bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Discrete element modeling of vibrating tillage tools
Authors: Keppler Istvan , Hudoba Zoltan , Oldal Istvan , Csatar Attila , Fenyvesi Laszlo 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The analysis of the effect of tool vibrations on the measured and simulated draught forces of cultivator tools. This paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach
– Soil bin measurements and discrete element method (DEM)-based simulations.

Findings
– The soil-tool interaction induced free vibrations of cultivator tools have significant impact on the measured draught force, and the simulations made by using vibrating tools give similar results.

Research limitations/implications
– Accurate calibration of discrete element model parameters can be done based on the reproduction of the whole Mohr-Coulomb failure line. Draught force ratio – velocity ratio values seem to be independent of tool geometry and soil conditions in case of velocity ratio higher than 2.

Practical implications
– DEM-based numerical simulations can be used for modeling the effect of tool vibration on the draught force values. During discrete element simulations of soil-tool interaction, the effect of tool vibration may not be neglected.

Originality/value
– The paper demonstrates that during the discrete element modelling of the soil-tool interaction, the tool vibration phenomenon should not be neglected.
Guest editorial: games for learning and dialogue on humanitarian work
Authors: Harteveld Casper , Suarez Pablo 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this guest editorial is to provide the introduction and context of the Special Issue on Games for Learning and Dialogue on Humanitarian Work. The Special Issue aims to promote the development, deployment, and analysis of games for the humanitarian sector: it investigates how games can meaningfully engage people and organizations in experiencing, understanding and improving complex systems.

Design/methodology/approach
– The editorial describes the need and motivation for building a body of knowledge on the use of games in the humanitarian sector. It further gives an overview of the three papers included in this Special Issue and how they contribute to building such a body of knowledge.

Findings
– Games enable participants to experience the complexity of humanitarian systems, linking decisions with consequences. Even though game-like approaches have been used for decades in disaster management, there is little written about it. The papers included in this Special Issue provide insights and frameworks to learn from, ranging from online tools that reveal inefficiencies in supply chains, to simulated emergency response exercises, to applied improvisation. In addition, the current papers highlight the need for more empirical study of the impact of games.

Research implications/limitations
– The Special Issue describes three unique cases, which by no means cover the entire practice of games in the humanitarian sector. However, they do provide insight into the diversity of game-like approaches and signal the current state of practice and research of games for learning and dialogue on humanitarian work.

Practical implications
– This editorial gives an overview of how games could be used in practice and why they are relevant for humanitarian work. It further highlights how the contributions in the Special Issue may help in improving humanitarian work.

Originality/value
– Although review papers and Special Issues have appeared on particular topics such as climate change, to our knowledge no significant academic attention has been given to humanitarian work with regards to games.
The value of fourth-party logistics services in the humanitarian supply chain
Authors: Abidi Hella , de Leeuw Sander , Klumpp Matthias 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to identify the value of fourth-party logistics (4PL) services in a humanitarian supply chain. Furthermore, it shows a framework for a fourth-party humanitarian logistics concept.Design/methodology/approach– The research paper presents a framework of fourth-party humanitarian logistics based on the four core components described by Christopher (2005) which was evaluated with a nonlinear approach called analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The AHP method explores qualitative and quantitative decision-making criteria in case of solving multi-attribute and complex problems. In total, seven experts from academia and practice have contributed to this research, resulting in a better understanding of the decisive needs of humanitarian supply chain actors for implementing and integrating a 4PL concept.Findings– The research shows an increased value for humanitarian supply chain actors of establishing a 4PL concept. The results present a positive influence of 4PL in complex disasters environments and provide key drivers for increasing and simplifying collaboration between the humanitarian supply chain actors.Research limitations/implications– Future research has to consider different disaster types and needs to further emphasize the added value for beneficiaries of implementing a 4PL concept in a humanitarian supply chain environment. Further research should preferably also consider case studies in order to analyse challenges, drawbacks and benefits of this concept (qualitative and quantitative factors) in a real-life humanitarian supply chain setting.Practical implications– The research offers managerial insights into the use of a 4PL concept in the humanitarian supply chain environment to improve efficiency due to an improved collaboration between the humanitarian supply chain actors.Originality/value– The research paper investigates an under-researched topic in the humanitarian supply chain environment. For humanitarian supply chain actors outsourcing their activities to a 4PL service provider could secure collaboration, increase service levels as well as efficiency and therefore create additional value.
Effects of inviting customers to share responsibility in the context of impersonal service
Authors: Ku Hsuan-Hsuan , Hsu Ko-Hsin 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how customers respond to a service provider’s invitation to share responsibility for the experience of an “impersonal” service that is not customized but available to all customers on an equal footing; specifically to assess the extent to which the tendency to psychological reactance moderates their responses.Design/methodology/approach– Four studies investigate the effects of such invitations on perceptions of shared responsibility, the mechanism underlying that process, the effect of trait reactance on susceptibility to an invitation, and the extent to which a predisposition to reactance moderates the effect of an invitation on willingness to share blame for service failure.Findings– Service customers are more likely to feel a sense of shared responsibility and less likely to experience reactance in response to a “reciprocal” invitation to participate in “co-creation” of the experience than to a more “unilateral” invitation. That heightened perception of shared responsibility was restricted to low-reactance individuals, who were also more willing to share the blame for service failure in response to a unilateral invitation and even more so when it was reciprocal. The willingness of high-reactance individuals was unaffected by the type of invitation.Originality/value– Whereas the relevant literature has focussed mainly on person-to-person service transactions, the studies reported here show how customers may be converted into active partners in an “impersonal” service encounter.
Effects of short RNA structural analogues against hepatitis C virus genotypes 2, 3 and 4 in replicon cells
Authors: Elshaffei Ismail M , Gupta Nidhi , Wu Catherine H , Wu David C , Hammad Lamiaa N , Abo‐Elmatty Dina M , Mesbah Noha M , Wu George Y 
Published: April 2015

ObjectiveTo determine whether computer‐predicted short RNA structural analogues could inhibit hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2a, 3a and 4a replication in cultured cells.MethodsShort RNA sequences, X12, X12a and X12b, designed to be identical in secondary structure to the X region in the 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of the HCV 1b genome, as well as shorter stem‐loop components of X region, were inserted into a plasmid and transfected into separate Huh7.5 human hepatoma cells stably transfected with subgenomic replicons for genotypes 2a, 3a and 4a. All replicons included a firefly luciferase reporter gene. After 48 h of plasmid transfection, the inhibition of HCV replication was determined by HCV RNA isolation and quantification by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and luciferase assays.ResultsAll the secondary structural analogues to genotype 1b X region cross‐inhibited genotype 2a, 3a and 4a replicons. The maximum inhibition by genotype 1b X region structural analogues was obtained against genotype 2a cells in which X12, X12a and X12b inhibited replication by 30%, 63% and 72%, respectively (P < 0.05 for all), compared to an unrelated hepatitis B viral analogue.ConclusionsDespite substantial sequence dissimilarity, HCV RNA genotype 1b X region analogues cross‐inhibited the replication of HCV genotypes 2a, 3a and 4a. Particular conformations and not the sequence of the stem‐loops of the X region are involved in HCV replication.
Metaproteomics of complex microbial communities in biogas plants
Authors: Heyer Robert , Kohrs Fabian , Reichl Udo , Benndorf Dirk 
Published: April 2015

SummaryProduction of biogas from agricultural biomass or organic wastes is an important source of renewable energy. Although thousands of biogas plants (BGPs) are operating in Germany, there is still a significant potential to improve yields, e.g. from fibrous substrates. In addition, process stability should be optimized. Besides evaluating technical measures, improving our understanding of microbial communities involved into the biogas process is considered as key issue to achieve both goals. Microscopic and genetic approaches to analyse community composition provide valuable experimental data, but fail to detect presence of enzymes and overall metabolic activity of microbial communities. Therefore, metaproteomics can significantly contribute to elucidate critical steps in the conversion of biomass to methane as it delivers combined functional and phylogenetic data. Although metaproteomics analyses are challenged by sample impurities, sample complexity and redundant protein identification, and are still limited by the availability of genome sequences, recent studies have shown promising results. In the following, the workflow and potential pitfalls for metaproteomics of samples from full‐scale BGP are discussed. In addition, the value of metaproteomics to contribute to the further advancement of microbial ecology is evaluated. Finally, synergistic effects expected when metaproteomics is combined with advanced imaging techniques, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and metabolomics are addressed.
Prognostic significance of the pN classification supplemented by body mass index for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Feixiang , Duan Hao , Cai Muyan , Fu Jianhua , Ma Guowei , Yang Han , Tan Zihui , Hu Ronggui , Lin Peng , Zhang Xu 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundBody mass index (BMI) has been associated with the risk of esophageal cancer. But the influence of BMI on postoperative complications and prognosis has always been controversial.MethodsBetween 2000 and 2007, 424 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) underwent R0 esophagectomy at our center without neoadjuvant therapy. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses to identify prognostic factors for survival.ResultsPatients were divided into three groups according to Asian‐specific BMI cut‐off value: underweight (n = 45), normal weight (n = 228), and overweight and obese (n = 151). Mean follow‐up time was 39 months. The five‐year overall survival (OS) rate was 19%, 34%, and 42% for underweight, normal weight, and overweight and obese, respectively (P < 0.001). The five‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) rate was 24%, 41%, and 74% for underweight, normal weight, and overweight and obese, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that pT, pN, and BMI were independent prognostic factors for DFS and OS. The C‐index to the combined model showed improved predictive ability when compared to the pN classification (0.779 vs. 0.734).ConclusionPreoperative BMI was an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS. The proposed new prognostic model with the pN classification supplemented by BMI might improve the ability to discriminate ESCC patients' outcome.
Cocaine‐related stimuli impair inhibitory control in cocaine users following short stimulus onset asynchronies
Authors: Pike Erika , Marks Katherine R. , Stoops William W. , Rush Craig R. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackground and AimsCocaine users display a significant increase in inhibitory failures following cocaine‐related images compared with neutral images in a modified cued Go/No‐Go task, the Attentional Bias–Behavioral Activation (ABBA) task. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) impacts inhibitory failures on the ABBA task.DesignA between‐subjects experiment.SettingAn out‐patient research unit in the United States.ParticipantsNinety‐one cocaine users recruited from the community.MeasurementsParticipants were assigned to groups in which they saw either cocaine (n = 46) or neutral (n = 45) images as the go condition. Cues were presented for one of five SOAs (i.e. 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 ms) before a go or no‐go target was displayed.FindingsParticipants in the cocaine go condition had a significantly higher proportion of inhibitory failures to no‐go targets (F4,356 = 2.50, P = 0.04) with significantly more inhibitory failures following all SOAs (P < 0.05) than those in the neutral go condition. Within the cocaine go condition, significantly more inhibitory failures were observed following the 100 and 200 ms SOAs than after the 300, 400 or 500 ms SOAs (P < 0.05).ConclusionsCocaine‐related stimuli appear to decrease inhibitory control in cocaine users at short (100 and 200 ms) stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs: the amount of time between the start of one stimulus and the start of another stimulus), but not at longer (300, 400 and 500 ms) SOAs.
Dry season watering alters the significance of climate factors influencing phenology and growth of saplings of savanna woody species in centralZambia, southernAfrica
Authors: Chidumayo Emmanuel 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAlthough tree growth in southernAfrican savannas is correlated with rainfall in the wet season, some studies have shown that tree growth is controlled more by rainfall in the dry season. If more rainfall occurred in the dry season in future climates, it would affect the growth of savanna trees, especially saplings that have shallower roots which limit access to subsoil water during the dry season when leaf flush and shoot extension occur. Recent paleobotanical evidence has revealed that there was relatively more precipitation in the dry season in easternAfrica in the Eocene than under the current climate. Saplings therefore can be expected to respond more to water addition during the dry season than mature trees that have more stored water and deeper roots that access subsoil water. Accordingly,Ihypothesized that irrigation in the dry season should (i) advance the onset of the growing season, (ii) increase growth rates and (iii) alter the growth responses of saplings to climate factors. To test these hypotheses saplings of five savanna woody species were irrigated during the hot‐dry season at a site in centralZambia and their monthly and annual growth rates compared to those of conspecifics growing under control conditions. Although the responses among the species were variable, all irrigated saplings had significantly higher monthly and annual growth rates than control plants. In addition, dry season watering significantly altered the climatic determinants of sapling growth by either strengthening the role of the same climatic factors that were important under control conditions or displacing them altogether. In conclusion, more precipitation during the hot‐dry season is likely to have significant positive effects on sapling growth and consequently reduce the sapling‐tree transition periods and promote future tree population recruitment in some southern African savanna tree species.
2ME2 increase radiation‐induced apoptosis of keloid fibroblasts by targeting HIF‐1α in vitro
Authors: Long Fei , Si Loubin , Long Xiao , Yang Bob , Wang Xiaojun , Zhang Fuquan 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundRadiation therapy is considered to be a treatment for keloid scarring; however, radioresistance has been shown to be a serious impediment to treatment efficacy. There is therefore a need for the discovery of novel critical molecular targets whose inhibition might enhance the radiotherapeutic response. An elevated level of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)‐1α expression after radiation therapy in keloid fibroblasts has been demonstrated in our recent experiments. Therefore, we suggested there was a possible close relationship between HIF‐1α and keloid radioresistance. The current study aimed to investigate whether target HIF‐1α may enhance the radiotherapeutic efficacy of keloids.Methods2‐methoxyestradiol (2ME2) was applied to inhibit HIF‐1α expression, and the treatment results were assessed by cell proliferation, apoptosis and radiosensitivity. A lentivirus‐mediated small interfering RNA (siRNA) transduction method was used to block the expression of HIF‐1α gene.ResultsBoth mRNA and protein levels can be effectively inhibited after the knockdown of HIF‐1α, leading to a significant increase of radiation‐induced apoptosis in keloid fibroblasts. Our experiment also demonstrated that 2ME2 could effectively inhibit the protein expression of HIF‐1α, which significantly increased the late stage of radiation‐induced apoptosis of keloid fibroblasts.ConclusionsThe present study indicates that HIF‐1α might serve as a therapeutic target for keloids. Furthermore, suppression of HIF‐1α by 2ME2 may be a promising therapeutic adjuvant in radiation therapy for keloids.
Anti‐Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody titres correlate well with disease activity in children with Crohn's disease
Authors: El‐Matary Wael , Dupuis Karine , Sokoro AbdulRazaq 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAimThe role of noninvasive biologic markers for disease activity is very important in children with Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to assess an association between disease activity and quantitative serum anti‐Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA) titres.MethodsAnti‐Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody immunoglobulin (Ig) A and immunoglobulin G titres, paediatric Crohn's disease activity index (PCDAI), serum albumin and C‐reactive protein (CRP) were repeatedly measured simultaneously in children with Crohn's disease. A possible association between ASCA IgA and IgG titres and changes in PCDAI was examined.ResultsSerial 136 measurements of ASCA IgA and IgG titres were documented in 57 children with Crohn's disease over a mean duration of 3.1 ± 2.1 years. In a univariate linear regression model, there were significant correlations between ASCA IgA titres and PCDAI (p < 0.001), CRP (p <0.01) and low serum albumin (p < 0.001), respectively. Similarly, ASCA IgG titres significantly correlated with PCDAI, CRP and low serum albumin.ConclusionBoth ASCA IgA and IgG titres seemed to correlate well with clinical Crohn's disease activity in children. Measuring these antibodies may be considered during routine clinical care for those patients.
The renal protective effect of angiotensin receptor blockers depends on intra‐individual response variation in multiple risk markers
Authors: Schievink Bauke , de Zeeuw Dick , Parving Hans‐Henrik , Rossing Peter , Lambers Heerspink Hiddo Jan 
Published: April 2015

AimsAngiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are renoprotective and targeted to blood pressure. However, ARBs have multiple other (off‐target) effects which may affect renal outcome. It is unknown whether on‐target and off‐target effects are congruent within individuals. If not, this variation in short term effects may have important implications for the prediction of individual long term renal outcomes. Our aim was to assess intra‐individual variability in multiple parameters in response to ARBs in type 2 diabetes.MethodsChanges in systolic blood pressure (SBP), albuminuria, potassium, haemoglobin, cholesterol and uric acid after 6 months of losartan treatment were assessed in the RENAAL database. Improvement in predictive performance of renal outcomes (ESRD or doubling serum creatinine) for each individual using ARB‐induced changes in all risk markers was assessed by the relative integrative discrimination index (RIDI).ResultsSBP response showed high variability (mean –5.7 mmHg, 5th to 95th percentile –36.5 to +24.0 mmHg) between individuals. Changes in off‐target parameters also showed high variability between individuals. No congruency was observed between responses to losartan in multiple parameters within individuals. Using individual responses in all risk markers significantly improved renal risk prediction (RIDI 30.4%, P < 0.01) compared with using only SBP changes. Results were successfully replicated in two independent trials with irbesartan, IDNT and IRMA‐2.ConclusionsIn this post hoc analysis we showed that ARBs have multiple off‐target effects which vary between and within individuals. Combining all ARB‐induced responses beyond SBP provides a more accurate prediction of who will benefit from ARB therapy. Prospective trials are required to validate these findings.
Opposite malaria and pregnancy effect on oral bioavailability of artesunate – a population pharmacokinetic evaluation
Authors: Kloprogge Frank , McGready Rose , Phyo Aung Pyae , Rijken Marcus J. , Hanpithakpon Warunee , Than Hla Hla , Hlaing Nathar , Zin Naw Thida , Day Nicholas P. J. , White Nicholas J. , Nosten François , Tarning Joel 
Published: April 2015

AimThe aim was to compare the pharmacokinetic properties of artesunate and dihydroartemisinin in the same women: i) pregnant with acute uncomplicated malaria on day 1 and 2, ii) pregnant with convalescent malaria on day 7 and iii) in a healthy state 3 months post‐partum on day 1, 2 and 7.MethodsNon‐linear mixed‐effects modelling was used to compare plasma concentration–time profiles of artesunate and dihydroartemisinin over 7 days of treatment following oral and intravenous artesunate administration to pregnant women with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria during their second or third trimesters of pregnancy. The same women were restudied 3 months after delivery when fully recovered. Non‐compartmental results of the same study have been published previously.ResultsTwenty pregnant patients on the Thailand‐Myanmar border were studied and 15 volunteered to be restudied 3 months post‐partum. Malaria and pregnancy had no effect on the pharmacokinetic properties of artesunate or dihydroartemisinin after intravenous artesunate administration. However, malaria and pregnancy had opposite effects on the absorption of orally administered artesunate. Malaria increased the absolute oral bioavailability of artesunate by 87%, presumably by inhibiting first pass effect, whereas pregnancy decreased oral bioavailability by 23%.ConclusionsThe population pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated opposite effects of malaria and pregnancy on the bioavailability of orally administered artesunate. Lower drug exposures during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy may contribute to lower cure rates and thus the development of drug resistance. Dose optimization studies are required for artesunate containing artemisinin‐based combination therapies (ACTs) in later pregnancy.