into the diversity and complexity of activation mechanisms used by the most abundant type of bacterial transcriptional regulators.
Distinct stress conditions result in aggregation of proteins with similar properties
Authors: Weids Alan J. , Ibstedt Sebastian , Tamás Markus J. , Grant Chris M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractProtein aggregation is the abnormal association of proteins into larger aggregate structures which tend to be insoluble. This occurs during normal physiological conditions and in response to age or stress-induced protein misfolding and denaturation. In this present study we have defined the range of proteins that aggregate in yeast cells during normal growth and after exposure to stress conditions including an oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide), a heavy metal stress (arsenite) and an amino acid analogue (azetidine-2-carboxylic acid). Our data indicate that these three stress conditions, which work by distinct mechanisms, promote the aggregation of similar types of proteins probably by lowering the threshold of protein aggregation. The proteins that aggregate during physiological conditions and stress share several features; however, stress conditions shift the criteria for protein aggregation propensity. This suggests that the proteins in aggregates are intrinsically aggregation-prone, rather than being proteins which are affected in a stress-specific manner. We additionally identified significant overlaps between stress aggregating yeast proteins and proteins that aggregate during ageing in yeast and C. elegans. We suggest that similar mechanisms may apply in disease- and non-disease settings and that the factors and components that control protein aggregation may be evolutionary conserved.
Reduced costs of reproduction in females mediate a shift from a male-biased to a female-biased lifespan in humans
Authors: Bolund Elisabeth , Lummaa Virpi , Smith Ken R. , Hanson Heidi A. , Maklakov Alexei A. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe causes underlying sex differences in lifespan are strongly debated. While females commonly outlive males in humans, this is generally less pronounced in societies before the demographic transition to low mortality and fertility rates. Life-history theory suggests that reduced reproduction should benefit female lifespan when females pay higher costs of reproduction than males. Using unique longitudinal demographic records on 140,600 reproducing individuals from the Utah Population Database, we demonstrate a shift from male-biased to female-biased adult lifespans in individuals born before versus during the demographic transition. Only women paid a cost of reproduction in terms of shortened post-reproductive lifespan at high parities. Therefore, as fertility decreased over time, female lifespan increased, while male lifespan remained largely stable, supporting the theory that differential costs of reproduction in the two sexes result in the shifting patterns of sex differences in lifespan across human populations. Further, our results have important implications for demographic forecasts in human populations and advance our understanding of lifespan evolution.
The Production of Complement Clauses in Children With Language Impairment
Authors: Steel Gillian , Rose Miranda , Eadie Patricia 
Published: April 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this research was to provide a comprehensive description of complement-clause production in children with language impairment. Complement clauses were examined with respect to types of complement structure produced, verb use, and both semantic and syntactic accuracy.MethodA group of 17 children with language impairment (mean age = 6;10 [years; months]) was compared with a group of 17 younger children with typical language development (mean age = 4;6). Examples of both nonfinite complements with different subjects and sentential complements involving a range of complement-taking verbs were collected using specially designed elicitation tasks.ResultsThe children with language impairment were able to construct both types of complement clauses, had access to a range of verbs that are utilized within these constructions, and had knowledge of the grammatical constraints imposed by these verbs. However, they were more restricted in their production of sentential complements and produced significantly fewer semantically accurate complements (both finite and nonfinite) than the children with typical language development.ConclusionChildren with language impairment evidenced deviant rather than merely delayed development in the area of complement-clause production. Complex sentences such as complement clauses need to be targeted in language intervention programs.Supplemental Materialhttps://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14963676
Differentiating School-Aged Children With and Without Language Impairment Using Tense and Grammaticality Measures From a Narrative Task
Authors: Guo Ling-Yu , Schneider Phyllis 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the finite verb morphology composite (FVMC), number of errors per C-unit (Errors/CU), and percent grammatical C-units (PGCUs) in differentiating school-aged children with language impairment (LI) and those with typical language development (TL).

Method
Participants were 61 six-year-olds (50 TL, 11 LI) and 67 eight-year-olds (50 TL, 17 LI). Narrative samples were collected using a story-generation format. FVMC, Errors/CU, and PGCUs were computed from the samples.

Results
All of the three measures showed acceptable to good diagnostic accuracy at age 6, but only PGCUs showed acceptable diagnostic accuracy at age 8 when sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios were considered.

Conclusion
FVMC, Errors/CU, and PGCUs can all be used in combination with other tools to identify school-aged children with LI. However, FVMC and Errors/CU may be an appropriate diagnostic tool up to age 6. PGCUs, in contrast, may be a sensitive tool for identifying children with LI at least up to age 8 years.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14963787
Design of LCL and LLCL filters for single‐phase grid connected converters
Authors: Sanatkar‐Chayjani Majid , Monfared Mohammad 
Published: April 2016

Compared with the traditional L filters, the high order LCL and LLCL filters for grid integration of voltage source converters offer better switching harmonic attenuation even with smaller passive elements. However, the inherent resonance of the high order filters complicates the control of the converter and also the design of filter parameters, especially at presence of digital delays and grid impedance variations. This study proposes a simple design procedure for the LCL and the LLCL filters of a delay‐based stabilised converter that satisfies the predefined constraints on the converter current ripple, grid current harmonics and the reactive power of the capacitor and at the same time, ensures adequate stability of the simple single loop current control against the resonance. Moreover, the effect of grid impedance on the filter performance and controller stability is taken into account, thus the proposed method is robust against a wide range of grid impedance variations. Experimental results for a 3 kW test rig under steady state and transient conditions confirm the effectiveness of the proposed filter design algorithm.
Kinetics on the turbidity change of wheat starch during its retrogradation
Authors: Fukuzawa Soma , Ogawa Takenobu , Nakagawa Kyuya , Adachi Shuji 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Wheat starch dispersions of 10–40% (w/w) were gelatinized and the change in turbidity of each solution during storage was measured in the 400–1100 nm wavelength range. The relative transmittance, defined as the ratio of transmittance at any storage time to that at the initial time, decreased when the solutions were stored at 5 and 30 °C; the decrease, reflecting the progress of retrogradation, was larger at 5 °C than at 30 °C. Most of the changes in relative transmission taking place over 14 days were achieved during the first 90 min. The change in the relative transmittance is inversely proportional to the energy required for deformation. The kinetics on change in relative transmittance can be expressed by Weibull equation. The larger rate constant at higher starch concentration could be ascribed to the state of the starch granules, which depended on starch concentration.
Assessing Italian wine quality and prices: de gustibus non disputandum est
Authors: Cacchiarelli Luca , Carbone Anna , Esti Marco , Laureti Tiziana , Sorrentino Alessandro 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
The paper focuses on high segments of the Italian wine market. The goal is twofold. First, it aims at understanding to what extent wine experts are influenced by specific quality clues. Second, it seeks at assessing the role and effectiveness of different quality clues in the creation of price

Design/methodology/approach
To meet these goals two independent equations are set. The first -estimated via an ordered logit- explaining the rating of a wine with a bunch of attributes of the wine and of its production process. The second equation is a hedonic price model –estimated via an interval regression- where price is a function of a large number of quality clues. The analysis covers 2,523 wines from three Italian Regions as reviewed by Veronelli guide, 2010 edition

Findings
The model estimation results indicates that: i) few attributes seems to systematically impact experts’ judgments; ii) many quality clues are associated with significant price premiums; iii) in some cases consumers give value to quality clues along with Veronelli’s experts while in other cases there is no such alignment

Originality/value
This study advances the literature in two different ways. First, modeling two distinct equations that describe the factors affecting, on the one side, experts’ evaluations, and, on the other side, market prices. Second, as it assesses the price premium associated to quality clues whose value hasn’t been considered so far in hedonic price models. We affirm that assessing factors that influence experts brings more transparency and a better segmentation in the guide market and in all experts’ quality signals.
Assessing the table grape supply chain performance in China - a value chain analysis perspective
Authors: Deng Lei , Wang Ruimei , Dong Tian , Feng Jianying , Weisong Mu 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
The paper aims to understand the cost-benefits, financial performance and relationships of the key actors in the table grape supply chain by using value chain analysis method.

Design/methodology/approach
This study presents the result of analysis on financial performance of key actors in three table grape supply chains and the relationship among them using value chain analysis. The table grape supply chain was analyzed using data collected from a field survey in 5 regions of China. The key actors of these chains were interviewed. The costs, benefits, operational and financial performance of supply chain actors were analyzed.

Findings
The results show that, despite receiving the highest proportion of total net profit and making the highest value creation, vinegrowers are facing fluctuant and uncertain commercial returns due to the production and market risks, fluctuation of farm-gate price and the buyer dominant relationship with wholesalers. Moreover, although it is profitable to all key actors, table grape supply chain still faces several challenges including unorganized and dispersed production systems, power asymmetry and lack of information sharing, all of which are the barriers to the improvement of the whole chain performance and the long term sustainability of this important industry.

Originality/value
This paper not only helps to understand the relationship among the key actors and the critical factors impacting on the whole chain performance, but also offer useful guidance for the policy makers and key actors to achieve further improvement of the table grape supply chain performance and provide valuable implications for the future studies on agriculture products.
An application of the theory of planned behaviour to predict intention to consume African indigenous foods in Kenya
Authors: Gakobo Thomas Waweru , Jere Mlenga G. 
Published: April 2016

PurposeAfrican indigenous foods have a special place and role in many African cultures for the sustenance of life and provisions food substances and health. However, it has been observed that consumption of these foods is declining. The purpose of this study is to establish the determinants of consumption intentions of African indigenous foods in Kenya using the theory of planned behaviour.Design/methodology/approachA stratified random sample of 319 respondents drawn from Nairobi County was surveyed using a self-completion instrument. Partial least squares analysis was used to test the hypotheses regarding the relationship between the predictor constructs (namely; personal attitude towards African indigenous foods, subjective norm, and perceived behaviour control) and consumption intentions.FindingsAll the predictor constructs were found to positively influence consumption intention and collectively explained 62.3% of the variance in consumption intention for African indigenous foods. There is a discrepancy between our findings on intention to consume AIFs and the reported declining consumption. Marketers and policy makers should address factors in the intention-consumption behaviour relation in addition to focusing on the antecedents of intentionOriginality/valueThis study employs the theory of planned behaviour to investigate the determinants of consumption intention for African indigenous foods in Kenya.
Should Management Practice Adapt to Cultural Values? The Evidence Against Power Distance Adaptation
Authors: Rao Alaka N. , Pearce Jone L. 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
We focus on the cultural concept of power distance to test whether or not culture-practice fit or universal supervisory practices are associated with team collaboration, innovation, current and future team performance. This test is possible because power distance is conceptually deconstructed and scales developed that reliably and validly differentiate between the societal level values and workplace practices. Next, drawing on these measures, we test the culture-fit-vs.-universal practices hypotheses in a sample of ethnically similar employees dispersed across the United States and India.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from a survey administered to employees and their supervisors in a Non-Western Multinational Corporation.

Findings
We find support for the universal-practices perspective in this study. Those Indian and local managers who were low in interpersonal power distance, regardless of their subordinates’ societal power-distance cultural values had better team collaboration, innovation, and future performance. Trust in fellow team members was found to mediate these relationships.

Originality/value
Findings from this study contribute to our understanding of power distance, and also provide insight into the central question of when and how management practices should be adapted to local cultures.