bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternative evaluation method in vitro for the water‐resistant effect of sunscreen products
Authors: Ahn Sungyeon , Yang Hyejin , Lee Haekwang , Moon Seongjoon , Chang Ihseop
Published: July 2007

Background/purpose: Sunscreen products today represent a trend of providing not only simple sun protection factor (SPF)/protection of UVA (PFA) but also other additional benefits. For example, as popularized by seasonless use of sunscreens, the special function of water resistance or sand proof is added to sunscreens as well as for leisure. Because a human in vivo test is time consuming and expensive, a screening process has been tried using an accurate in vitro system. In this study, we suggest the development of an in vitro test that can predict the result of in vivo water resistance of sunscreens.

Methods:
Water resistance is presented as a comparison of initial SPF and water‐exposed SPF by immersion and washing. In order to be comparable with the in vivo test, water immersion and flow were defined as the basic statements. Also, substrate, revolutions per minute (r.p.m.) – rotative velocity – of propeller inducing water flow, and time of immersion were defined as controlled factors. Considering the strength, separation of test material and adhesive texture, a PMMA plate was selected as suitable among commercial substrates: Transpore tape™, VITRO SKIN, and PMMA plate. Also, when the PMMA plate was adhered on the wall of a water bath, the water turbulence of the rotational propeller alone was not strong enough to wash off the test material from the substrate. Therefore, PMMA plates were fixed on the axis. In this experiment, the most important thing is whether this in vitro system can predict correctly. Hence, we tried to match the in vitro water resistance following from our control factors and water resistance value of the in vivo test.

Results: We found the immersion time and r.p.m. of controlled factors to obtain the target water resistance using design of experiment, MiniTab statistical package. Response optimization yielded the optimal in vitro conditions of 150 r.p.m./60 min. The repeatability and reproducibility of this in vitro system were also good in validation studies.

Conclusions: This study enables to modify an in vivo water resistance test and predict the result of in vivo water resistance by the manufacture of effective equipment and choosing a suitable substrate. Compared with in vivo results, our in vitro system is more time and cost effective, and provides reliable results.
The Role of Ubiquitin in Retroviral Egress
Authors: Martin‐Serrano Juan
Published: July 2007

HIV and many other enveloped viruses encode a late budding domain (L‐domain) that recruits the cellular machinery that mediates the separation of the nascent virion from the infected cell. The ubiquitin–proteasome system has been implicated in the L‐domain activity, but the exact role of ubiquitin transfer and ubiquitin‐binding proteins in the last step of viral replication remains elusive. It is now widely accepted that the class E vacuolar protein sorting pathway mediates both viral budding and vesicle budding into the multivesicular bodies and, remarkably, both budding events share the same topology and similar requirements for ubiquitin. In this review, the role of ubiquitin in viral budding is discussed in the light of recent advances in the understanding of the cellular mechanisms that assist the last step of HIV‐1 release.
An Essential Quality Control Mechanism at the Eukaryotic Basal Body Prior to Intraflagellar Transport
Authors: Stephan Angela , Vaughan Sue , Shaw Michael K. , Gull Keith , McKean Paul G.
Published: July 2007

Constructing a eukaryotic cilium/flagellum is a demanding task requiring the transport of proteins from their cytoplasmic synthesis site into a spatially and environmentally distinct cellular compartment. The clear potential hazard is that import of aberrant proteins could seriously disable cilia/flagella assembly or turnover processes. Here, we reveal that tubulin protein destined for incorporation into axonemal microtubules interacts with a tubulin cofactor C (TBCC) domain‐containing protein that is specifically located at the mature basal body transitional fibres. RNA interference‐mediated ablation of this protein results in axonemal microtubule defects but no effect on other microtubule populations within the cell. Bioinformatics analysis indicates that this protein belongs to a clade of flagellum‐specific TBCC‐like proteins that includes the human protein, XRP2, mutations which lead to certain forms of the hereditary eye disease retinitis pigmentosa. Taken with other observations regarding the role of transitional fibres in cilium/flagellum assembly, we suggest that a localized protein processing capacity embedded at transitional fibres ensures the ‘quality’ of tubulin imported into the cilium/flagellum, and further, that loss of a ciliary/flagellar quality control capability may underpin a number of human genetic disorders.
Thoughts on the behavioural phenotypes in Prader-Willi syndrome and velo-cardio-facial syndrome: a novel approach
Authors: Verhoeven Willem , Egger Jos , Tuinier Siegfried
Published: July 2007

Background:

In both Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and 22q11 deletion syndrome [velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS)], an increased risk for psychotic disorders is reported, which are as a rule not included in the behavioural phenotype of these two syndromes. For the description of a behavioural phenotype, the complete spectrum of physical, developmental, neuropsychological and psychiatric aspects is generally not taken into account. Moreover, psychiatric signs and symptoms often do not meet the criteria for a categorical diagnosis.

Objective:

In this study, a further specification of psychotic symptoms in PWS and VCFS is shown as well as a proposal for a new model to ascertain predictors, including behavioural, for a genetic syndrome.

Methods:

Over the past years, 27 patients with PWS and 19 with VCFS were referred for neuropsychiatric evaluation because of psychotic symptoms. In all the patients, a standardised psychiatric examination was performed; seven of the patients with VCFS were evaluated by means of an extensive neuropsychological battery.

Results:

In both patient groups, a rather specific psychopathological profile seemed to be present, which in the case of patients with PWS showed some resemblance with bipolar affective disorder. In patients with VCFS, no formal psychiatric diagnosis could be established. Because the psychopathological profiles were rather aspecific, they are not sufficient to predict membership of a certain syndrome.

Conclusions:

A quantitative probabilistic approach toward the description of a (behavioural) phenotype is suggested. For such a procedure, large data sets and international collaboration are required.
Wanted: A Psychologist
Authors: Jarrett Bede
Published: July 2007

Avery interesting book was once written by an American doctor on the authors and heroes of modern fiction. He submitted the writings of certain novelists of the United States and of these islands to an elaborate study, showing in the light of recent experimental psychology the various complexes of these authors and the public confessions which they involuntarily displayed in their books. Just as nowadays a man should be cautious about telling his dreams at the breakfast-table (an early amusement of the Victorian epoch) since dreams have been now Freudianly tabulated and will reveal at once his inhibited desires; so equally a modern author should be extremely careful how he writes and of what he writes, since inadvertently he is revealing not so much what he does, as what he would like to do if he dared.
Liberation and the Church in Africa
Authors: Visocchi Tony
Published: July 2007

Latin America in recent years has presented the world with a new development language and by the same token a new concept of Development. In an effort to disassociate themselves from the inadequacies of past development thinking, the term “development” itself has been dropped in favour of “liberation”. The proponents of such a change have been led as much by reflection on their own experience at grass roots level, as by the influence of such thinkers as Teilhard de Chardin, Fanon, Marcuse, Mao Tse Tung, Nyerere, Guevara and the Gospels as one would expect in the case of Bishop Camara and theologians such as Guttierez and Segundo. Even the works of one of the main exponents of this trend, Paolo Freire, although not making direct allusion to Gospel texts, uses a language steeped in Christian and evangelical culture.
Masticatory muscular activation in elderly individuals during chewing
Authors: Galo Rodrigo , Vitti Mathias , Mattos Maria da Glória Chiarello , Regalo Simone Cecílio Hallak
Published: July 2007

Background:  Old‐age is the last stage of human evolution and, unfortunately, the ageing of the oral cavity and masticatory system seems accelerated. As a consequence, there is a reduction in the amount of food ingested, which can lead to an imbalance in nutrition.

Objective:  The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of muscular activation of elderly individuals, during chewing, and to compare with young individuals.

Materials and Methods:  An electromyographical analysis of the masticatory system in 10 individuals aged between 60 and 75 years (elderly group) and a similar number between 23–30 years old (young group ‐ control) was carried out. The analysis was performed using a MyoSystem‐Br1 electromyographer with differential active electrodes. The test was recorded during functional conditions, and the muscles assessed were the temporalis and masseter. Data were normalised by maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), and the results were analysed using an independent t‐test for comparison between the groups.

Results:  The normalised electromyographic data obtained showed significant differences in both groups. Comparing the normalised values obtained for MVC, the mean values for the masseter and temporalis muscles of elderly group were statistically lower (p ≤ 0.05) than control group for harder foods, but there were no significant differences for food with the lowest consistency.

Conclusion:  It can be concluded that elderly individuals show slight hypoactivity of their masticatory musculature during chewing when compared to young individuals.
Surviving atlanto‐occipital dislocation
Authors: Bloom Benjamin M , Powell Bruce P
Published: July 2007

Traumatic atlanto‐occipital dislocation carries a significant mortality and morbidity. We present the clinical and radiological features of a case of traumatic skeletal and central nervous system disunion. Thanks to a combination of early resuscitation and luck, the patient survived an improbably severe injury to leave hospital and enjoy a degree of independent life. Such severe injuries are usually fatal and the literature on such extensive cervical disruption is often confined to postmortem evidence.
An unusual cause of exercise‐induced hyponatremia
Authors: Morton Adam
Published: July 2007

A case of exercise‐induced hyponatremia due to an unusual cause is presented.
The safety of nurse clearance of the cervical spine using the National Emergency X‐radiography Utilization Study low‐risk criteria
Authors: Meek Robert , McGannon Dan , Edwards Liza
Published: July 2007

Objectives:  To determine the level of agreement between trained ED nursing staff and senior ED medical staff in the application and interpretation of the National Emergency X‐radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS) low‐risk criteria (NLC).

Methods:  A NEXUS training and accreditation package was developed. It was successfully undertaken by 22 senior ED nursing staff and 26 senior ED medical staff. A study nurse and doctor independently applied the NLC to a convenience sample of patients who had been placed in a hard cervical collar prior to arrival in the ED. The findings for each of the NLC and the overall decision regarding collar removal were recorded on specific case report forms. The primary endpoint was the level of agreement for the overall decision to leave the collar in place. Levels of agreement for the individual NLC were also examined.

Results:  In total, 183 patients were recruited. The level of ‘safe agreement’ where nursing and medical staff agreed that the collar should be left in place was 94.3% (95% CI: 89.5–97.2%). Agreement with regard to individual NLC varied from good to fair. The median times from patient arrival to completion of study nurse and doctor assessments were 14 min (interquartile ranges [IQR] 5–30) and 29 min (IQR 15–47), respectively.

Conclusion:  The study demonstrated a high level of agreement between nursing and medical staff for stable low‐risk trauma patients.
Review of management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax: Is the best evidence clearer 15 years on?
Authors: Kelly Anne‐Maree
Published: July 2007

In 1993 Emergency Medicine Australasia (then Emergency Medicine [Fremantle]) published a therapeutic review on the management of spontaneous pneumothorax. That review found a lack of high‐quality evidence on which to base management decisions and a variety of therapeutic options without clear superiority one over another. Now, almost 15 years later, the present paper aims to revisit the evidence base to see if management choices are clearer.
Review of techniques for port closure: 1987–2007
Authors: Ng Wai‐Tat , Luk Hung‐To
Published: July 2007

Background:  2007 marks the 20th anniversary of the first successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Exactly two decades down the road now, laparoscopic surgery has evolved from a limited innovation to a routine surgical tool used to treat virtually all surgical indications. To commemorate this landmark historical event, we set out to collate all published literature to compile an archive encompassing all the techniques and their variations described for port‐site closure − an integral part of essentially every laparoscopic operation.

Methods/Results:  A Medline search in conjunction with diligent cross‐referencing of the index articles retrieved a total of 39 relevant publications. The array of differing techniques of various sophistications and their myriad modifications are systematically categorized into external hand‐sutured techniques (15) and laparoscopic‐assisted techniques (25). The latter constitutes the main bulk of the work and is further subdivided into methods making use of: (i) specially designed complex devices; (ii) suture carrier; (iii) straight needle; and (iv) needle/angiocatheter as conduit. They are critically appraised in terms of ergonomics, security and cost‐effectiveness.

Conclusion:  Publications dedicated to perfection of the closure technique have proliferated and improvements are continuously being made. Practising surgeons should be cognisant of the full range of techniques while familiarizing themselves with the useful ones deemed simple, safe and effective.
Silent duodenocolic fistula secondary to biliary stent migration
Authors: Ha Joe Ping‐Yiu , Leung Lik‐Hang , Tang Chung‐Ngai , Li Michael Ka‐Wah
Published: July 2007

Duodenocolic fistula is mostly caused by colonic malignancy. Other benign inflammatory causes include peptic ulcer, inflammatory bowel disease and cholecystitis. Iatrogenic causes are rare, and mostly related to operative injury to the duodenum or colon. In the era of endoscopic surgery, biliary stenting is increasingly used to treat benign and malignant biliary obstruction. We report a patient with duodenocolic fistula formation that was secondary to a migrating biliary stent. The patient was totally asymptomatic and the diagnosis was made incidentally by computed tomography of the abdomen. The fistula tract was finally resected after removal of the biliary stent.
Influence of salt stress on seed yield and oil quality of two sunflower hybrids
Authors: Di Caterina R. , Giuliani M.M. , Rotunno T. , De Caro A. , Flagella Z.
Published: July 2007

Sunflower is a major oil seed crop worldwide, and it is also an important crop in Mediterranean areas where salinity is an increasing problem. In this paper, the effect of saline irrigation water on seed yield and quality of sunflower was evaluated. A pot experiment was carried out over two crop seasons on two hybrids – a standard one (Carlos) and a high oleic one (Tenor) – submitted to five salinity levels of irrigation water (0.6, 3, 6, 9 and 12 dS m−1). Soil salinity was monitored over the entire crop cycle, and leaf ion content was determined at maturity. Tenor showed higher Na+and Mg2+content but lower K+values. No difference between the two hybrids was observed for Cl−content. A progressive increase in leaf Na+, K+and Cl−contents and Na+/K+ratio with increasing salinity level was observed. Seed weight per head, 1000 achene weight, number of seeds per plant and oil yield significantly decreased under salt stress in both hybrids. The percent seed yield decrease was higher per unit increase in electrical conductivity of irrigation water, ECw (8%), than per unit increase in electrical conductivity of saturated‐soil extracts, ECe (5%). Concerning oil fatty acid composition, the main significant difference as result of salt stress was a progressive increase in oleic acid content, from 82.2% to 86.7% for Tenor and from 21.8% to 27.3% for Carlos, which was consistent with a decrease in linoleic acid content, from 5.9% to 3% for Tenor and from 66% to 61.3% for Carlos. These results confirm the possible inhibition of oleate desaturase under salt stress.
Bean seed fly (Delia platura, Delia florilega) and onion fly (Delia antiqua) incidence in England and an evaluation of chemical and biological control options
Authors: Ellis S.A. , Scatcherd J.E.
Published: July 2007

Bean seed fly and onion fly are significant pests of alliaceous crops in the UK. Their activity was monitored using yellow water traps at three field sites in England in 2002 and 2003. Bean seed fly were not split between Delia platura or Delia florilega because from the growers point of view control measures are independent of species. The traps were effective at catching bean seed fly, which was present from April until September. A total of 1729 bean seed fly were trapped in 2002 and 4501 in 2003, with peak activity in May in both years. In 2003, there appeared to be three to four peaks in abundance of the pest. Only 113 onion flies were trapped in 2002 and 23 in 2003. More male onion fly were trapped than females. Pot experiments were carried out to evaluate efficacy of a range of insecticides, garlic and two parasitic nematode species (Steinernemafeltiae and Steinernema kraussei) against bean seed fly and onion fly. Pots of salad onions were exposed to natural oviposition by bean seed fly, but the onion fly experiment was carried out in a glasshouse with eggs of the pest being inoculated into the pots. Tefluthrin seed treatment appeared to be especially effective at preventing bean seed fly damage and produced the most robust seedlings but did not appear to kill the larvae. A drench of chlorpyrifos at the ‘crook’ stage gave 100% control of bean seed fly larvae. A chlorpyrifos drench was the only treatment to give effective control of onion fly. There was some evidence that the parasitic nematode S. feltiae reduced numbers of bean seed fly larvae by about 50%. Guidelines for control of both bean seed fly and onion fly are discussed.
Seed germination of the weed Rumex obtusifolius after on‐farm conventional, biodynamic and vermicomposting of cattle manure
Authors: Zaller J.G.
Published: July 2007

This study investigated whether composting methods differ in their impact on seed germination of Rumex obtusifolius (broad‐leaved dock). Weed seeds were buried in windrows of cattle farmyard manure, removed at monthly intervals and germinated during the course of 7 months. Composting methods differed in the maximum temperatures reached (63°C for conventional and biodynamic composting and 35°C for vermicomposting), the addition of 1000 m−2 earthworms (Eisenia fetida) for vermicomposting and the inoculation of biodynamic preparations for biodynamic composting. After 1 month in windrows, germination rate of Rumex seeds was significantly higher in vermicompost (48%) than in conventional (28%) or biodynamic compost (18%). After 2 months in windrows, 26% of the seeds germinated in vermicomposting windrows, while those inserted in conventional and biodynamic windrows showed a negligible germination (0% and 2%, respectively). After 3 and 4 months, only seeds under vermicomposting germinated (22% and 3%, respectively). No germination was determined when seeds were inserted for longer than 4 months in any of the treatments. Seeds stored at room temperature germinated at 89% over the course of the experiment. Results suggest that the maximum temperature reached in windrows is not the single main factor reducing weed seed germination during composting.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF HEAT PENETRATION DATA USING REMOTE SENSORS AND NEEDLE OR ROD‐IN‐TUBE THERMOCOUPLES
Authors: AWUAH G.B. , KHURANA A. , WEDDIG L.M. , BALESTRINI C.G.
Published: July 2007

Using 5% w/v bentonite suspension as model food, studies were conducted to evaluate the performance of internally mounted remote sensors relative to thermocouples in 300 × 407 cans. These studies were done to essentially evaluate the impact of remote sensors on heat penetration parameters, mainly jh (the lag factor) and fh (the heating rate index), for different retort rpm, container headspace (HS) and mode of agitation in FMC's Steritort (FMC Food Tech, Madera, CA) and/or the Allpax R&D retort (Model 2402, Covington, LA). The criterion used for evaluating the performance of the sensors was the Ball process time (Bb), which combines both jh and fh. Generally, some variations in heat penetration data were observed between remote sensor types and thermocouples. With some exceptions, calculated mean Bb values for the remote sensors and thermocouples were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). The exceptions depended on the remote sensor type and mode of container agitation, but generally, variations in measured parameters from that of the reference thermocouple were attributed to container HS, retort rpm, sensor configuration and mounting fixture design. For axial agitation in the Steritort using 300 × 407 two‐piece cans, the average Ball process times were generally higher (i.e., longer process times) for thermocouples compared to the remote sensors with the percentage difference ranging from 2 to 7%. The range was 2 to 8% for end‐over‐end agitation with water immersion, and 1 to 6% for still cook in steam using the Allpax R&D retort using 300 × 407 three‐piece cans. Given the unusually high percentage differences found for some of the experimental conditions, caution must be exercised in using these variations as correction factors in adjusting remote sensor data without a thorough understanding of the behavior and interaction of that specific sensor with HS and retort rpm.
OPTIMIZING ELECTRON BEAM IRRADIATION OF “TOMMY ATKINS” MANGOES (MANGIFERA INDICA L.)
Authors: MORENO MARIA A. , CASTELL‐PEREZ M. ELENA , GOMES CARMEN , DA SILVA PAULO F. , KIM JONGSOON , MOREIRA ROSANA G.
Published: July 2007

We determined the optimum irradiation treatment for decontamination of physiologically mature fresh “Tommy Atkins” mangoes, without detriment to the fruits' sensory and chemical properties. Mangoes were irradiated at 1.0, 1.5 and 3.1 kGy using a 10‐MeV linear accelerator (14‐kW LINAC, double beam mode). Mangoes were stored for 21 days at 12C and 62.7% relative humidity with nonirradiated fruits as controls. Dose distribution within the fruit was determined using Monte Carlo techniques. Irradiation did not affect the overall sensory quality of mangoes at doses up to 1.5 kGy. Only fruits irradiated at 3.1 kGy were unacceptable by the panelists. Irradiation at 3.1 kGy enhanced the fruit's aroma characteristics. Irradiation at all levels caused a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease (∼50–70%) in ascorbic acid content by the end of storage. Mangoes irradiated at 1.5 and 3.1 kGy had slightly higher levels of phenolics than the control (27.4 and 18.3%, respectively). E‐beam irradiation of Tommy Atkins mangoes up to 3.0 kGy causes no detriment to the fruit's overall sensory and chemical quality.
THE EFFECT OF ENZYMATIC MASH TREATMENT, PRESSING, CENTRIFUGATION, HOMOGENIZATION, DEAERATION, STERILIZATION AND STORAGE ON CARROT JUICE
Authors: LIAO HONGMEI , SUN YING , NI YUANYING , LIAO XIAOJUN , HU XIAOSONG , WU JIHONG , CHEN FANG
Published: July 2007

The enzyme preparation Pectinex Smash XXL was employed to macerate the carrot pulp, the effect of enzymatic mash treatment (EMT), pressing, centrifugation, homogenization, deaeration, sterilization and storage on carrot juice was investigated. As compared with the control sample, an increase of juice yield, total soluble solid (TSS) and carotenoids in carrot juice was close to 20%, 1% and 26 mg/kg, respectively, after EMT. The EMT also increased the color parameters CIEL*, a*and C*values in carrot juice. However, it significantly decreased the viscosity from 2.54 to 2.09 mPa·s. The centrifugation resulted in a significant decline in turbidity from 240.33 to 187.33 NTU and a significant increase in the color parameters in carrot juice. After homogenization, the turbidity and the carotenoids in carrot juice were significantly reduced from 187.33 to 161.67 NTU and from 61.87 to 58.76 mg/kg, respectively. The turbidity and carotenoids in carrot juice decreased during storage, and all the color parameters had a closer relationship with storage temperature and time; higher storage temperature and longer storage time caused greater loss of color.
ACCELERATED SOLVENT EXTRACTION AND FRACTIONED EXTRACTION TO OBTAIN THE CURCUMA LONGA VOLATILE OIL AND OLEORESIN
Authors: BRAGA MARA E.M. , MEIRELES M. ANGELA A.
Published: July 2007

Curcuma longa L. is a common species among the aromatic plants in Brazil. The roots are used in dairy food as colorant and flavoring substitute for saffron. Turmeric (C. longa L.) contains curcuminoids that have antimutagenic and antioxidant activities, and is thus used for the formulation of foods for the prevention of cancer. Turmeric extracts rich in curcuminoids were obtained using a mixture of CO2 and EtOH/IsoC3, and the assays were performed in a fixed bed extractor at 300 bar, 303 K. The bed's height effect was studied, maintaining constant the bed diameter and porosity; for the accelerated solvent extraction, the cosolvent percentages used were 10, 50 and 90% (v/v), with or without a static period of 30 min. The curcuminoid content was monitored using a spectrophotometer; the volatile oil was analyzed by gas chromatography‐flame ionization detector, and the extract chemical profile was observed by thin‐layer chromatography. The overall extraction curves showed that by keeping the relation between solvent and raw material constant, maximum extraction yield was obtained in a shorter time using the lowest bed height (HB/DB = 1.8). The supercritical fluid extraction using 50% of the cosolvent that employed the static period increased the curcuminoid content (0.72% of curcuminoids) and reached ∼10% of extract yield.
Influence of the surface on thrombin generation
Authors: STIEF T. W.
Published: July 2007

Thrombin generation depends on the surface of the blood vessel or container. With a new ultra‐sensitive and ‐specific thrombin assay the surface‐dependent thrombin generation was quantified. Citrated blood or plasma was preincubated for 1 h (37 °C). Citrated blood, plasma, or plasma with 0–10 g/l hemoglobin–erythrocyte microparticles (Hb–MP) were preincubated at 23 °C or at 37 °C. Plasma samples (50 μl) were recalcified in polystyrol (PS) wells and incubated for different coagulation reaction times (CRT). Final supramolar arginine concentrations, 0.1% Triton X 100, and chromogenic thrombin substrate concentrations in the onefold km–range were added and the linear ΔA/t was measured in the recalcified coagulation activity assay (RECA). Aprotinin or corn trypsin inhibitor were added. (i) Recalcification of plasma (in different monovettes) pre‐incubated for 1 h (37 °C) generated the following thrombin activities after 7 min (37 °C): 0.74 IU/ml (polypropylene (PP)‐citrate), 0.39 IU/ml (PP‐EDTA), 0.06 IU/ml (PP‐heparin), 1.38 IU/ml (PS), 0.63 IU/ml (1 ml volume PP), 0.13 IU/ml (15 ml volume PP), and 3.62 IU/ml (glass). (ii) Recalcification of preincubated whole blood generated up to about fivefold more thrombin. (iii) Thrombin generation is proportional to the plasmatic concentration of Hb–MP, 10 g/l Hb–MP generating about 4 IU/ml thrombin within 20 min CRT. (iv) The IC50 of aprotinin and corn typsin inhibitor on thrombin generation in RECA are about 2 KIU/ml and about 1 U/ml, respectively. The reaction wall, the preincubation temperature, and hemolysis influences thrombin generation. The RECA allows to diagnose the prothrombotic capacity of any material.
Reference limits and behaviour of serum transferrin receptor in children 6–10 years of age
Authors: DANISE P. , MACONI M. , MORELLI G. , DI PALMA A. , RESCIGNO G. , ESPOSITO C. , AVINO D. , TALENTO B.
Published: July 2007

Serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) originates mostly from erythroblasts and lesser from reticulocytes. The usefulness of sTfR has been implicated in several clinical situations, mainly as a marker of accelerated erythropoiesis or iron deficiency. The assessment of sTfR may be useful in the period of rapid growth during infancy, childhood and adolescence. We evaluated sTfR and the other quantitative and qualitative parameters of the erythropoiesis (Hb, MCV, CHr, Ret‐He) and of the iron storage (serum ferritin, sTfR/ferritin index) in a total of 916 children aged 6–10 years. Children were divided into three groups: (A) healthy children, (B) with storage iron deficiency (serum ferritin < 12 μg/l) and (C) Beta trait carriers (HbA2 > 3.3). We determined reference intervals by sex and by age in healthy children . sTfR showed a slight but statistically significant age related increase but did not show significant sex differences. We compared sTfR and the other parameters investigated in the three groups of children. sTfR is not a decisive parameter that can be utilized alone in discriminating the border‐line situations between normal and pathologic ones but can help in completing the panel of tests in iron deficiency and in thalassaemia Beta trait carriers.
THE MEASUREMENT OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS IN SOUTH AFRICA USING COHORT ANALYSIS, 1994‐20041
Authors: Branson Nicola , Wittenberg Martin
Published: July 2007

We analyse trends in employment, unemployment and labour force participation by simple graphical techniques, using all the October Household Surveys and the September Labour Force Surveys. We show that African male employment in 1995 seems high, when compared to all the other surveys. Furthermore much of the increase in African female labour force participation is concentrated in the period 1998 to 2000, which suggests that measurement and sampling changes may be partially responsible for the trend. We track cohorts of individuals over the eleven years for which we have data. We show that young people are leaving school earlier, while being better educated than their elders. They are not, however, being absorbed into employment at a faster rate. This has led to a spike in youth unemployment.
SOURCES OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN SUB‐SAHARAN AFRICA1
Authors: Ahmed Abdullahi D , Suardi Sandy
Published: July 2007

This paper provides some empirical evidence on the sources of growth in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Within the classical convergence framework, several macroeconomic, socio and political factors are identified as affecting the steady state growth paths of the SSA countries. The rejection of the constant technology growth rate assumption implied by the linearised Solow‐Swan growth specification suggests differences in the economies' technology growth rates. An endogenous technology growth model is estimated to measure contributions of diminishing returns and technology transfer to the rate of conditional convergence in the region. The results carry important policy implications for improving the standard of living and economic growth rate of African countries.
FORECASTING RECESSION IN SOUTH AFRICA: A COMPARISON OF THE YIELD CURVE AND OTHER ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Authors: Khomo Melvin Muzi , Aziakpono Meshach Jesse
Published: July 2007

The paper uses the standard probit model proposed by Estrella and Mishkin (1996), as well as the modified probit model suggested by Dueker (1997), to examine the ability of the yield curve to predict recessions in South Africa, and compares its predictive power with other commonly used variables such as the growth rate of real money supply, changes in stock prices and the index of leading economic indicators. Compared with other indicators, real M3 growth does not provide much information about future recessions, whilst movements in the All‐Share index provide information for up to 12 months but do not do better than the yield curve. The index of leading economic indicators outperforms the yield spread in the short run up to 4 months but the yield spread performs better at longer horizons.
THE ROLE OF COMMODITY PRICES IN MACROECONOMIC POLICY IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Ocran Matthew Kofi , Biekpe Nicholas
Published: July 2007

This paper examines whether commodity prices can be used as signal for informing macroeconomic policy in South Africa using the new approach for testing Granger causality developed by Toda and Yamamoto (1995). Evidence of causality from average gold price to interest rate, money, exchange rate and the consumer price index was observed. Again, evidence of causality was observed from metals price index to interest rate, money and exchange rate. The results suggest there is merit in using South Africa's average gold price and the metals price index of the International Monetary Fund as informational variables in setting monetary policy.
Elastodynamics of Nonshallow Suspended Cables: Linear Modal Properties
Authors: Lacarbonara Walter , Paolone Achille , Vestroni Fabrizio
Published: July 2007

A mechanical model describing finite motions of nonshallow cables around the initial catenary configurations is proposed. An exact kinematic formulation accounting for finite displacements is adopted, whereas the material is assumed to be linearly elastic. The nondimensional mechanical parameters governing the motions of nonshallow cables are obtained via a suitable nondimensionalization, and the regions of their physically plausible values are portrayed. The spectral properties of linear unforced undamped vibrations around the initial static configurations are investigated via a Galerkin-Ritz discretization. A classification of the modes is obtained on the basis of their associated energy content, leading to geometric modes, elastostatic modes (with prevalent transverse motions and appreciable stretching), and elastodynamic modes (with prevalent longitudinal motion). Moreover, an extension of Irvine’s model to moderately nonshallow cables is proposed to determine the frequencies and mode shapes in closed form.
Identification for Sucker-Rod Pumping System’s Damping Coefficients Based on Chain Code Method of Pattern Recognition
Authors: Liu Hongzhao , Liu Baixi , Yuan Daning , Rao Jianhua
Published: July 2007

In this paper, a method for identifying the damping coefficients of a directional well sucker-rod pumping system is put forward by means of the chain code method of pattern recognition. The 24-directional chain code is provided to encode the dynamometer card curve. The parametric equation of the dynamometer card curve is transformed into Fourier series whose coefficients can be computed according to the curve’s chain codes. By means of these coefficients, shape characteristics of the curve are extracted. The Euclidean distance is introduced as the measurement of similar degree between the shape characteristics of measured dynamometer card and that of simulated dynamometer card. Changing the value of viscous damping coefficient and Coulomb friction coefficient in the simulation program, different simulated dynamometer cards are obtained. Substituting their shape characteristics to the Euclidean distance, respectively, a series of distances are acquired. When the distance is less than the given error, the corresponding values of the damping coefficients in the simulation program are regarded as real damping coefficients of the sucker-rod pumping system of directional well. In the end, an example is provided to show the correctness and effectiveness of the presented method.
K-Hybrid: A Kurtosis-Based Hybrid Thresholding Method for Mechanical Signal Denoising
Authors: Hong Hoonbin , Liang Ming
Published: July 2007

This paper presents a kurtosis-based hybrid thresholding method, K-hybrid, for denoising mechanical fault signals. The threshold used in the hybrid thresholding method is determined based on kurtosis, which is an important indicator of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal. This together with its sensitivity to outliers and data-driven nature makes a kurtosis-based threshold particularly suitable for on-line detection of mechanical faults featuring impulsive signals. To better reflect the signal composition, the proposed hybrid thresholding rule divides the wavelet transformed input signals into four zones associated with different denoising actions. This alleviates the difficulties present in the simple keep-or-remove and shrink-or-remove approaches adopted by the hard- and soft-thresholding rules. The boundaries of the four zones are on-line adjusted in response to the kurtosis change of the signal. Our simulation results suggest that the mean squared error (MSE) is unable to distinguish the results in terms of the amount of falsely identified impulses. It is therefore inappropriate to use MSE alone for evaluating the denoising results of mechanical signals. As such, a combined criterion incorporating both MSE and false identification power Pfalse is proposed. Our analysis has shown that the proposed K-hybrid approach outperforms the soft, hard, and BayesShrink thresholding methods in terms of the combined criterion. It also compares favorably to the MAP thresholding method for signals with low kurtosis or low SNR. The proposed approach has been successfully applied to noise reduction and fault feature extraction of bearing signals.
Effect of Thread and Bearing Friction Coefficients on the Vibration-Induced Loosening of Threaded Fasteners
Authors: Housari Basil A. , Nassar Sayed A.
Published: July 2007

This study provides a theoretical and experimental investigation of the effect of the thread and bearing friction coefficients on the self-loosening of threaded fasteners that are subjected to cyclic transverse loads. The friction coefficients are varied by using different types of coating and lubrication. A phosphate and oil coating and an olefin and molydisulfide solid film lubricant are used on the bolts tested. A mathematical model is developed to evaluate the self-loosening behavior in threaded fasteners when subjected to cyclic transverse loads. An experimental procedure and test setup are proposed in order to collect real-time data on the loosening rate (rate of clamp load loss per cycle) as well as the rotational angle of the bolt head during its gradual loosening. The experimental values of the friction coefficients are used in the mathematical model to monitor their effect on the theoretical results for the loosening rate. Experimentally, the friction coefficients are modified by changing the coating or the lubrication applied to the fasteners. The theoretical and experimental results are presented and discussed.
Nutrition and hydration concerns of the female football player: Table 1
Authors: Maughan Ronald J , Shirreffs Susan M
Published: July 2007

There is little information on the nutritional habits of female football players at any level of the game. There is also a shortage of information on the nutrition and hydration strategies that players should adopt. In general, differences in nutritional needs between males and females are smaller than differences between individuals, so that principles developed for male players also apply to women. There is a need to address energy balance and body composition: prolonged energy deficits cannot be sustained without harm to health and performance. Published reports show mean carbohydrate intakes for female players of about 5 g/kg/day, and this seems to be too low to sustain consistent intensive training. The timing of protein intake may be as important as the amounts consumed, provided that the total intake is adequate. Dehydration adversely affects skill and stamina in women as it does in men, so an individualised hydration strategy should be developed. The prevalence of iron deficiency in women generally is high, but it seems to be alarmingly high in female players. All players should adopt dietary habits that ensure adequate iron intake. Football training seems to increase bone mass in the weight-bearing limbs, with positive implications for bone health in later life, but some players may be at risk from inadequate calcium dietary intake.
VORTEX STATE IN f-WAVE SUPERCONDUCTORS
Authors: HAN QIANG
Published: July 2007

Motivated by the controversy concerning the pairing symmetry of the superconducting sodium-doped cobalt oxide, we investigate the microscopic electronic structure of an f-wave superconductor in the vortex state by diagonalizing an effective Hamiltonian specified in the triangular lattice self-consistently. We find that the low-lying vortex core states are in essence extended for the nodal f-wave superconductors. In comparison, we find localized bound states in the vortex core of the fully-gapped (d + id')-wave superconductors.
THE EFFECT OF MECHANICAL TENSION ON DNA POLYMERASE ACTIVITY STUDIED WITH A TWO-STATE MODEL
Authors: SHU YAOGEN , SHI HUALIN
Published: July 2007

Single-molecule experiments revealed that the replication rate of T7 DNA polymerase has a peak value at tension of about 5.5 pN. However, the mechanism leading to this peak has only been partially investigated. Here, we present a two-state model to investigate the effect of mechanical tension on DNA polymerase activity. The model consists of polymerase and exonuclease. The polymerase's kinetic pathway has been simplified into Michaelis–Menten form with two steps. One is the conformational change from "open" to "close". The other is the base-stacking. The results are in good agreement with experimental observations. We also predict that the tension on template is beneficial to the fidelity of DNA replication.
OPTICAL PHASE-CONJUGATION PROPERTY OF THREE-PHOTON EXCITED BACKWARD STIMULATED EMISSION
Authors: HE GUANG S. , ZHENG QINGDONG , CHENG NING , XU FAMING , PRASAD PARAS N.
Published: July 2007

Three-photon pumped cavityless lasing experiments have shown that the forward and backward stimulated emission (cavityless lasing) beams manifest different divergence angles and spatial/temporal fluctuation behaviors. When a dye solution as the gain medium is pumped by a pulsed laser beam with ~ 1500-nm wavelength and ~ 150-fs pulse duration, the backward stimulated emission beam exhibits a smaller divergence angle and much better spatial/temporal stability than the forward stimulated emission beam. These apparently unexpected results can be explained reasonably by assuming that the backward stimulated emission beam exhibits an optical phase-conjugation property, so that influences from a random spatial/temporal change of the refractive-index in the lasing medium can be automatically removed for this backward lasing beam. A physical model of wave-front reconstruction via pump-beam induced holographic grating in an aberrated gain medium is proposed, which is supported by a rigorous theoretical analysis.
OPTICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING IN DISPERSION VARYING FIBER
Authors: SYSOLIATIN ALEXEJ A. , NOLAN DANIEL A.
Published: July 2007

The fibers with dispersion varying along length have important applications in optical signal processing such as high-quality optical pulse compression, stable continuum generation, nonlinear dynamic dispersion compensation and other applications. This paper describes the basic idea and experimental results.
MULTIPLE QUASI-PHASE MATCHING IN ENGINEERED DOMAIN-INVERTED OPTICAL SUPERLATTICE
Authors: LU MING , CHEN XIANFENG
Published: July 2007

With the emergence of engineered domain-inverted optical superlattices in recent years, multiple quasi-phase-matching (QPM) can be achieved in a single chip crystal, and has wide applications in frequency conversion. Of late, some approaches have been proposed in constructing a domain-inverted optical superlattice in order to implement multiple QPM. This paper briefly reviews the development of multiple QPM, and introduces main applications and new approaches in this field.
MODEL FOR MOLECULAR DIRECTOR CONFIGURATION IN A LIQUID CRYSTAL CELL WITH MULTIPLE INTERFACES
Authors: PEZZI LUIGIA , VELTRI ALESSANDRO , DE LUCA ANTONIO , UMETON CESARE
Published: July 2007

The study of optical solitons and light filaments steering in liquid crystal requires the utilization of particular cells designed for top view investigation and realized with an input interface which enables the control of the molecular director configuration, preventing light scattering. Actually, the director orientation imposed by this additional interface is estimated only by experimental observations. We report a simple model describing the distribution of the director orientation inside a liquid crystal sample under the anchoring action of multiple interfaces. The model is based on the elastic continuum theory, and strong anchoring is taken into account for boundary conditions. Results are in good agreement with experimental observations.
The Role ofPaxGenes in the Development of Tissues and Organs:Pax3andPax7Regulate Muscle Progenitor Cell Functions
Authors: Buckingham Margaret , Relaix Frédéric
Published: July 2007

Pax genes play key roles in the formation of tissues and organs during embryogenesis. Pax3 and Pax7 mark myogenic progenitor cells and regulate their behavior and their entry into the program of skeletal muscle differentiation. Recent results have underlined the importance of the Pax3/7 population of cells for skeletal muscle development and regeneration. We present our current understanding of different aspects of Pax3/7 function in myogenesis, focusing on the mouse model. This is compared with that of other Pax proteins in the emergence of tissue specific lineages and their differentiation as well as in cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Finally, we consider the molecular mechanisms that underlie the function of Pax transcription factors, including the cofactors and regulatory networks with which they interact.
Law and Collective Memory
Authors: Savelsberg Joachim J. , King Ryan D.
Published: July 2007

Law and collective memory are reciprocally associated. Law steers collective memory, directly but selectively, as trials produce images of the past through the production and presentation of evidence in ritual practices and public discourse. Law affects collective memory indirectly by regulating the production, accessibility, and dissemination of information about the past. Simultaneously, collective memory is preserved and activated by carrier groups to inform lawmaking and law enforcement; and memories of past atrocities serve as analogical devices that, under certain conditions, influence law. Such institutionalization of collective memory as law partly results from applied commemorations, lawmaking situations that invoke the past. The relevance of the reciprocal relationship between law and collective memory is highlighted by the international community's responses to recent atrocities and regime transitions and by its new openness to intervention in national affairs. This article reviews past research and discusses avenues for future work on law and collective memory.