bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
USE OF LOOP‐MEDIATED ISOTHERMAL AMPLIFICATION ASSAY FOR THE DETECTION OF VIBRIO ANGUILLARUM O2β, THE CAUSATIVE AGENT OF VIBRIOSIS IN ATLANTIC COD, GADUS MORHUA
Authors: KULKARNI AMOD , CAIPANG CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE A. , BRINCHMANN MONICA F. , KORSNES KJETIL , KIRON VISWANATH
Published: December 2009

A loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)‐based assay for the detection of Vibrio anguillarum O2β, the causative agent of vibriosis in Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, was developed. Five sets of primers targeting the flanking regions of the genes, hemolysin and amiB, which encodes the peptidoglycan hydrolase N‐acetylmuramoyl‐L‐alanine amidase of the pathogen were designed. The primers were specific for the detection of Vibrio anguillarum O2β with no cross reactions to other bacterial pathogens commonly infecting Atlantic cod, e.g., Yersinia ruckeri, Francisella piscicida, Aeromonas salmonicida and some endogenous bacteria found in the gut of Atlantic cod. The detection limit of the assay was 10 pg of bacterial DNA/mL or 10 fg of bacterial DNA per LAMP reaction; however, the sensitivity of the reaction decreased by 3‐log dilution in the presence of 1 mg/mL of mucus samples as inhibitors. Nevertheless, the assay can be potentially used as a direct and nondestructive method to detect the pathogen in the fish, thus making the assay less time‐consuming. These results suggest that the LAMP assay is a specific and sensitive molecular method to detect vibriosis in Atlantic cod and will be helpful for routine surveillance programs in aquaculture systems.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), a potential diagnostic technique performed under isothermal conditions without the use of any sophisticated equipment, can be used for the rapid and early detection of Vibrio anguillarum 02β causing vibriosis in Atlantic cod. The developed assay is highly sensitive and can be used to detect the pathogen prior to the onset of infection, thus, immediate measures can be applied to prevent heavy losses of the cultured stock.
AN INNOVATIVE MICROPLATE ASSAY TO FACILITATE THE DETECTION OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN PLANT EXTRACTS
Authors: SULTANBAWA Y. , CUSACK A. , CURRIE M. , DAVIS C.
Published: December 2009

A microplate assay was modified for the detection of antimicrobial activity in plant extracts. The aim was to develop an in vitro assay that could rapidly screen plant extracts to provide quantitative data on inhibition of microbial growth. A spectrophotometric assay using a microplate with serial dilutions of the plant extract and the bacteria was developed. Two bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, were used for this study. Essential oils, oregano (Origanum vulgare) and lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora), and three active components carvacrol, thymol and citral were evaluated. The reproducibility of the assay was high, with correlation coefficients (r2) of the replicates of lemon myrtle and oregano with S. aureus and E. coli between 0.9321 and 0.9816. Similarly, r2 values for carvacrol, thymol and citral were between 0.8455 and 0.9814. This assay could also be used to measure antimicrobial activity in plant extracts which vary in pH and color.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This research could be used for the quantitative determination of antimicrobial activity in plant extracts. As inhibition of growth is expressed as a percentage from 0 to 100, this method could also be used to study synergies within plant extracts to enhance antimicrobial activity for future studies. When plant extracts are used in food as natural preservatives, the challenge is to use a concentration that does not interfere with the flavor of the food product. In general, the amount of plant extract required to extend the storage life of food is greater than that required to produce an acceptable flavor. The advantage of knowing the percent inhibition relates to the effect of synergies where the inhibitions less than 100% can be enhanced with other antimicrobial plant extracts, thereby reducing the amount of plant extract required.
EFFECTS OF EXTRUSION ONκ‐CARRAGEENAN/AGAR MIXED GEL TYPE
Authors: KIM KEEHYUK , LEE SEUNG JU
Published: December 2009

κ‐Carrageenan and agar have a slight mutual thermodynamic incompatibility. Therefore, this study examined the effects of extrusion on the synergy ofκ‐carrageenan and agar mixed gels using mathematical mixture rules for modulus and gel time. Unlike the non‐extruded mixed gels, the extruded mixed gels did not follow the rule for a phase‐separated gel type. The changing pattern of gel time with the varying proportion of the two components of the extruded mixed gels was also different than that of the extruded mixed gels. The extrusion specific mechanical energy showed a sudden change at the proportion of the two components where a phase inversion of a phase‐separated mixed gel occurs. The polydispersity index (Mw/Mn) determined by gel permeation chromatography system suggested that the extruded agar underwent some structural changes.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Extrusion is one of the more versatile bioprocessing technologies, and it is effective in converting food materials in the physicochemical properties. This study attempted to modify the mixed gel properties using the extrusion process. The findings revealed that the extrusion process caused a change in the mixed gel type ofκ‐carrageenan/agar, shifting from a phase‐separated gel to another gel type without phase inversion. This difference can be applied to produce a new mixed gel product.
PHYSICAL AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF EGG YOLK AND EGG YOLK SUBSTITUTES IN A MODEL MAYONNAISE SYSTEM
Authors: HERALD THOMAS J. , ABUGOUSH MAHMOUD , ARAMOUNI FADI
Published: December 2009

Physical and sensory properties of several commercially available egg alternatives in a mayonnaise formulation were compared with a control formulation using whole egg. The egg alternatives included modified corn starch (MCS), wheat protein (WP), whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), WPI‐gum blend (WPI‐GB) and WPC‐fenugreek gum blend (WPC‐FGB). These egg alternatives were evaluated at 100% and 50% replacement. At 100% replacement, all egg alternatives except WPI exhibited significantly higher emulsion stability compared with the control. WPI‐GB, WPC‐FGB and WP at 100% exhibited significantly higher viscosity than the control. When used at 50% replacement an antagonistic relationship with egg yolk was observed for viscosity and firmness. At 100% replacement, WPI exhibited significantly higher firmness value than the control. Descriptive and consumer panels reported that MCS and WPC‐FGB exhibited attributes similar, if not better than, the control.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The egg alternatives were used to replace egg as a functional ingredient in a model mayonnaise system. These alternatives can deliver functionality at a lower cost and can be incorporated to produce a suitable mayonnaise system especially modified corn starch and blends of whey protein concentrate‐fenugreek gum blend. These results may help producers in formulating a new mayonnaise type.
European Food Marketing: Understanding Consumer Wants – The Starting Point in Adding Value to Basic Food Products La commercialisation des aliments en Europe : comprendre des désirs des consommateurs – point de départ pour ajouter de la valeur aux produits alimentaires de base Lebensmittelhandel in Europa: Das Verständnis der Kundenwünsche ist Voraussetzung für zusätzliche Wertschöpfung bei Grundnahrungsmitteln
Authors: Hughes David
Published: December 2009

European Food Marketing: Understanding Consumer Wants – The Starting Point in Adding Value to Basic Food Products

European consumers have been in sombre mood as they battle to make ends meet in an economic recession. Yet, for many countries, the past 50 years or so has been a halcyon period of economic growth and, in real terms, declining food prices. Apart from lower food prices, attributes of convenience, health, pleasure and more esoteric social elements such as animal welfare‐friendliness and environmental sustainability are increasingly important to consumers in their food choices. With higher household incomes has come an increasingly segmented food market, as businesses seek to differentiate their products from competitors to earn a premium above the basic commodity price. In an increasingly competitive European and global market, whether the firm is small or large, the first step in successful product differentiation requires an insightful understanding of the drivers of consumer purchase and consumption behaviour. These have fundamental commercial importance in the marketing strategy of any business. Yet, a surprising number of businesses in the food and beverage industry know very little about who buys and consumes their products. In the 21st century, the primacy of consumers and citizens will be substantially more ‘front and centre’ than in the previous 50 years of production‐driven agricultural and food policy.
Increasing Children’s Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: Lessons from advertising Augmenter la consommation de fruits et légumes des enfants : Leçons tirées de la publicité Steigerung des Obst‐ und Gemuseverzehrs bei Kindern: Was können wir van der Werbung lernen?
Authors: Hartmann Monika , Maschkowski Gesa
Published: December 2009

Increasing Children’s Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: Lessons from advertising

Scientific evidence shows that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables (F&V) is one of the essentials for lowering the risks of chronic diseases including obesity. Nevertheless, children and adolescents in particular fail to meet public health guidelines with regard to an adequate intake of these food items. Based on the Motivation–Ability–Opportunity framework this article provides a brief discussion of the multiple interdependent factors influencing children’s decisions to consume F&V. Advertising and promotion of food aimed at children by commercial enterprises is of great relevance in this regard. Research provides substantial evidence that it plays a direct as well as indirect role in influencing children’s nutritional behaviour by appealing to their personal and social needs and desires. Such advertising to children, however, exists almost exclusively for food of poor nutritional quality thus encouraging and maintaining unhealthy food behaviour. As it is difficult privately to differentiate F&V products, this leads to the question of whether there should be more publicly‐funded generic advertising for F&V to children that makes use of the same marketing strategies applied by commercial advertising. However, even if advertising of F&V increases in quantity and quality, success might be modest as long as there is no change in the overwhelming amount and variety of environmental cues promoting unhealthy dietary behaviour amongst children.
Race, Religion, and the Social Integration of New Immigrant Minorities in Canada
Authors: Reitz Jeffrey G. , Banerjee Rupa , Phan Mai , Thompson Jordan
Published: December 2009

The social integration of Canada's new religious minorities is determined more by their racial minority status than by their religious affiliation or degree of religiosity, according to results from Statistics Canada's 2002 Ethnic Diversity Survey. Interview questions tap life satisfaction, affective ties to Canada, and participation in the wider community. Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Hindus are slower to integrate socially, mainly because they are mostly racial minorities. Degree of religiosity affects social integration in the same ways as ethnic community attachments in general, positively for some dimensions, negatively for others, and similarly for different religious groups. Patterns are similar in Quebec and the rest of Canada; results carry implications for the debate over “reasonable accommodation” of religious minorities in Quebec, and parallel debates in other provinces and countries.
Internal Migration Patterns of Foreign-Born Immigrants in a Country of Recent Mass Immigration: Evidence from New Micro Data for Spain
Authors: Reher David S. , Silvestre Javier
Published: December 2009

This paper extends the literature on the internal migration patterns of the foreign-born by analyzing the situation in Spain, a country affected by recent but very significant migratory flows. We utilize a standard theoretical framework in order to assess the relative importance of human capital, economic, and social capital indicators. To this end, we take advantage of a new micro database, the National Immigrant Survey (Encuesta National de Inmigrantes – ENI-2007). Our findings suggest that the main theories explaining internal migration patterns of the foreign-born are at least partly true. Evidence is presented in support of the importance of education and knowledge of the native language, income, and networks based on the sharing of social capital among family members, though less so for those based on friends and acquaintances. Spanish citizenship and employment status seem to be less important in explaining the propensity to move within the country. We argue that the lack of significance of some indicators is due mainly to the fact that Spain has become a major destination only very recently as well as to the way different immigrant groups tend to implement strategies for promotion and integration.
Acculturation Identity and Higher Education: Is There a Trade-off between Ethnic Identity and Education?
Authors: Nekby Lena , Rödin Magnus , Özcan Gülay
Published: December 2009

This paper examines the role of identification to home and host cultures on the pursuit of higher educations for individuals with immigrant backgrounds. Identity is defined according to a two-dimensional acculturation framework based on strength of identification to both ethnic background cultures and the majority culture. Results indicate that integrated men that identify with both the majority and the background culture are associated with higher probabilities of completed tertiary educations than men that identify only with the majority culture as well as men with weak affiliations to both background and majority cultures. These results hold despite controls for early education outcomes and socioeconomic status. No systematic differences in higher educational attainment by identity are found for women once differences in early education are accounted for. These results put into question the premise of oppositional identities, i.e., a trade-off between ethnic identity and higher educational achievement.
Migration and Gender Roles: The Typical Work Pattern of the MENA Women,
Authors: Foroutan Yaghoob
Published: December 2009

This paper focuses on the association between migration and gender roles measured by women's paid work. The main migrant group of this study, its context and the method of analysis provide opportunity to meet this objective appropriately. The paper focuses on female migrants from the Middle East and North Africa region, who are often characterized by traditional gender roles including women's low rates of paid work. The residing country of this migrant group is Australia, which holds different gender roles including women's high work participation rate. Accordingly, the multivariate results of this paper provide empirical evidence to examine the effects of migration on gender roles.
Comparative genomic analyses identify the Vibrio harveyi genome sequenced strains BAA‐1116 and HY01 as Vibrio campbellii
Authors: Lin Baochuan , Wang Zheng , Malanoski Anthony P. , O'Grady Elizabeth A. , Wimpee Charles F. , Vuddhakul Varaporn , Alves Jr Nelson , Thompson Fabiano L. , Gomez‐Gil Bruno , Vora Gary J.
Published: December 2009

Three notable members of the Harveyi clade, Vibrio harveyi, Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, are best known as marine pathogens of commercial and medical import. In spite of this fact, the discrimination of Harveyi clade members remains difficult due to genetic and phenotypic similarities, and this has led to misidentifications and inaccurate estimations of a species' involvement in certain environments. To begin to understand the underlying genetics that complicate species level discrimination, we compared the genomes of Harveyi clade members isolated from different environments (seawater, shrimp, corals, oysters, finfish, humans) using microarray‐based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and multilocus sequence analyses (MLSA). Surprisingly, we found that the only two V. harveyi strains that have had their genomes sequenced (strains BAA‐1116 and HY01) have themselves been misidentified. Instead of belonging to the species harveyi, they are actually members of the species campbellii. In total, 28% of the strains tested were found to be misidentified and 42% of these appear to comprise a novel species. Taken together, our findings correct a number of species misidentifications while validating the ability of both CGH and MLSA to distinguish closely related members of the Harveyi clade.
Testing temperature‐induced proteomic changes in the plant‐associated bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25
Authors: Knight C. G. , Zhang X. X. , Gunn A. , Brenner T. , Jackson R. W. , Giddens S. R. , Prabhakar S. , Zitzmann N. , Rainey P. B.
Published: December 2009

Traits used by bacteria to enhance ecological performance in natural environments are not well understood. Recognizing that the saprophytic plant‐colonizing bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 experiences temperatures in its natural environment significantly cooler than the 28°C routinely used in the laboratory, we identified proteins differentially expressed between 28°C and the more environmentally relevant temperature of 14°C. Of 2102 protein isoforms, 32 were temperature responsive and identified by mass spectrometry. Seven of these (OmpR, MucD, GuaD, OsmY and three of unknown function, Tee1, Tee2 and Tee3) were selected for genetic and ecological analyses. In each instance, changes in protein expression with temperature were mirrored by parallel transcriptional changes. The fitness contribution of the genes encoding each of the seven proteins was larger at 14°C than 28°C and included two cases of trade‐offs (enhanced fitness at one temperature and reduced fitness at the other –mucD and tee2 deletions). The relationship between the fitness effects of genes in vitro and in vivo was variable, but two temperature‐responsive genes –osmY and mucD– contribute substantially to the ability of P. fluorescens to colonize the plant environment.
Anguibactin‐ versus vanchrobactin‐mediated iron uptake in Vibrio anguillarum: evolution and ecology of a fish pathogen
Authors: Lemos Manuel L. , Balado Miguel , Osorio Carlos R.
Published: December 2009

Vibrio anguillarum is a marine bacterium that is present in many marine aquatic environments and that is the main cause of vibriosis in diverse wild and cultured fish species. Two siderophore‐mediated iron uptake systems have been described in V. anguillarum. One, mediated by the siderophore anguibactin, is encoded by the pJM1‐type plasmids and is restricted to serotype O1 strains. The second one is mediated by the vanchrobactin siderophore and is widespread in many strains belonging to different serotypes. Both siderophores belong to the catecholate group of siderophores, sharing a 2,3‐dihydroxybenzoic acid moiety. Vanchrobactin biosynthesis and transport genes are present in all strains examined although the siderophore is not produced in serotype O1 strains harbouring a pJM1‐type plasmid. In these strains the insertion of an IS element in the main vanchrobactin biosynthetic gene vabF leads to the fact that only anguibactin is produced. From our current knowledge we can presume that vanchrobactin is the ancestral siderophore in this species and that the anguibactin‐mediated system was later acquired during evolution, likely by horizontal transfer. The role of these two different iron uptake mechanisms in the biology, evolution and ecology of V. anguillarum is discussed although they are still far from being completely understood.
Biosurfactants in plant–Pseudomonas interactions and their importance to biocontrol
Authors: D'aes Jolien , De Maeyer Katrien , Pauwelyn Ellen , Höfte Monica
Published: December 2009

Production of biosurfactants is a common feature in bacteria, and in particular in plant‐associated species. These bacteria include many plant beneficial and plant pathogenic Pseudomonas spp., which produce primarily cyclic lipopeptide and rhamnolipid type biosurfactants. Pseudomonas‐derived biosurfactants are involved in many important bacterial functions. By modifying surface properties, biosurfactants can influence common traits such as surface motility, biofilm formation and colonization. Biosurfactants can alter the bio‐availability of exogenous compounds, such as nutrients, to promote their uptake, and of endogenous metabolites, including phenazine antibiotics, resulting in an enhanced biological activity. Antibiotic activity of biosurfactants towards microbes could play a role in intraspecific competition, self‐defence and pathogenesis. In addition, bacterial surfactants can affect plants in different ways, either protecting them from disease, or acting as a toxin in a plant–pathogen interaction. Biosurfactants are involved in the biocontrol activity of an increasing number of Pseudomonas strains. Consequently, further insight into the roles and activities of surfactants produced by bacteria could provide means to optimize the use of biological control as an alternative crop protection strategy.
Nanoimprint lithography stamp modification utilizing focused ion beams
Authors: Wanzenboeck Heinz D. , Waid Simon , Bertagnolli Emmerich , Muehlberger Michael , Bergmair Iris , Schoeftner Rainer
Published: December 2009

Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) has been established as a high-throughput technique to fabricate sub-25-nm patterns at a low cost. The fabrication of NIL templates with features in the submicrometer range is currently a bottleneck of the NIL technology. The replication of errors on NIL templates places a major challenge on the reusability of templates. Focused ion beam (FIB) technology is employed to modify prestructured NIL templates. In this work, repair strategies for NIL stamps are discussed. Excess material from stamps has been removed by ion milling. Nanoscale trenches and ultrathin lamellas fabricated with a focused ion beam and their corresponding imprints are presented. It has been confirmed that commercial UV-NIL stamps can be modified by FIB milling and imprinted line patterns were successfully replicated by UV-NIL using the repaired templates. Furthermore, the potential of three-dimensional NIL templates structured by FIB was evaluated. Three-dimensional imprints with features down to 80nm with good structure conformity to the template were demonstrated. The capabilities and limitations of FIB as repair technology for NIL stamps are discussed.
The dependence of the moving sonoluminescing bubble trajectory on the driving pressure
Authors: Sadighi-Bonabi Rasoul , Rezaei-Nasirabad Reza , Galavani Zeinab
Published: December 2009

With a complete accounting of hydrodynamic forces on the translational-radial dynamics of a moving single-bubble sonoluminescence, temporal evolution of the bubble trajectory is investigated. In this paper, by using quasi-adiabatic evolution for the bubble interior, the bubble peak temperature at the bubble collapse is calculated. The peak temperature changes because of the bubble translational motion. The numerical results indicate that the strength of the bubble collapse is affected by its translational movement. At the bubble collapse, translational movement of the bubble is accelerated because of the increase in the added mass force on the bubble. It is shown that the magnitude of the added mass force rises by the increase in the amplitude of the driving pressure. Consequently, the increase in added mass force results in the longer trajectory path and duration.
Effect of reflected and refracted signals on coherent underwater acoustic communication: Results from the Kauai experiment (KauaiEx 2003)
Authors: Rouseff Daniel , Badiey Mohsen , Song Aijun
Published: December 2009

The performance of a communications equalizer is quantified in terms of the number of acoustic paths that are treated as usable signal. The analysis uses acoustical and oceanographic data collected off the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. Communication signals were measured on an eight-element vertical array at two different ranges, 1 and 2 km, and processed using an equalizer based on passive time-reversal signal processing. By estimating the Rayleigh parameter, it is shown that all paths reflected by the sea surface at both ranges undergo incoherent scattering. It is demonstrated that some of these incoherently scattered paths are still useful for coherent communications. At range of 1 km, optimal communications performance is achieved when six acoustic paths are retained and all paths with more than one reflection off the sea surface are rejected. Consistent with a model that ignores loss from near-surface bubbles, the performance improves by approximately 1.8 dB when increasing the number of retained paths from four to six. The four-path results though are more stable and require less frequent channel estimation. At range of 2 km, ray refraction is observed and communications performance is optimal when some paths with two sea-surface reflections are retained.
Matching the waveform and the temporal window in the creation of experimental signals
Authors: Hartmann William M. , Wolf Eric M.
Published: December 2009

When a periodic waveform with a discrete-harmonic spectrum is temporally windowed to make a signal, its spectrum becomes a continuous function of frequency. However, there are discrete-frequency representations for windowed signals such as the Fourier series representation of a periodically extended signal. This article introduces the concept of matching between the temporal window and the periodic waveform. Matching leads to a discrete-frequency representation in which the Fourier transform of the windowed signal preserves the amplitudes and phases of the waveform on the set of original waveform frequencies. Generating signals with matched window and waveform leads to important control of experiments.
Analysis of categorical response data: Use logistic regression rather than endpoint-difference scores or discriminant analysis
Authors: Morrison Geoffrey Stewart , Kondaurova Maria V.
Published: December 2009

Example of a typical second-language (L2) speech perception experiment: Synthetic vowel stimuli from a two-dimensional grid of points in which acoustic properties vary systematically in duration and spectral properties are classified as English /i/ or /I/ by L2-English listeners. In a number of studies, the data from such experiments have been analyzed using endpoint-difference scores or discriminant analysis. The current letter describes theoretical problems inherent in the first procedure in general, and in the application of the second procedure to data of this type in particular. Logistic regression is proposed as an alternative, which does not suffer from these problems.
Level dependence in behavioral measurements of auditory-filter phase characteristics
Authors: Shen Yi , Lentz Jennifer J.
Published: December 2009

Two masking experiments were conducted to behaviorally estimate auditory-filter phase curvatures at different stimulus levels. Maskers were harmonic complexes consisting of equal-amplitude tones and phase spectra with varied curvatures. In Experiment 1, sinusoidal signal thresholds were measured at 2 and 4 kHz at fixed masker levels ranging from 50 to 90 dB sound pressure level (SPL). In Experiment 2, the masker level that just masked a sinusoidal signal at 2 and 4 kHz was measured at fixed signal levels of 25, 38, and 50 dB SPL. For both experiments, the estimated phase curvature approached zero (became less negative) with increasing stimulus level. This shift could suggest that the off-frequency phase characteristic of the auditory filter has an increasingly greater role on the estimated auditory-filter phase curvature at higher stimulus levels. This explanation is supported through the use of psychophysical modeling.
A phenomenological model of the synapse between the inner hair cell and auditory nerve: Long-term adaptation with power-law dynamics
Authors: Zilany Muhammad S. A. , Bruce Ian C. , Nelson Paul C. , Carney Laurel H.
Published: December 2009

There is growing evidence that the dynamics of biological systems that appear to be exponential over short time courses are in some cases better described over the long-term by power-law dynamics. A model of rate adaptation at the synapse between inner hair cells and auditory-nerve (AN) fibers that includes both exponential and power-law dynamics is presented here. Exponentially adapting components with rapid and short-term time constants, which are mainly responsible for shaping onset responses, are followed by two parallel paths with power-law adaptation that provide slowly and rapidly adapting responses. The slowly adapting power-law component significantly improves predictions of the recovery of the AN response after stimulus offset. The faster power-law adaptation is necessary to account for the “additivity” of rate in response to stimuli with amplitude increments. The proposed model is capable of accurately predicting several sets of AN data, including amplitude-modulation transfer functions, long-term adaptation, forward masking, and adaptation to increments and decrements in the amplitude of an ongoing stimulus.
Development of perceptual sensitivity to extrinsic vowel duration in infants learning American English
Authors: Ko Eon-Suk , Soderstrom Melanie , Morgan James
Published: December 2009

8- and 14-month-old infants’ perceptual sensitivity to vowel duration conditioned by post-vocalic consonantal voicing was examined. Half the infants heard CVC stimuli with short vowels, and half heard stimuli with long vowels. In both groups, stimuli with voiced and voiceless final consonants were compared. Older infants showed significant sensitivity to mismatching vowel duration and consonant voicing in the short condition but not the long condition; younger infants were not sensitive to such mismatching in either condition. The results suggest that infants’ sensitivity to extrinsic vowel duration begins to develop between 8 and 14 months.
Straightforward estimation of the elastic constants of an isotropic cube excited by a single percussion
Authors: Nieves F. J. , Gascón F. , Bayón A. , Salazar F.
Published: December 2009

Ritz’s method is applied to calculate accurate values of the lowest non-dimensional natural frequencies of a freely vibrating isotropic cube. The dependence of such frequencies and their quotients on Poisson’s ratio is established. Vibration of a cube caused by percussion is detected at a point by a laser interferometer. With the help of the tables and graphs provided and with the values of the first lowest frequencies obtained experimentally in a single test, Poisson’s ratio and the shear modulus are calculated by means of elementary arithmetical operations.
Stopping a Mutant Kinase in Its Tracks
Authors: McDonald Heather B.
Published: December 2009

A new compound shows promise for treating patients with drug-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia.
Identification of Pathogenic
Nocardia
Species by Reverse Line Blot Hybridization Targeting the 16S rRNA and 16S-23S rRNA Gene Spacer Regions
Authors: Xiao Meng , Kong Fanrong , Sorrell Tania C. , Cao Yongyan , Lee Ok Cha , Liu Ying , Sintchenko Vitali , Chen Sharon C. A.
Published: December 2009

Although 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis is employed most often for the definitive identification of
Nocardia
species, alternate molecular methods and polymorphisms in other gene targets have also enabled species determinations. We evaluated a combined
Nocardia
PCR-based reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization assay based on 16S and 16S-23S rRNA gene spacer region polymorphisms to identify 12 American Type Culture Collection and 123 clinical
Nocardia
isolates representing 14 species; results were compared with results from 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Thirteen 16S rRNA gene-based (two group-specific and 11 species-specific) and five 16S-23S spacer-targeted (two taxon-specific and three species-specific) probes were utilized. 16S rRNA gene-based probes correctly identified 124 of 135 isolates (sensitivity, 92%) but were unable to identify
Nocardia paucivorans
strains (
n
= 10 strains) and a
Nocardia asteroides
isolate with a novel 16S rRNA gene sequence.
Nocardia farcinica
and
Nocardia cyriacigeorgica
strains were identified by the sequential use of an
N. farcinica
-“negative” probe and a combined
N. farcinica
/
N. cyriacigeorgica
probe. The assay specificity was high (99%) except for weak cross-reactivity between the
Nocardia brasiliensis
probe with the
Nocardia thailandica
DNA product; however, cross-hybridization with closely related nontarget species may occur. The incorporation of 16S-23S rRNA gene spacer-based probes enabled the identification of all
N. paucivorans
strains. The overall sensitivity using both probe sets was >99%. Both
N. farcinica
-specific 16S-23S rRNA gene spacer-directed probes were required to identify all
N. farcinica
stains by using this probe set. The study demonstrates the utility of a combined PCR/RLB assay for the identification of clinically relevant
Nocardia
species and its potential for studying subtypes of
N. farcinica
. Where species assignment is ambiguous or not possible, 16S rRNA gene sequencing is recommended.
Bacteremia Due to
Acinetobacter
Genomic Species 10
Authors: Kuo Shu-Chen , Fung Chang-Phone , Lee Yi-Tzu , Chen Chien-Pei , Chen Te-Li
Published: December 2009

Six patients with
Acinetobacter
genomic species 10 bacteremia were identified. The clinical features of the patients, phenotypic and genotypic identifications, antimicrobial susceptibilities, and genes flanking IS
Aba1
of the bacteria were described. The results revealed that this bacterium is a potentially lethal pathogen that can cause health care-associated infections in debilitated patients.
Murine Cytomegalovirus US22 Protein pM140 Protects Its Binding Partner, pM141, from Proteasome-Dependent but Ubiquitin-Independent Degradation
Authors: Bolin Lisa L. , Hanson Laura K. , Slater Jacquelyn S. , Kerry Julie A. , Campbell Ann E.
Published: December 2009

Stable assembly of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) virions in differentiated macrophages is dependent upon the expression of US22 family gene M140. The M140 protein (pM140) exists in complex with products of neighboring US22 genes. Here we report that pM140 protects its binding partner, pM141, from ubiquitin-independent proteasomal degradation. Protection is conferred by a stabilization domain mapping to amino acids 306 to 380 within pM140, and this domain is functionally independent from the region that confers binding of pM140 to pM141. The M140 protein thus contains multiple domains that collectively confer a structure necessary to function in virion assembly in macrophages.
Interferon-Induced Protection against Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Infection Correlates with Enhanced Tissue-Specific Innate Immune Cell Infiltration and Interferon-Stimulated Gene Expression
Authors: Diaz-San Segundo Fayna , Moraes Mauro P. , de los Santos Teresa , Dias Camila C. A. , Grubman Marvin J.
Published: December 2009

Previously, we demonstrated that type I interferon (IFN-α/β) or a combination of IFN-α/β and type II IFN (IFN-γ) delivered by a replication-defective human adenovirus 5 (Ad5) vector protected swine when challenged 1 day later with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of protection induced by IFNs, we inoculated groups of six swine with Ad5-vectors containing these genes, challenged 1 day later and euthanized 2 animals from each group prior to (1 day postinoculation [dpi]) and at 1 (2 dpi) and 6 days postchallenge (7 dpi). Blood, skin, and lymphoid tissues were examined for IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) induction and infiltration by innate immune cells. All IFN-inoculated animals had delayed and decreased clinical signs and viremia compared to the controls, and one animal in the IFN-α treated group did not develop disease. At 1 and 2 dpi the groups inoculated with the IFNs had increased numbers of dendritic cells and natural killer cells in the skin and lymph nodes, respectively, as well as increased levels of several ISGs compared to the controls. In particular, all tissues examined from IFN-treated groups had significant upregulation of the chemokine 10-kDa IFN-γ-inducible protein 10, and preferential upregulation of 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase, Mx1, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. There was also upregulation of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 and macrophage inflammatory protein 3α in the skin. These data suggest that there is a complex interplay between IFN-induced immunomodulatory and antiviral activities in protection of swine against FMDV.
Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Glycoproteins B and K8.1 Regulate Virion Egress and Synthesis of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Viral Interleukin-6 in BCBL-1 Cells
Authors: Subramanian R. , Sehgal I. , D'Auvergne O. , Kousoulas K. G.
Published: December 2009

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) viral glycoproteins play important roles in the infectious life cycle and have been implicated in KSHV-associated endothelial cell transformation, angiogenesis, and KS-induced malignancies. KSHV-associated primary effusion lymphomas (PELs) secrete high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and viral interleukin-6 (vIL-6)in vitroand VEGF, vIL-6, and basic-fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) in mouse xenografts. KSHV-encoded glycoproteins B (gB) and K8.1 stimulate VEGF secretion, most likely mediated by direct or indirect binding to cell surface receptors, including the gB-specific αVβ3 and α3β1 integrins. In this study, the short interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated inhibition of either gB or K8.1 transcription by anti-gB or -K8.1 siRNAs caused a substantial reduction in virion egress and a decrease in both vIL-6 and VEGF production. Similarly, the treatment of BCBL-1 cells with anti-gB or anti-K8.1 antibodies caused a substantial reduction in vIL-6 and VEGF production. Codon-optimized versions of either wild-type gB, mutant gB having the RGD amino acid motif changed to RAA, or K8.1 efficiently rescued virion egress and VEGF and vIL-6 production. These results suggest that the binding of gB via its RGD motif to integrin receptors was not responsible for the observed gB-associated regulation of VEGF and vIL-6 transcription. Conditioned medium collected from BCBL-1 cells transfected with anti-gB and anti-K8.1 siRNAs or treated with anti-gB and anti-K8.1 antibodies exhibited a significantly reduced ability to induce the formation of the capillary network of endothelial cells compared to the ability of medium from mock-infected BCBl-1 cells. Furthermore, medium obtained from BCBL-1 cells expressing smaller amounts of gB and K8.1 produced a substantial reduction in endothelial cell migration in a vertical migration assay compared to that of control medium containing wild-type levels of gB and K8.1. These results suggest a functional linkage between gB/K8.1 synthesis and VEGF/vIL-6 transcriptional regulation via paracrine and/or autocrine signaling pathways.
Nucleolin Is Required for Efficient Nuclear Egress of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Nucleocapsids
Authors: Sagou Ken , Uema Masashi , Kawaguchi Yasushi
Published: December 2009

Herpesvirus nucleocapsids assemble in the nucleus and must cross the nuclear membrane for final assembly and maturation to form infectious progeny virions in the cytoplasm. It has been proposed that nucleocapsids enter the perinuclear space by budding through the inner nuclear membrane, and these enveloped nucleocapsids then fuse with the outer nuclear membrane to enter the cytoplasm. Little is known about the mechanism(s) for nuclear egress of herpesvirus nucleocapsids and, in particular, which, if any, cellular proteins are involved in the nuclear egress pathway. UL12 is an alkaline nuclease encoded by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and has been suggested to be involved in viral DNA maturation and nuclear egress of nucleocapsids. Using a live-cell imaging system to study cells infected by a recombinant HSV-1 expressing UL12 fused to a fluorescent protein, we observed the previously unreported nucleolar localization of UL12 in live infected cells and, using coimmunoprecipitation analyses, showed that UL12 formed a complex with nucleolin, a nucleolus marker, in infected cells. Knockdown of nucleolin in HSV-1-infected cells reduced capsid accumulation, as well as the amount of viral DNA resistant to staphylococcal nuclease in the cytoplasm, which represented encapsidated viral DNA, but had little effect on these viral components in the nucleus. These results indicated that nucleolin is a cellular factor required for efficient nuclear egress of HSV-1 nucleocapsids in infected cells.
Is there an injury epidemic in girls’ sports?
Authors: Knowles S B
Published: December 2009

Injuries to prominent sportswomen have raised questions about whether there is an injury epidemic for female athletes. Our aim was to synthesise the data on overall injury incidence among female athletes and present the evidence for specific injuries for which female athletes appear to be at greater risk than male athletes. We also reviewed the severity of female injuries, the hypothesised risk factors and injury prevention studies. In general, women have alowerrate of injury than men. Women are at greater risk for specific injuries such as non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injuries, but these injuries are relatively rare. Further, women tend to have higher rates of surgery for the same injuries than men. Nevertheless, injury rates likely can be reduced by research efforts to identify modifiable risk factors using rigorous epidemiological methods and the investigation of effective prevention programmes.
Translation, cross-cultural adaption and validation of the German version of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure for patients with chronic ankle instability
Authors: Nauck T , Lohrer H
Published: December 2009

Objectives

The evaluation of health-related quality of life and physical function is important for determining therapeutic strategies following ankle injuries. The Anglo-American Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) is a valid and reliable self-reported measure to detect functional deficits in chronic lateral ankle instability. The purpose of this study was to translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the FAAM questionnaire for use with German-speaking patients with chronic lateral ankle instability.

Patients/Participants

Preoperative and conservatively treated patients with chronic lateral ankle instability. Sport students and volleyball athletes served as control groups.

Main Outcome Measurements

The FAAM was forward and back translated, cross-culturally adapted and validated. The study population completed the FAAM-G questionnaire twice within 3–5 days. Additionally, the patients were scored with the Good ankle laxity classification system. Test–Retest reliability, construct validity and internal consistency were calculated.

Results

Reliability and validity of the FAAM-G were examined in presurgical chronic ankle instability patients (n=24), conservatively treated chronic ankle instability patients (n=17), university sport students (n=31) and volleyballers (n=37).

Test–retest reliability revealed fair, good, or excellent reliability (inter-class correlation coefficient (ICC)=0.590–0.998; ρ=0.528–1.000). Construct validity, tested between the FAAM-G subscores and the Good et al ankle laxity classification system demonstrated strong correlations (ρ = −0.819 to −0.861).

Conclusions

The original FAAM questionnaire was successfully translated and cross-culturally adapted from English to German. Corresponding to the Anglo-American version, the FAAM-G is a reliable and valid questionnaire for self-reported assessment of pain and disability in German-speaking patients suffering from chronic ankle instability.
Effects of resistive load on performance and surface EMG activity during repeated cycling sprints on a non-isokinetic cycle ergometer
Authors: Matsuura R , Arimitsu T , Yunoki T , Yano T
Published: December 2009

Objectives

To determine the effects of resistive load on performance and surface electromyogram (SEMG) activity during repeated cycling sprints (RCS) on a non-isokinetic cycle ergometer.

Methods

Participants performed two RCS tests (ten 10-second cycling sprints) interspersed with both 30- and 360-second recovery periods under light (RCSL) and heavy load conditions (RCSH) in a random counterbalanced order. Recovery periods of 360 seconds were set before the fifth and ninth sprints.

Results

In the 9th and 10th sprints, the values of peak power output divided by body mass were significantly higher in RCSHthan in RCSL. Changes in blood lactate concentration were not different between the two conditions. In RCSL, the root mean square calculated from the SEMG was significantly lower in the ninth sprint than in the first sprint, but there were no differences between the root mean square in the first sprint and that in the ninth sprint in RCSH.

Conclusions

During RCS on a non-isokinetic cycle ergometer, performance and SEMG activity are influenced by resistive load. It is thought that regulation of skeletal muscle recruitment by the central nervous system is associated with fatigue during RCS with a light resistive load.
Injury patterns at US and Canadian overnight summer camps: first year of the Healthy Camp study
Authors: Goldlust E , Walton E , Stanley R , Yard E , Garst B , Comstock R D , Erceg L E , Cunningham R
Published: December 2009

Objective:

To describe injury patterns at overnight summer camps in 2006, and identify risk factors for more significant injury.

Design:

Surveillance data obtained from Healthy Camp Study from 2006 were analyzed from 71 overnight camps, representing 437 541 camper-days and 206 031 staff-days.

Results:

Injuries were reported in 218 campers and 81 staff. 51.8% of injured campers were male versus 34.6% of staff. Among campers, 60.1% were evaluated off-site; 2.3% required hospital admission. 43.9% of injuries required >24 h activity restriction (deemed “significant injury”). Among campers, significant injury was associated with camp sessions ⩾14 days (RR 1.48); among staff, with male sex (RR 1.85) and camper-to-staff ratio (RR 0.67). There were no associations with age, time of day, setting, or level of supervision.

Conclusions:

Significant injuries are uncommon at overnight summer camps. Rates appear similar to those in comparable activities. Targeted interventions may further reduce injury risk.
Assessing the feasibility of distributing child poison safety messages through three existing parent information pathways
Authors: Gibbs L , Waters E , Robinson J , Young S , Hutchinson A
Published: December 2009

The objective of this exploratory study was to assess the feasibility of increasing parents’ poison safety awareness and behaviours using existing pathways. The aim was to compare the release of true stories of child unintentional poisoning via three modes: (a) parent “networker”; (b) maternal and child health nurse; (c) the media. The stories spread by the parent networker were readily recalled by the parents, with examples of changed behaviour and spreading of the stories. Parents who were part of the maternal and child health nurse strategy were not able to recall the stories without prompts. The media strategy could not be implemented because of difficulties finding parents ready to publicise their story. Given that it is an exploratory study, it is not possible to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of each of the intervention strategies. However, it appears that a low-resource intervention using stories shared via parent networkers may have exciting potential as a health promotion tool. A stronger study design to examine its effectiveness is proposed.