bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sink: The Dirt of Systems
Authors: Gabrys Jennifer
Published: August 2009

Sinks are a device within environmental studies that describe spaces and processes that capture and channel wastes. This paper first explores sinks both as a cultural figure of environmental understanding and as an important technoscientific instrument within current attempts to describe the global carbon cycle in relation to climate change. The movement of wastes to and through sinks is often characterized as a metabolic operation, and this metabolic framing forms a key part of this investigation. Drawing on Serres's notion of the parasite, the paper considers how waste, noise, and interference may characterize other types of metabolic exchange that allow for a revised approach to sinks. The second section of this paper considers how waste ‘spills’ across environments in space and time. Spills are a way to describe the movement and exchange of wastes that do not conform to a clear trajectory or network, but, rather, express more formless and even disruptive geographies. Three ‘spills’ then structure this examination of the movement and mutation of waste, including the elusive transfer of carbon found within the ‘missing sinks’ in the biosphere, the indistinct exchanges of carbon and other wastes that occur with human and nonhuman bodies, and the uncertain exchanges and accumulations of carbon wastes in the future. In this investigation I argue that sinks point toward the revision of the notion that environments are or should be in metabolic balance, in favor of more complex and hybrid ecologies and exchanges that incorporate the transformative capacities of waste. Concluding with Bennett's discussion of the ‘ecology of matter’, this paper then suggests that the dynamic qualities of waste and matter require renewed attention to environmental exchanges, practices, and imaginings.
Making Publics: Immigrants, Regimes of Publicity and Entry to ‘The Public’
Authors: Staeheli Lynn A , Mitchell Don , Nagel Caroline R
Published: August 2009

As groups struggle to gain visibility and voice in the public sphere and as new publics form, they may expand the sense of inclusiveness within a polity, but these new publics may also rub against broader, hegemonic ideals of ‘the’ public sphere. This paper utilises the concept of ‘regimes of publicity’ to explore how marginalised groups are included in the public. Regimes of publicity are the prevailing system of laws, practices, and relations that condition the qualities of a public and the ways that it is situated with respect to other publics. In exploring how publics might be formed and received, we focus on three interlinked elements of regimes of publicity—community and social norms, legitimacy, and the relations that constitute property—as they condition the strategies of activists and the resources that different agents and institutions bring to struggles over entry to the public. The argument we present highlights the ongoing nature of struggles for access to the public realm and the fragmented nature of the public.
Regional variations in wildfire susceptibility of land-cover types in Portugal: implications for landscape management to minimize fire hazard
Authors: Moreira Francisco , Vaz Pedro , Catry Filipe , Silva Joaquim S.
Published: August 2009

Patterns of wildfire occurrence at the landscape level were characterised during the period 1990–94 in Portugal. Based on land-cover information within 5591 burned patches (larger than 5 ha) and in the surrounding landscape, selection ratio functions were used to measure fire preference or avoidance for different land-cover types in 12 regions of the country. Shrublands were the most fire-prone land cover, whereas annual crops, permanent crops and agro-forestry systems were the most avoided by fire. In terms of forest types, conifer plantations were more susceptible to fire than eucalyptus, and broadleaved forests were the least fire-prone. There were regional variations in land-cover susceptibility to fire, which may be explained by differences in climate, management, ignition patterns, firefighting strategies, and regional availability. A cluster analysis of regional variations in selection ratios for all land covers allowed the identification of three main geographical areas with similar fire selection patterns. These results can be used for planning landscape-scale fuel management in order to create landscapes with a lower fire hazard.
Marc Freeman: Fishing for the function of fly glia
Authors: Williams Ruth
Published: August 2009

Freeman uses the power of fly genetics to get to grips with glia.
Evolution of complexity in the integrin adhesome
Authors: Zaidel-Bar Ronen
Published: August 2009

Integrin-mediated adhesion is as ancient as multicellularity, but it was not always as complex as it is in humans. Here, I examine the extent of conservation of 192 adhesome proteins across the genomes of nine model organisms spanning one and a half billion years of evolution. The work reveals that Rho GTPases, lipid- and serine/threonine-kinases, and phosphatases existed before integrins, but tyrosine phosphorylation developed concomitant with integrins. The expansion of specific functional groups such as GAPs, GEFs, adaptors, and receptors is demonstrated, along with the expansion of specific protein domains, such as SH3, PH, SH2, CH, and LIM. Expansion is due to gene duplication and creation of families of paralogues. Apparently, these paralogues share few partners and create new sets of interactions, thus increasing specificity and the repertoire of integrin-mediated signaling. Interestingly, the average number of interactions positively correlates with the evolutionary age of proteins. While shedding light on the evolution of adhesome complexity, this analysis also highlights the relevance and creates a framework for studying integrin-mediated adhesion in simpler model organisms.
Asymmetry of inner dynein arms and inter-doublet links in Chlamydomonas flagella
Authors: Bui Khanh Huy , Sakakibara Hitoshi , Movassagh Tandis , Oiwa Kazuhiro , Ishikawa Takashi
Published: August 2009

Although the widely shared “9 + 2” structure of axonemes is thought to be highly symmetrical, axonemes show asymmetrical bending during planar and conical motion. In this study, using electron cryotomography and single particle averaging, we demonstrate an asymmetrical molecular arrangement of proteins binding to the nine microtubule doublets in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii flagella. The eight inner arm dynein heavy chains regulate and determine flagellar waveform. Among these, one heavy chain (dynein c) is missing on one microtubule doublet (this doublet also lacks the outer dynein arm), and another dynein heavy chain (dynein b or g) is missing on the adjacent doublet. Some dynein heavy chains either show an abnormal conformation or were replaced by other proteins, possibly minor dyneins. In addition to nexin, there are two additional linkages between specific pairs of doublets. Interestingly, all these exceptional arrangements take place on doublets on opposite sides of the axoneme, suggesting that the transverse functional asymmetry of the axoneme causes an in-plane bending motion.
Real-time in vivo imaging of p16Ink4a reveals cross talk with p53
Authors: Yamakoshi Kimi , Takahashi Akiko , Hirota Fumiko , Nakayama Rika , Ishimaru Naozumi , Kubo Yoshiaki , Mann David J. , Ohmura Masako , Hirao Atsushi , Saya Hideyuki , Arase Seiji , Hayashi Yoshio , Nakao Kazuki , Matsumoto Mitsuru , Ohtani Naoko , Hara Eiji
Published: August 2009

Expression of the p16Ink4a tumor suppressor gene, a sensor of oncogenic stress, is up-regulated by a variety of potentially oncogenic stimuli in cultured primary cells. However, because p16Ink4a expression is also induced by tissue culture stress, physiological mechanisms regulating p16Ink4a expression remain unclear. To eliminate any potential problems arising from tissue culture–imposed stress, we used bioluminescence imaging for noninvasive and real-time analysis of p16Ink4a expression under various physiological conditions in living mice. In this study, we show that oncogenic insults such as ras activation provoke epigenetic derepression of p16Ink4a expression through reduction of DNMT1 (DNA methyl transferase 1) levels as a DNA damage response in vivo. This pathway is accelerated in the absence of p53, indicating that p53 normally holds the p16Ink4a response in check. These results unveil a backup tumor suppressor role for p16Ink4a in the event of p53 inactivation, expanding our understanding of how p16Ink4a expression is regulated in vivo.
Cell biologists expand their networks
Authors: Short Ben
Published: August 2009

High-throughput omics technologies generate huge datasets on the protein, transcript, lipid, and metabolite content of cells. By integrating and analyzing these data, systems biologists study complex networks of physical and functional interactions that go beyond the traditional focus on individual proteins or linear pathways. Many cell biologists have greeted these developments with healthy skepticism, complaining that long lists of genes or “hairballs” of interactions provide little insight into biological questions of genuine meaning. As omics techniques move beyond acquisition into hypothesis-driven applications, the chasm between systems biologists and cell biologists is narrowing and the benefits of working together are increasingly clear. While cell biologists need omics and computer analyses to extend their understanding of biological processes, omics scientists need cell biologists to help them interpret and use their vast amounts of data.
Risk factor management: antiatherogenic therapies
Authors: Gielen Stephan , Sandri Marcus , Schuler Gerhard , Teupser Daniel
Published: August 2009

Despite the advances in interventional techniques, the management of stable atherosclerosis remains the domain of optimal guideline-oriented therapy. Recent studies on the effects of aggressive lipid lowering on atheroma volume changes using intravascular ultrasound indicate that it is possible to achieve atherosclerosis regression by reaching low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels less than 75 mg/dl. The pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effects of statins contribute to the reduction of cardiovascular (CV) event observed with aggressive lipid lowering. As a second important strategy to prevent disease progression, lifestyle changes with regular physical exercise are capable of halting the atherosclerotic process and reducing angina symptoms and CV events. Optimal medical therapy, a healthy lifestyle with regular physical exercise, and coronary interventions are not mutually exclusive treatment strategies. Over the last few decades, both have proved to be effective in significantly reducing the CV mortality in the Western world. However, risk factor modification contributed to at least half the effect in the reduction of CV mortality. This figure provides an estimate of what could be achieved if we were to take risk factor modification more seriously – especially in the acute care setting. The knowledge is there: today we have a better understanding on how to stop progression and even induce regression of atherosclerosis. Much research still needs to be done and will be done. In the meantime, however, our primary focus should lie in implementing what is already known. In addition, it is essential not just to treat CV risk factors, but also to treat them to achieve the target values as set by the guidelines of European Society of Cardiology.
Recent progress in the genetics of common obesity
Authors: Loos Ruth J. F.
Published: August 2009

The genetic contribution to interindividual variation in common obesity has been estimated at 40–70%. Yet, despite a relatively high heritability, the search for obesity susceptibility genes has been an arduous task. This paper reviews recent progress made in the obesity genetics field with an emphasis on established obesity susceptibility loci identified through candidate gene as well as genome‐wide studies. For the last 15 years, candidate gene and genome‐wide linkage studies have been the two main genetic epidemiological approaches to identify genetic loci for common traits, yet progress has been slow and success limited. Only recently have candidate gene studies started to succeed; by means of large‐scale studies and meta‐analyses at least five variants in four candidate genes have been found to be robustly associated with obesity‐related traits. Genome‐wide linkage studies, however, have so far not been able to pinpoint genetic loci for common obesity. The genome‐wide association approach, which has become available in recent years, has dramatically changed the pace of gene discoveries for common disease, including obesity. Three waves of large‐scale high‐density genome‐wide association studies have already discovered at least 15 previously unanticipated genetic loci incontrovertibly associated with body mass index and extreme obesity risk. Although the combined contribution of these loci to the variation in obesity risk at the population level is small and their predictive value is typically low, these recently discovered loci are set to improve fundamentally our insights into the pathophysiology of obesity.
Albendazole and its metabolites in the breast milk of lactating women following a single oral dose of albendazole
Authors: Abdel‐tawab Ahmed M. , Bradley Mark , Ghazaly Essam A. , Horton John , El‐Setouhy Maged
Published: August 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Albendazole is used in several anthelminthic drug programs.

• It may be necessary to include sectors of the community (such as breastfeeding women) not previously involved in community or clinical programmes (e.g. filariasis, hydatid disease) to achieve a reasonable level of elimination of the worm.

• However, there are no studies in which the amount of the drug and/or its metabolites in the milk of lactating women was analysed, so as to assess the possible exposure of the breastfed infant.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• In the present study, the concentrations of albendazole and its active metabolite (albendazole sulphoxide) were analysed in the milk of lactating women through 36 h after administration of a single (400 mg) oral dose of albendazole.

• Albendazole was barely secreted in milk as such.

• On the other hand, albendazole sulphoxide was analysed through the 36 h of the study, and it was concluded that albendazole and albendazole sulphoxide attain levels in breast milk that are unlikely to be considered harmful for the breastfed infant.

• These findings would help in deciding whether to involve breastfeeding mothers in albendazole mass drug administration programmes.

AIMS

Albendazole (ABZ) is used in several anthelminthic drug programmws. ABZ side‐effects are generally mild, but ABZ‐induced pancytopenia may be serious. In filariasis programmes, it may be necessary to administer ABZ to breastfeeding women. Few data are available on safety of ABZ for breastfed infants. In addition, the pharmacokinetics of ABZ and its metabolites in human milk is insufficiently investigated. The aim was to study pharmacokinetics of ABZ and its metabolites [ABZ sulphoxide (ABSX) and ABZ sulphone] in the breast milk lactating women after one single oral dose of ABZ.

METHODS

Thirty‐three lactating women (age 18–40 years) participated in the study. They received a single oral 400‐mg dose of ABZ. Five milk samples were taken at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 36 h. One serum sample was taken after 6 h. Samples were analysed using high‐performance liquid chromatography and pharmacokinetic analysis was performed.

RESULTS

ABZ was detectable in milk samples 6 h after the oral dose. The mean concentration of serum ABZ was 63.7 ± 11.9 ng ml−1. The pharmacokinetic parameters for ABSX were calculated as follows: 351.9 ± 32.4 ng ml−1, 6.9 ± 0.5 h, 12.4 ± 2.2 h and 5190.3 ± 482.8 ng*h ml−1forCmax,Tmax,t½and AUC0–36, respectively. The milk‐to‐serum ratios (range) for ABZ and ABSX were 0.9 (0.2–6.5) and 0.6 (0.1–1.5), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

After an oral dose of 400 mg, ABZ and ABSX attain low concentrations in breast milk that are unlikely to be considered harmful for the breastfed infant.
Fattening strategies of wintering great tits support the optimal body mass hypothesis under conditions of extremely low ambient temperature
Authors: Krams Indrikis , Cirule Dina , Suraka Valerija , Krama Tatjana , Rantala Markus J. , Ramey Gary
Published: August 2009

1. In a seasonal environment, subcutaneous energy reserves of resident animals often increase in winter and decline again in summer reflecting gradual seasonal changes in their fattening strategies. We studied changes in body reserves of wintering great tits in relation to their dominance status under two contrasting temperature regimes to see whether individuals are capable of optimizing their body mass even under extreme environmental conditions.

2. We predicted that dominant individuals will carry a lesser amount of body reserves than subordinate great tits under mild conditions and that the body reserves of the same dominant individuals will increase and exceed the amount of reserves of subordinates under conditions of extremely low ambient temperatures, when ambient temperature dropped down to −37 °C.

3. The results confirmed the predictions showing that dominant great tits responded to the rising risk of starvation under low temperatures by increasing their body reserves and this was done at the expense of their safety.

4. Removal experiments revealed that lower body reserves of subordinate flock members are due to the increased intraspecific competition for food under low ambient temperatures.

5. Our results also showed that fattening strategies of great tits may change much quicker than previously considered, reflecting an adaptive role of winter fattening which is sensitive to changes in ambient temperatures.
Does oxidative stress mediate the trade‐off between growth and self‐maintenance in structured families?
Authors: Hall Margaret E. , Blount Jonathan D. , Forbes Scott , Royle Nick J.
Published: August 2009

1. Life‐history theory predicts a trade‐off between growth and self‐maintenance. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Oxidative stress, the imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during normal metabolic processes and the level of antioxidant defences, is a potential mechanism.

2. In many altricial birds asynchronous hatching creates different castes of progeny as a hedge against developmental and environmental uncertainty (a ‘structured’ family). Older, ‘core’ offspring and later hatched ‘marginal’ offspring consequently experience contrasting levels of resource availability during development. To be adaptive the phenotypic handicap incurred by marginal offspring must be reversible when conditions allow.

3. Dietary‐derived antioxidants are an important component of antioxidant defences, which modulate oxidative damage arising from normal metabolic processes such as growth. Dietary antioxidants could therefore be important determinants of trade‐offs during growth, with the balance of these trade‐offs differing between core and marginal offspring.

4. To investigate this, we manipulated brood size and structure as well as antioxidant availability (by vitamin and mineral supplementation), then measured growth and oxidative damage in nestling red‐winged blackbirdsAgelaius phoeniceus.

5. We found that individuals supplemented with dietary antioxidants allocated these extra resources to increasing growth rate, rather than reducing oxidative damage. Irrespective of hatch rank, nestlings that received supplementary antioxidants grew faster than controls, despite no difference in their begging behaviour or parental provisioning rates. There was no overall difference in the level of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA) in the blood plasma of supplemented and control chicks, but among marginal offspring those that received an antioxidant supplement had lower plasma MDA. Antioxidant supplementation did not affect nestling survival to fledging age.

6. These novel results support the idea that oxidative stress may play a central role in the trade‐off between growth and self‐maintenance. Moreover, they further highlight the importance of physiological costs in the evolution of life‐histories and propose a role for oxidative stress in the adaptive basis of the structured family.
Effect of substitution of soy protein isolate on aroma volatiles, chemical composition and sensory quality of wheat cookies
Authors: Mohsen Sobhy M. , Fadel Hoda H. M. , Bekhit M. A. , Edris Amr E. , Ahmed Mohamad Y. S.
Published: August 2009

Wheat flour was substituted with soy protein isolate (SPI) at levels of 0–20% and its effect on aroma volatiles and quality of cookies was evaluated. The chemical analysis showed that the moisture and protein content increased gradually by increasing the added levels of SPI whereas the carbohydrate and fat levels showed the opposite trend. The sensory characteristics, aroma, taste, crispiness and overall acceptability showed significant (P < 0.05) increase of up to 10% SPI substitution compared with cookies free of SPI. The gas chromatographic‐mass spectrometric (GC‐MS) analysis of aroma volatiles revealed that the sample containing 10% SPI had the highest yield (13.57%) of pyranones, the key odourants of cookies. The results of GC‐MS analysis were consistent with those of the aroma sensory analysis of cookies during storage.
Effect of extraction systems and cultivar on the quality of virgin olive oils
Authors: Issaoui Manel , Dabbou Samia , Brahmi Faten , Hassine Kaouther Ben , Ellouze Myriem Hajaïj , Hammami Mohamed
Published: August 2009

This research was carried out to compare the effects of two industrial scale processes (super press and triple phase systems) and a traditional Tunisian family‐sized operation with laboratory milling for two varieties of olives: Chemlali and Chemchali. Analyses of the effect of the extraction system, on the oils’ characteristics, revealed statistically significant differences in some parameters, mainly in antioxidant compounds (P < 0.05). Major fatty acids presented significant differences (P < 0.05) with respect to the cultivar kind (55.93% vs. 72.21%). Oxidative stability of Chemchali was nearly two times higher than Chemlali (94.58 vs. 50.37 day kg−1). Results appear to confirm the general consensus that Chemchali oils are of much higher quality compared with the tolerable quality of Chemlali. The traditional method is a valid form of producing high quality oil with very high stability (48.87 and 109.07 day kg−1 for Chemlali and Chemchali oil, respectively). However, industrial mills showed that triple‐phase scale could cause considerable loss in polyphenols. Finally, olive oil quality is mainly dependant on the quality of the olives and on the extraction method.
An efficient method for the large scale isolation of naringin from pomelo (Citrus grandis) peel
Authors: Sudto Kanokorn , Pornpakakul Surachai , Wanichwecharungruang Supason
Published: August 2009

An efficient and simple method was developed to isolate high‐purity naringin, a bitter flavoured (to humans) flavanone glycoside with various pharmacological activities, from pomelo (Citrus grandisOsbeck) peel in high yield. The process, which involves a simple methanol extraction followed by crystallisation in water with the addition of 14–15% (v/v) dichloromethane, gave four times higher yield compared to the same method with no dichloromethane addition and five times higher yield compared to the conventional direct hot water extraction. Through this process, albedo peels from four pomelo cultivars, Khao Taeng‐gwa, Khao Yai, Khao Nam Pheung and Tong Dee, gave 24, 22, 20 and 16 mg of naringin g−1of peel dry weight, respectively. High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance analysis of the obtained naringin indicated >98% purity. Large scale isolation was also demonstrated.
Determination of phytic acid in cereals – a brief review
Authors: Wu Peng , Tian Ji‐Chun , Walker C. E. (Chuck) , Wang Feng‐Cheng
Published: August 2009

Phytic acid is the major storage form for phosphorus in the cereal grains. It exists in the form of mixed salts of Ca–Mg–K (i.e. phytate), and occurs in many locations within the kernel. This form of phosphorus is not available to monogastric animals, including humans, because they lack the enzyme phytase in their digestive tract. In order to permit a better understanding of the functions and heritability of phytic acid, a literature search was conducted to review the development of procedures for the determination of phytic acid. Starting from a basic method of precipitation as insoluble ferric phytate in acid solution, the techniques for the determination of phytic acid have progressed through many kinds of instrumental methods such as colorimetric, synchronous fluorescence, isotachophoresis, high‐performance ionic chromatography, and high‐performance liquid chromatography.
Thermal resistance of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris spores in different heating media
Authors: Ceviz Gulin , Tulek Yahya , Con Ahmet Hilmi
Published: August 2009

The aim of this work was to study the influence of temperature (85, 90, 95 and 100 °C), total soluble solids (SS: 10 and 20°Brix or % by weight of sucrose) and pH (3.5 and 4.0) on decimal reduction time (D‐value) of the Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris strain DSM2498 spores in apple juice, orange juice and malt extract broth (MEB). The effects of SS and pH on D‐values and z‐values in each media were insignificant (P > 0.05). In apple juice, orange juice and MEB, z‐values of A. acidoterrestris for pH 3.5 and pH 4.0 were 12.2 ± 1.3–14.2 ± 3.2 °C, 11.2 ± 0.3–9.4 ± 0.0 °C and 11.9 ± 0.8–10.3 ± 0.4 °C, respectively. z‐values of apple juice, orange juice and MEB samples with SS = 10°Brix and SS = 20°Brix were 14.1 ± 3.2–12.2 ± 1.3 °C, 10.2 ± 0.7–10.5 ± 1.1 °C and 11.3 ± 1.5–10.9 ± 0.2 °C, respectively. However, D‐values of all samples were affected by temperature significantly (P < 0.01). Average D‐values of apple juice, orange juice and MEB were 101.2 ± 14.7, 34.4 ± 7.9, 20.3 ± 4.9 and 4.3 ± 1.3 min for 85, 90, 95 and 100 °C. This study demonstrated that A. acidoterrestris spores exhibited high resistance to thermal processing applications. pH and SS of the media did not affect thermal resistance.
Determination of unprocessed genetically modified soybean in foods using simplex and duplex real‐time PCR with an internal standard
Authors: Harikai Naoki , Saito Shin , Tanaka Atsuko , Kinoshita Kenji
Published: August 2009

We developed a method using an internal standard to determine the amount of unprocessed genetically modified organisms (GMO) in foods as GMO weight per weight of total food (w/wtf) using real‐time PCR. Food samples were spiked with an internal standard, a ColE1 plasmid, and DNA was extracted from the samples using a silica membrane‐type kit and analysed using real‐time PCR. The relationship between the GMO amount and the copy number ratio of the transgene to ColE1 in 0.1–5% w/wtf GM soybean powders was found to have a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.97. GMO was quantified in food samples spiked with GM soybean (final amount 0.5% w/wtf GMO). The average GMO amount ranged from 0.35% to 0.63% w/wtf. The results show that our method should be useful for quantifying unprocessed GMO in foods. We also developed a duplex assay, which is simpler and more accurate than the simplex assay.
Flavour profiles of low‐fat comminuted sausages as affected by the addition of various sugars in combined with 0.1 m lysine
Authors: Park Sung Y. , Yoo Seung S. , Chin Koo B.
Published: August 2009

The study was performed to evaluate the flavour profiles of low‐fat comminuted sausage (LFS) as affected by the addition of various concentrations of glucose, fructose and sucrose combined with 0.1 m lysine. Among thirty‐five volatile compounds, the concentrations of furfural, 2‐furan methanol, 2‐methoxy phenol, 2‐methoxy‐4‐methyl phenol, myristicine and pentadecanal occupied approximately 60% of the total concentration of volatile compounds identified in full‐ and low‐fat smoked sausages. Phenols and hetero‐compounds derived mainly from the smoking process were the predominant chemical groups. Nine volatile compounds were affected by fat content and the reduction of fat predominantly increased the headspace concentration of myristicin and pentadecanal. The headspace concentration of total volatile compounds detected in LFS control was significantly higher than those of LFS treatments with the various sugars and lysine. The headspace concentration of most volatile compounds decreased with the addition of various sugars. The results indicate that the addition of glucose, fructose and sucrose at the concentrations higher than 0.05 m in combination with 0.1 m lysine delays the release of some flavour compounds in LFS.
Hot air drying of whole fruit Chinese jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Miller): thin‐layer mathematical modelling
Authors: Fang Shuzheng , Wang Zhengfu , Hu Xiaosong
Published: August 2009

Chinese jujube fruits were dried at 50, 60 and 70 °C in an electric heat blast dryer. Verma model was superior to the others for explaining change of moisture ratio in Chinese jujube by comparing thirteen commonly used mathematical models, suggested by the lowest percent error (1.211%). A strong linear dependence between drying rate and drying time was suggested by high values of determination coefficient (R2 > 0.97). Linear model (effective diffusivity model) was found to be excellent adequacy in describing relationship between effective diffusivity, Deff, and dry‐basis moisture content, M. The effects of drying air temperature on the coefficients of the model were determined by multiple regression method. Lower percent error (3.44%) proved that the effective diffusivity model has higher precision. Our study indicated that it is possible to describe moisture content, drying rate, effective diffusivity, with the models including the effect of drying air temperature on the model constants and coefficients.
Ultrasonic assisted alkali extraction of protein from defatted rice bran and properties of the protein concentrates
Authors: Chittapalo Thutiyaporn , Noomhorm Athapol
Published: August 2009

Alkaline extraction for the preparation of protein concentrate from rice bran was compared with a range of ultrasonic treatments. Results revealed that the extraction time decreased, and the reaction rate constant increased, with increasing ultrasonic power. The reaction rate constants were 0.0065, 0.0130, 0.0237 and 0.0924 at 40, 60, 80 and 100 W respectively. The defatted rice bran protein concentrate (DRBPC) using ultrasonication (100 W for 5 min) and conventional methods showed no significant difference in bulk densities (P > 0.05) but it had higher yield (%) and was lighter brown using ultrasonication (P ≤ 0.05). The SEM showed that the residual rice bran after extracting protein using ultrasonication exhibited more damage than the conventional method. The functional properties of both samples were not significantly different (P > 0.05) in terms of foam and emulsifying stability. However, the water and oil absorption, foam capacity and emulsion activity were significantly different (P ≤ 0.05). The nitrogen solubility index of both DRBPC samples gave similar profiles with the lowest solubility at pH 4–6.
Genetic structure and evolution of Alpine polyploid complexes: Ranunculus kuepferi (Ranunculaceae) as a case study
Authors: BURNIER J. , BUERKI S. , ARRIGO N. , KÜPFER P. , ALVAREZ N.
Published: August 2009

The alpine white‐flowered buttercup, Ranunculus kuepferi Greuter & Burdet, is a polyploid complex with diploids endemic to the southwestern Alps and polyploids – which have been previously described as apomictic – widespread throughout European mountains. Due to the polymorphic status of both its ploidy level and its reproductive mode, R. kuepferi represents a key species for understanding the evolution of polyploid lineages in alpine habitats. To disentangle the phylogeography of this polyploid taxon, we used cpDNA sequences and AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) markers in 33 populations of R. kuepferi representative of its ploidy level and distribution area. Polyploid individuals were shown to be the result of at least two polyploidization events that may have taken place in the southwestern Alps. From this region, one single main migration of tetraploids colonized the entire Alpine range, the Apennines and Corsica. Genetic recombination among tetraploids was also observed, revealing the facultative nature of the apomictic reproductive mode in R. kuepferi polyploids. Our study shows the contrasting role played by diploid lineages mostly restricted to persistent refugia and by tetraploids, whose dispersal abilities have permitted their range extension all over the previously glaciated Alpine area and throughout neighbouring mountain massifs.
Disentangling the effects of historic vs. contemporary landscape structure on population genetic divergence
Authors: ZELLMER A. J. , KNOWLES L. L.
Published: August 2009

Increasing habitat fragmentation poses an immediate threat to population viability, as gene flow patterns are changed in these altered landscapes. Patterns of genetic divergence can potentially reveal the impact of these shifts in landscape connectivity. However, divergence patterns not only carry the signature of altered contemporary landscapes, but also historical ones. When considered separately, both recent and historical landscape structure appear to significantly affect connectivity among 51 wood frog (Rana sylvatica) populations. However, by controlling for correlations among landscape structure from multiple time periods, we show that patterns of genetic divergence reflect recent landscape structure as opposed to landscape structure prior to European settlement of the region (before 1850s). At the same time, within‐population genetic diversities remain high and a genetic signature of population bottlenecks is lacking. Together, these results suggest that metapopulation processes – not drift‐induced divergence associated with strong demographic bottlenecks following habitat loss – underlie the strikingly rapid consequences of temporally shifting landscape structure on these amphibians. We discuss the implications of these results in the context of understanding the role of population demography in the adaptive variation observed in wood frog populations.
Can body mass index help predict outcome in patients with bipolar disorder?
Authors: Calkin Cynthia , Van De Velde Caroline , Růžičková Martina , Slaney Claire , Garnham Julie , Hajek Tomas , O’Donovan Claire , Alda Martin
Published: August 2009

Objective:  Several studies have reported higher prevalence of obesity in patients suffering from bipolar disorder (BD). To study the relation of elevated body mass index (BMI) in patients with BD more closely, we investigated differences in sociodemographic, clinical, and medical characteristics with respect to BMI, with the hypothesis that BMI is related to prognosis and outcome.

Methods:  We measured the BMI of 276 subjects of a tertiary care sample from the Maritime Bipolar Registry. Subjects were 16 to 83 years old, with psychiatric diagnoses of bipolar I disorder (n = 186), bipolar II disorder (n = 85), and BD not otherwise specified (n = 5). The registry included basic demographic data and details of the clinical presentation. We first examined the variables showing a significant association with BMI; subsequently, we modeled the relationship between BMI and psychiatric outcome using structural equation analysis.

Results:  The prevalence of obesity in our sample was 39.1%. We found higher BMI in subjects with a chronic course (p < 0.001) and longer duration of illness (p = 0.02), lower scores on the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (p = 0.02), and on disability (p = 0.002). Overweight patients had more frequent comorbid subthreshold social (p = 0.02) and generalized anxiety disorders (p = 0.05), diabetes mellitus type II (p < 0.001), and hypertension (p = 0.001). Subjects who achieved complete remission of symptoms on lithium showed significantly lower BMI (p = 0.01).

Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that BMI is associated with the prognosis and outcome of BD. Whether this association is causal remains to be determined.
Cognitive function and serum levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Dias Vasco Videira , Brissos Sofia , Frey Benicio N , Andreazza Ana Cristina , Cardoso Carlos , Kapczinski Flávio
Published: August 2009

Objectives:  Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important contributor to the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD), and abnormalities in the BDNF‐signaling system may be implicated in the cognitive decline observed in BD patients. We aimed to investigate serum BDNF levels in BD patients and its relation to neurocognitive function.

Methods:  We measured serum BDNF levels using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method in 65 euthymic type I BD patients and 50 healthy controls, and administered a neuropsychological test battery to assess attention and mental control, perceptual‐motor skills, executive functions, verbal fluency and abstraction, visuospatial attention, and memory.

Results:  We found no significant differences regarding serum BDNF levels in BD patients and healthy controls. We found significant positive associations between serum BDNF levels and illness duration, and manic and depressive episodes in female BD patients only. Serum BDNF levels were lower in patients medicated with antipsychotics and/or lithium, whereas patients on valproate and/or antidepressants showed higher serum BDNF levels. Patients performed significantly worse on 11 out of 16 neurocognitive tests as compared to controls. We found a significant positive association between serum BDNF levels and a test of verbal fluency in both BD patients and controls.

Conclusions:  Present results support the hypothesis that BDNF normalizes with mood stabilization and pharmacological treatment. Our findings in young and physically healthy patients with short illness duration and few mood episodes may explain the lack of association between serum BDNF levels and neurocognitive performance, even though cognitive performance in patients was overall significantly worse as compared to healthy controls.
Cardiovascular disease and hypertension among adults with bipolar I disorder in the United States
Authors: Goldstein Benjamin I , Fagiolini Andrea , Houck Patricia , Kupfer David J
Published: August 2009

Objective:  Despite ample evidence of excess cardiovascular mortality in bipolar disorder (BD), few studies have demonstrated increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and/or hypertension (HTN) in BD. We therefore examined this topic in a representative epidemiologic sample.

Method:  The 2001–2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions was used to determine whether prevalence of physician‐diagnosed CVD and HTN is elevated among subjects with lifetime bipolar I disorder (BD‐I), and whether CVD and HTN are prevalent at earlier ages among subjects with BD‐I.

Results:  The age‐, race‐, and sex‐adjusted prevalence of CVD was significantly greater among subjects with BD‐I versus controls [odds ratio (OR) = 4.95, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.27–5.75] and versus subjects with major depressive disorder [(MDD); OR =1.80, 95% CI: 1.52–2.14], as was the prevalence of HTN (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 2.16–2.62 versus controls, OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.30–1.61 versus MDD; p < 0.0001 for all). Controlling additionally for marital status, education, income, obesity, smoking, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders did not substantially alter these findings. The mean age of BD‐I subjects with CVD and HTN was 14 and 13 years younger, respectively, than controls with CVD and HTN.

Conclusions:  Adults with BD‐I are at increased risk of CVD and HTN, prevalent over a decade earlier than non‐BD adults. Strategies are needed to prevent excessive and premature cardiovascular burden in BD‐I.
Mood‐incongruent psychosis in bipolar disorder: conditional linkage analysis shows genome‐wide suggestive linkage at 1q32.3, 7p13 and 20q13.31
Authors: Hamshere Marian L , Schulze Thomas G , Schumacher Johannes , Corvin Aiden , Owen Michael J , Jamra Rami Abou , Propping Peter , Maier Wolfgang , Orozco y Diaz Guillermo , Mayoral Fermin , Rivas Fabio , Jones Ian , Jones Lisa , Kirov George , Gill Michael , Holmans Peter A , Nöthen Markus M , Cichon Sven , Rietschel Marcella , Craddock Nick
Published: August 2009

Objective:  The majority of research into functional psychosis has proceeded under the assumption that schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are distinct entities with separate underlying disease processes and treatments. This view has been increasingly challenged in both clinical and genetic studies. Findings in recent association studies at two specific genes suggest that the occurrence of mood‐incongruent psychotic features may indicate a relatively homogeneous subset of the bipolar phenotype. We examined this hypothesis.

Methods:  Caucasian affected individuals were ascertained from Europe (the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Germany, Italy and Andalusia). Consensus best‐estimate diagnoses were assigned by two independent raters according to all available information. There was no cross‐site evaluation of inter‐rater reliability. Families multiply affected by bipolar spectrum mood disorder were selected, comprising 383 affected relative pairs. Individuals were considered to be affected if they were diagnosed with DSM‐IV bipolar I disorder or schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. Multipoint, affected relative pair covariate linkage analysis was performed.

Results:  Significant familiality of incongruent psychosis was observed [intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.309; p = 0.001, one‐tail]. Covariate linkage analysis provided three regions with genome‐wide suggestive evidence for linkage on chromosomes 1q32.3 (LOD = 4.15, expected 0.12 times per genome scan), 7p13 (LOD = 3.32) and 20q13.31 (LOD = 2.98). No region in our analysis met criteria for genome‐wide significance.

Conclusion:  Our results provide molecular support for the hypothesis that genes may exist for specific forms of bipolar illness, dependent on the presence or absence of incongruent psychosis. Our findings suggest that researchers should take account of mood‐congruence/incongruence of psychotic features in studies of bipolar disorder.
Visual paired‐pulse stimulation reveals enhanced visual cortex excitability in migraineurs
Authors: Höffken Oliver , Stude Philipp , Lenz Melanie , Bach Michael , Dinse Hubert R. , Tegenthoff Martin
Published: August 2009

Migraine is a common ictal disorder with an interindividual heterogeneous characteristic, whose underlying mechanisms remain elusive. On the one hand migraine is associated with abnormal cortical hyperexcitability. On the other hand, studies reported lower amplitudes of visual‐evoked potentials (VEPs) and concluded that low preactivation levels imply decreased excitability. Here we measured visual cortex excitability and paired‐pulse suppression in subjects suffering from migraine without aura and in a group of aged‐ and gender‐matched healthy subjects to address the relation between activation levels and excitability. To that aim, we analysed amplitudes of VEPs and paired‐pulse suppression evoked by a paired‐pulse stimulation paradigm using stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs) between 80 and 133 ms. We found that in migraineurs in the interictal state the amplitudes of the first VEP were reduced as compared with healthy subjects by approximately 20%. In the case of paired‐pulse suppression comparable to healthy controls, the second response amplitude should be reduced as well, which was not the case. Instead, the ratio between the first and second VEP was higher than in healthy controls and did not depend on SOA in the range tested, which demonstrates reduced paired‐pulse suppression and therefore implicates increased cortical excitability. Our data show that in migraineurs VEPs were reduced presumably due to reduced activation levels. However, paired‐pulse suppression using short SOAs in the range of 100 ms or less was even higher than in normal subjects. Thus, our data show that signatures of both hyper‐ and hypoexcitability can be found depending on stimulation condition.
Pornography, Pragmatism, and Proscription
Authors: McGlynn Clare , Ward Ian
Published: August 2009

The Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 criminalizes the possession of extreme pornography, namely, images of bestiality, necrophilia, and life‐threatening or serious violence, and is the immediate context for this article which seeks to present a pragmatic liberal humanist critique of pornography regulation. Such a critique, derived in particular from the writings of Nussbaum and Rorty, presents an alternative case for regulation, eschewing the visceral competing fundamentalisms which characterized the ‘porn wars’ of the 1980s and 1990s. Whilst moral and epistemological philosophers squabble with radical feminists and radical libertarians, extreme pornography can nurture real injustice and ruin real lives. A pragmatic liberal humanism demands a pragmatic response to extreme pornography. The first part of this article will revisit the longer history of the ‘porn wars’; the second describes the parameters of a pragmatic liberal humanist critique; the third examines the shorter history of pornography regulation written into the provisions now enacted in the 2008 Act.
The Dangers of Hanging Baskets: ‘Regulatory Myths’ and Media Representations of Health and Safety Regulation
Authors: Almond Paul
Published: August 2009

The successful enforcement of health and safety regulation is reliant upon the ability of regulatory agencies to demonstrate the legitimacy of the system of regulatory controls. While ‘big cases’ are central to this process, there are also significant legitimatory implications associated with ‘minor’ cases, including media‐reported tales of pettiness and heavy‐handedness in the interpretation and enforcement of the law. The popular media regularly report stories of ‘regulatory unreasonableness’, and they can pass quickly into mainstream public knowledge. A story's appeal becomes more important than its factual veracity; they are a form of ‘regulatory myth’. This paper discusses the implications of regulatory myths for health and safety regulators, and analyses their challenges for regulators, paying particular attention to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which has made concerted efforts to address regulatory myths attaching to its activities. It will be shown that such stories constitute sustained normative challenges to the legitimacy of the regulator, and political challenges to the burgeoning regulatory state, because they reflect some of the key concerns of late‐modern society.
Diversity in the Judiciary: The Case For Positive Action
Authors: Malleson Kate
Published: August 2009

A range of policies has been developed in England and Wales to reform the judicial appointments process so as to promote greater diversity. But despite two decades of official activity, the pace of change has been far slower than anticipated. Increasing awareness of the intransigence of the problem has led to a greater willingness to revisit some of the more fundamental tenets which have underpinned the approach to the problem to date, in particular, the unquestioning and inflexible commitment to the principle of equal treatment. This article examines the different forms of positive action which might play a part in the development of new diversity strategies for the judiciary. It reviews the arguments for and against different types, in terms of effectiveness, quality of appointments, and equity. It goes on to consider the legal frameworks which govern diversity and equality policies and assesses the legal implications of adopting different forms of positive action.