bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leg-length discrepancy after transtrochanteric curved varus osteotomy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Authors: Ikemura S. , Yamamoto T. , Jingushi S. , Nakashima Y. , Mawatari T. , Iwamoto Y.
Published: July 2007

Transtrochanteric curved varus osteotomy was designed to avoid some of the disadvantages of varus wedge osteotomy, such as post-operative leg-length discrepancy. In this retrospective study we investigated the leg-length discrepancy and clinical outcome after transtrochanteric curved varus osteotomy undertaken in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Between January 1993 and March 2004, this osteotomy was performed in 42 hips of 36 patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head. There were 15 males and 21 females with a mean age at surgery of 34 years (15 to 68). The mean follow-up was 5.9 years (2.0 to 12.5). The mean pre-operative Harris hip score was 64.0 (43 to 85) points, which improved to a mean of 88.7 (58 to 100) points at final follow-up. The mean varus angulation post-operatively was 25° (12° to 38°) and the post-operative mean leg-length discrepancy was 13 mm (4 to 25). The post-operative leg-length discrepancy showed a strong correlation with varus angulation (Pearson’s correlation coefficient; r = 0.9530, p < 0.0001), which may be useful for predicting the leg-length discrepancy which can occur even after transtrochanteric curved varus osteotomy.
Morphological analysis of the femoral trochlea in patients with recurrent dislocation of the patella using three-dimensional computer models
Authors: Yamada Y. , Toritsuka Y. , Yoshikawa H. , Sugamoto K. , Horibe S. , Shino K.
Published: July 2007

We investigated the three-dimensional morphological differences of the articular surface of the femoral trochlea in patients with recurrent dislocation of the patella and a normal control group using three-dimensional computer models.

There were 12 patients (12 knees) and ten control subjects (ten knees). Three-dimensional computer models of the femur, including the articular cartilage, were created. Evaluation was performed on the shape of the articular surface, focused on its convexity, and the proximal and mediolateral distribution of the articular cartilage of the femoral trochlea. The extent of any convexity, and the proximal distribution of the articular cartilage, expressed as the height, were shown by the angles about the transepicondylar axis. The mediolateral distribution of the articular cartilage was assessed by the location of the medial and lateral borders of the articular cartilage.

The mean extent of convexity was 24.9° sd 6.7° for patients and 11.9° sd 3.6° for the control group (p < 0.001). The mean height of the articular cartilage was 91.3° sd 8.3° for the patients and 83.3° sd 7.7° for the control group (p = 0.03), suggesting a wider convex trochlea in the patients with recurrent dislocation of the patella caused by the proximally-extended convex area. The lateral border of the articular cartilage of the trochlea in the patients was more laterally located than in the control group.

Our findings therefore quantitatively demonstrated differences in the shape and distribution of the articular cartilage on the femoral trochlea between patients with dislocation of the patella and normal subjects.
Tuberculosis of the sternum
Authors: Khan S. A. , Varshney M. K. , Hasan A. S. , Kumar A. , Trikha V.
Published: July 2007

A series of 14 patients suffering from tuberculosis of the sternum with a mean follow-up of 2.8 years (2 to 3.6) is presented. All were treated with antitubercular therapy: ten with primary therapy, two needed second-line therapy, and two required surgery (debridement). All showed complete healing and no evidence of recurrence at the last follow-up. MRI was useful in making the diagnosis at an early stage because atypical presentations resulting from HIV have become more common. Early adequate treatment with multidrug antitubercular therapy avoided the need for surgery in 12 of our 14 patients.
Sherlock Holmes – an expert's view of expertise
Authors: André Didierjean , Fernand Gobet
Published: July 2007

In recent years, there has been an intense research effort to understand the cognitive processes and structures underlying expert behaviour. Work in different fields, including scientific domains, sports, games and mnemonics, has shown that there are vast differences in perceptual abilities between experts and novices, and that these differences may underpin other cognitive differences in learning, memory and problem solving. In this article, we evaluate the progress made in the last years through the eyes of an outstanding, albeit fictional, expert: Sherlock Holmes. We first use the Sherlock Holmes character to illustrate expert processes as described by current research and theories. In particular, the role of perception, as well as the nature and influence of expert knowledge, are all present in the description of Conan Doyle's hero. In the second part of the article, we discuss a number of issues that current research on expertise has barely addressed. These gaps include, for example, several forms of reasoning, the influence of emotions on cognition, and the effect of age on experts' knowledge and cognitive processes. Thus, although nearly 120‐year‐old, Conan Doyle's books show remarkable illustrations of expert behaviour, including the coverage of themes that have mostly been overlooked by current research.
Spatial ecology and diet of the dholeCuon alpinus(Canidae, Carnivora) in north central Thailand
Authors: Grassman Lon I. , Tewes Michael E. , Silvy Nova J. , Kreetiyutanont Kitti
Published: July 2007

Two adult male dholesCuon alpinusbelonging to 2 different packs were radio collared and tracked between March 2000 and October 2002 in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand. Dholes occupied cumulative ranges (95% minimum convex polygon) of 12.0 km2(n= 39) and 49.5 km2(n= 62), traveled an average of 2,214 m each day (n= 27, ± 2,422 m, range 25-9,469), and were primarily active during diurnal and crepuscular periods (n= 927 activity readings, 46% active). Dhole diet using scat analysis (n= 172) and identification of carcasses (n= 14) consisted only of ungulates. Dhole range primarily included forested habitat, although some individuals also were observed hunting in grasslands.
Camera-trap study of ocelot and other secretive mammals in the northern Pantanal
Authors: Trolle Mogens , Kéry Marc
Published: July 2007

Reliable information on abundance of the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is scarce. We conducted the first camera-trap study in the northern part of the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil, one of the wildlife hotspots of South America. Using capture-recapture analysis, we estimated a density of 0.112 independent individuals per km2(SE 0.069). We list other mammals recorded with camera traps and show that camera-trap placement on roads or on trails has striking effects on camera-trapping rates.
Control of cyclic AMP concentration in bovine endometrial stromal cells by arachidonic acid
Authors: Cheng Z , Sheldrick E L , Marshall E , Wathes D C , Abayasekara D R E , Flint A P F
Published: July 2007

Second messenger signalling through cyclic AMP (cAMP) plays an important role in the response of the endometrium to prostaglandin (PG) E2 during early pregnancy. Arachidonic acid, which is a by-product of the luteolytic cascade in ruminants, is a potential paracrine signal from the epithelium to the stroma. We investigated the effects of arachidonic acid on the response of the stroma to PGE2. cAMP was measured in bovine endometrial stromal cells treated with agents known to activate or inhibit adenylyl cyclase, protein kinase C (PKC) or phosphodiesterase (PDE). PGE2 increased the intracellular cAMP concentration within 10 min, and this effect was attenuated by arachidonic acid and the PKC activator, 4β-phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The inhibitory effect of arachidonic acid on PGE2-induced cAMP accumulation was prevented by the PKC inhibitor, RO318425, and was absent in cells in which PKC had been downregulated by exposure to PMA for 24 h. The effect of arachidonic acid was also prevented by the PDE inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. Arachidonic acid was shown by immunoblotting to prevent induction of cyclooxygenase-2 by PGE2, forskolin or dibutyryl cAMP. The results indicate that arachidonic acid activates PDE through a mechanism involving PKC, counteracting a rise in intracellular cAMP in response to PGE2. The data suggest that arachidonic acid antagonizes PGE2 signalling through cAMP in the bovine endometrium, possibly acting to ensure a rapid return to oestrus in the case of failure of the maternal recognition of pregnancy.
11-Ketotestosterone and IGF-I increase the size of previtellogenic oocytes from shortfinned eel, Anguilla australis, in vitro
Authors: Lokman P Mark , George Kataraina A N , Divers Sean L , Algie Michael , Young Graham
Published: July 2007

Previtellogenic ovarian fragments from eel, Anguilla australis, were cultured in vitro in a chemically defined medium containing steroids and/or peptide hormones for 18 days in order to investigate their involvement in control of early oocyte growth. 11-Ketotestosterone (11-KT), but not estradiol-17β, induced a significant 10–20% increase in diameters of previtellogenic oocytes and oocyte nuclei in a dose-dependent manner. Effects were greatest for 100 nM 11-KT, a dose that is within the physiological range seen in very early vitellogenic eels in the wild. The effect was not accompanied by obvious ultrastructural changes in the oocytes other than an apparent increase in nuclear size. Similarly, treatment with recombinant human IGF-I resulted in increased oocyte diameters, whereas no such effect was seen after treatment with heterologous insulin, GH, leptin, or human chorionic gonadotropin. Interestingly, lipid supplementation also resulted in an increase in oocyte diameter, and greater radioactivity in ovarian explants following incubation with 14C-triglycerides and 11-KT, but not FSH, suggesting that the androgen may play a role in lipid accumulation into the oocyte. Our results implicate hormones from both the reproductive and the metabolic axes in control of previtellogenic oocyte growth in a teleost fish.
Regulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor activity in porcine cumulus–oocyte complexes in physiological and toxicological conditions: the role of follicular fluid
Authors: Nestler Daniela , Risch Michaela , Fischer Bernd , Pocar Paola
Published: July 2007

The arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR) mediates the adverse effects of dioxin-like compounds. However, it has also been reported that the AhR may exert a role in ovarian physiology. In the present study, porcine cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in vitro in the presence of 10% follicular fluid. Expression of AhR and its partner, AhR nuclear translocator occurs in immature COCs. After in vitro maturation (IVM), an up-regulation of AhR and cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1; the main AhR-target gene) was observed. To explore the role of the AhR during IVM, we exposed the COCs to 50 μM β-napthoflavone (βNF). The treatment induced a marked up-regulation of CYP1A1 mRNA, indicating both constitutive and inducible AhR activity. However, in contrast to what was observed in other cell types, no sign of toxicity was observed in COCs. To investigate if components of porcine follicular fluid may exert a protective role against AhR ligands, we exposed porcine COCs to βNF, in the absence of follicular fluid. In these conditions, a marked decrease in the percentage of matured oocytes, concomitant with an increase in oocyte degeneration, was observed. Furthermore, βNF increased apoptosis in cumulus cells in the absence of follicular fluid, whereas βNF has no effects when COCs were treated in the presence of porcine follicular fluid (pFF). In conclusion, these results suggest the presence of unknown endogenous AhR-ligand(s) during porcine IVM and that a dysregulation of this mechanism may result in ovotoxicity by inducing apoptosis in cumulus cells. However, this phenomenon is interrupted by the presence of follicular fluid, indicating a putative protective role for follicular fluid components against exogenous insults.
Dielectrophoretic behavior of in vitro-derived bovine metaphase II oocytes and zygotes and its relation to in vitro embryonic developmental competence and mRNA expression pattern
Authors: Dessie Salilew-Wondim , Rings Franca , Hölker Michael , Gilles Markus , Jennen Danyel , Tholen Ernst , Havlicek Vitezslav , Besenfelder Urban , Sukhorukov Vladimir L , Zimmermann Ulrich , Endter Joerg M , Sirard Marc-André , Schellander Karl , Tesfaye Dawit
Published: July 2007

Selecting developmentally competent oocytes and zygotes based on their morphology is more often influenced by personal judgments and lacks universal standards. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to investigate the rate of development and mRNA level of dielectrophoretically separated oocytes and zygotes to validate dielectrophoresis (DEP) as non-invasive option for selection of oocytes and zygotes. In the first experiment, metaphase II oocytes with (PB+) and without (PB−) first polar body and zygotes were subjected to DEP at 4 MHz and 450 μm electrode distance and classified into fast, very fast, slow, and very slow depending on the time elapsed to reach one of the electrodes in the electric field. Parthenogenetic activation was employed to monitor the embryonic development of dielectrophoretically classified oocytes. The result revealed that at 6 and 7 days of post-activation, the blastocyst rate of very slow dielectrophoretic PB+ and PB− oocytes was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than other groups. Similarly, in zygotes, the blastocyst rate at 7 days post-insemination was higher (P < 0.05) in the very fast dielectrophoretic categories when compared with the slow and very slow categories. In the second experiment, mRNA level was analyzed in the very fast and very slow dielectrophoretic PB+ oocytes and zygotes respectively using the bovine cDNA microarray. The result showed that 36 and 42 transcripts were differentially regulated between the very fast and very slow dielectrophoretic categories PB+ oocytes and zygotes respectively. In conclusion, dielectrophoretically separated oocytes and zygotes showed difference in the rate of blastocyst development accompanied by difference in transcriptional abundances.
Diffuse pollution abatement – a key component in the integrated effort towards sustainable urban basins
Authors: Novotny V. , Hill K.
Published: July 2007

Water bodies are highly stressed by overdrafts of water for many purposes upstream and in the cities, and effluent domination and excessive point and diffuse pollution downstream. Pollution is also caused by the urban landscape which prefers impervious rather than porous surfaces; fast-conveyance infrastructure rather than “softer” approaches like ponds and vegetation; and stream channelization instead of natural stream courses, buffers and floodplains, and development in the floodplains. In future, the comprehensive and complex problems of urban pollution must be solved within the framework of the total hydrological cycle concept. This provides a new impetus to diffuse pollution management in urban areas. The best management practices that have been developed in the past could become key components of the new urban total hydrological cycle paradigm for solving the water shortage and pollution problems in an integrated manner, and making the urban systems hydrologically and ecologically sustainable. The paradigm will include landscape changes (less imperviousness, more green space used as buffers and groundwater recharge) as well application of the best management practices that provide water conservation, storage and reuse.
Estimation and comparison of nitrogen loads and attenuation in agricultural catchments of Japan and Korea
Authors: Itahashi S. , Seo M.-C. , Takeuchi M.
Published: July 2007

To help in clarifying the relationship between the time lag and attenuation of nitrogen (N) loads generated in agricultural catchments, long-term trends in activities that generate N loads and in environmental N loads were estimated in catchments in Japan and Korea dominated by non-point-source emissions. Our approach used statistical data and geographical information system software to analyze pollutant loads. The method was successful in both countries because of the availability of well-developed statistics, geographical information, and weather and water quality monitoring systems, and the accumulation of research data concerning the generation of N loads and the fate of N in soils. Comparison of environmental loads with the loads observed in river water at the outlet of each catchment revealed that: (1) the effect of changes in the environmental load in a catchment appeared almost immediately in the river water quality in Korea, but did not appear clearly even 10 years later in Japan; and (2) the strength of the attenuation appeared to be much lower in Korea than in Japan. These findings suggest that regional characteristics play important roles in the sensitivity of water quality to load-generating activities.
Winery effluent treatment at an anaerobic hybrid USBF pilot plant under normal and abnormal operation
Authors: Molina F. , Ruiz-Filippi G. , García C. , Roca E. , Lema J.M.
Published: July 2007

A 1.1 m3 hybrid USBF fully instrumented pilot plant has been used for the treatment of diluted wine for four years. In this work, the performance of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) during start up and operation (normal operation and overload experiments) is shown. A complete description of the treatment process behaviour (gas and liquid phase composition and anaerobic sludge characteristics) is given by on-line and off-line monitoring of 28 process variables.

The results presented here demonstrate the reliability of this technology for the treatment of wastewater from seasonal processes, such as winery wastewaters, during a long period of time (four years). Furthermore, the USBF reactor presented very short start up periods after short and long shut down of the WWTP and rapidly turned back to normal operation after suffering a complete destabilization due to organic overload.

Both effluent and biogas were of good quality. Dissolved organic carbon concentration in the effluent was always lower than 100 mg DOC l−1 under normal operation, while methane concentration in the biogas was in the range 70–74%, making it suitable for energy recovering.
Treatment of winery wastewaters in a membrane submerged bioreactor
Authors: Artiga P. , Carballa M. , Garrido J.M. , Méndez R.
Published: July 2007

Wine production is seasonal, and thus the wastewater flow and its chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations greatly vary during the vintage and non-vintage periods, as well as being dependant on the winemaking technologies used, e.g. red, white or special wines production. Due to this seasonal high variability in terms of organic matter load, the use of membrane biological reactors (MBR) could be suitable for the treatment of such wastewaters. MBR offers several benefits, such as rapid start up, good effluent quality, low footprint area, absence of voluminous secondary settler and its operation is not affected by the settling properties of the sludge. A pilot scale hollow fibre MBR system of 220 L was fed by adequately diluting white wine with tap water, simulating wastewaters generated in wineries. The COD in the influent ranged between 1,000 and 4,000 mg/L. In less than 10 days after the start up, the system showed a good COD removal efficiency. The COD elimination percentage was always higher than 97% regardless of the organic loading rate (OLR) applied (0.5–2.2 kg COD/m3 d), with COD concentrations in the effluent ranging between 20 and 100 mg/L. Although the biomass concentration in the reactor increased from 0.5 to 8.6 g VSS/L, the suspended solids concentration in the effluent was negligible. Apparent biomass yield was estimated in 0.14 g VSS/g COD.
Re-use of winery wastewaters for biological nutrient removal
Authors: Rodríguez L. , Villaseñor J. , Buendía I.M. , Fernández F.J.
Published: July 2007

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the re-use of the winery wastewater to enhance the biological nutrient removal (BNR) process. In batch experiments it was observed that the addition of winery wastewater mainly enhanced the nitrogen removal process because of the high denitrification potential (DNP), of about 130 mg N/g COD, of the contained substrates. This value is very similar to that obtained by using pure organic substrates such as acetate. The addition of winery wastewater did not significantly affect either phosphorus or COD removal processes. Based on the experimental results obtained, the optimum dosage to remove each mg of N–NO3 was determined, being a value of 6.7 mg COD/mg N–NO3. Because of the good properties of the winery wastewater to enhance the nitrogen removal, the viability of its continuous addition in an activated sludge pilot-scale plant for BNR was studied. Dosing the winery wastewater to the pilot plant a significant increase in the nitrogen removal was detected, from 58 to 75%. The COD removal was slightly increased, from 89 to 95%, and the phosphorus removal remained constant.
Evaluation of rapid methods for in-situ characterization of organic contaminant load and biodegradation rates in winery wastewater
Authors: Carvallo M.J. , Vargas I. , Vega A. , Pizarr G. , Pastén P.
Published: July 2007

Rapid methods for the in-situ evaluation of the organic load have recently been developed and successfully implemented in municipal wastewater treatment systems. Their direct application to winery wastewater treatment is questionable due to substantial differences between municipal and winery wastewater. We critically evaluate the use of UV-VIS spectrometry, buffer capacity testing (BCT), and respirometry as rapid methods to determine organic load and biodegradation rates of winery wastewater. We tested three types of samples: actual and treated winery wastewater, synthetic winery wastewater, and samples from a biological batch reactor. Not surprisingly, respirometry gave a good estimation of biodegradation rates for substrate of different complexities, whereas UV-VIS and BCT did not provide a quantitative measure of the easily degradable sugars and ethanol, typically the main components of the COD in the influent. However, our results strongly suggest that UV-VIS and BCT can be used to identify and estimate the concentration of complex substrates in the influent and soluble microbial products (SMP) in biological reactors and their effluent. Furthermore, the integration of UV-VIS spectrometry, BCT, and mathematical modeling was able to differentiate between the two components of SMPs: substrate utilization associated products (UAP) and biomass associated products (BAP). Since the effluent COD in biologically treated wastewaters is composed primarily by SMPs, the quantitative information given by these techniques may be used for plant control and optimization.
Towards a benchmarking model for winery wastewater treatment and disposal
Authors: Aybar M. , Carvallo M. , Fabacher F. , Pizarr G. , Pastén P.
Published: July 2007

We propose a benchmarking model for winery wastewater treatment systems and use it to quantitatively compare the performance of Chilean wine-making operations. The benchmarking model integrates three components: the influent characteristics, the wastewater treatment alternatives, and the location constraints. Four performance levels may be defined when plotting the available data of the wine production versus the ratio of wastewater to wine, for the French, US, and Chilean industries. Knowing where a certain system lies in this diagram helps to quantify the gap between the current and a target performance, and to set performance goals for planned expansions. The analysis of construction and operating costs of treatment systems currently in operation in Chile shows that similar compliance levels can be achieved at remarkably different costs. A steep decrease in the unitary cost is observed as wastewater flow increases; yet, the treatment alternative for achieving that cost may change. Further selection is obtained when location constraints are considered, including stringent discharge standards and proximity to urban settlements. The application of this simple benchmark model to three Chilean winery facilities shows how it produces meaningful quantitative and qualitative results. However, there is still ample room to improve this benchmarking model by considering additional complexity, including technical detail in the treatment options and costs related to technology conversion.
Determination of the Optimum Operating Conditions for Direct Synthesis of Dimethyl Ether from Syngas
Authors: Moradi Gholam Reza , Ghanei Rohollah , Yaripour Fereydoon
Published: July 2007

The optimum operating conditions of a single  step synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from synthesis gas has been determined. The bifunctional catalyst has been prepared by physically mixing of a commercial methanol catalyst (KMT Co.) and a dehydration catalyst (H-MF-90) which has been characterized by XRD, XRF and BET techniques. Catalytic synthesis of dimethyl ether from synthesis gas was evaluated in agitated slurry micro reactor in different ranges of operating conditions which were determined by experimental design according to Taguchi algorithm. The range of operating conditions were chosen as follows: H2/CO mole ratio in feed varying from 0.26 to 1.5, the pressure varying from 10 to 50 bar, the temperature varying from 200 to 240 ºC and weight ratio of methanol catalyst to dehydration catalyst from 0.67 to 4. The experiments have been conducted for different operating conditions at fixed impeller speed equal to 1600rpm and space velocity equal to 500 ml/gcat.h. Considering the results of experiments, optimum conditions for direct synthesis of DME were predicted as follows: T=240 ºC, P=33.3 Bar, H2/CO=1.5 and weight ratio of methanol catalyst to dehydration catalyst equal to 3.
Inference on the Limiting False Discovery Rate and the P-value Threshold Parameter Assuming Weak Dependence between Gene Expression Levels within Subject
Authors: Heller Glenn , Qin Jing
Published: July 2007

An objective of microarray data analysis is to identify gene expressions that are associated with a disease related outcome. For each gene, a test statistic is computed to determine if an association exists, and this statistic generates a marginal p-value. In an effort to pool this information across genes, a p-value density function is derived. The p-value density is modeled as a mixture of a uniform (0,1) density and a scaled ratio of normal densities derived from the asymptotic normality of the test statistic. The p-values are assumed to be weakly dependent and a quasi-likelihood is used to estimate the parameters in the mixture density. The quasi-likelihood and the weak dependence assumption enables estimation and asymptotic inference on the false discovery rate for a given rejection region, and its inverse, the p-value threshold parameter for a fixed false discovery rate. A false discovery rate analysis on a localized prostate cancer data set is used to illustrate the methodology. Simulations are performed to assess the performance of this methodology.
DSP Based Implementation of Hybrid Fuzzy PI Speed Controller for Direct Torque Controlled Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drive
Authors: Singh Bhim , Singh B. P. , Dwivedi Sanjeet
Published: July 2007

This paper presents a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) based implementation of Hybrid of Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) and Proportional-Integral (PI) speed controller for Direct Torque Controlled (DTC) Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) drive. The fuzzy membership function is used for hybrid control of these two FLC and PI speed controllers in such a way that at the time of dynamic conditions such as starting, the degree of belonging for FLC speed controller is higher than the PI speed controller and near set point the degree of belonging of PI controller is having higher weightage. The simulation model of the drive system is developed in MATLAB environment with simulink, PSB and FLC toolboxes to analyze the performance of the PMSM drive system. This hybrid speed controller is found suitable for DTC based PMSM drive to maintain the high level of performance while maintaining the excellent response at the time of starting, speed reversal, load perturbation and steady-state operating condition of the drive.
Multiple Tortfeasors: An Economic Analysis
Authors: Young Robert , Faure Michael , Fenn Paul
Published: July 2007

This paper provides a coherent framework for classifying cases with multiple tortfeasors in relation to the efficient allocation of liability across the tortfeasors. We construct a simple model in which various tortfeasors contribute to a loss, and consider efficient liability rules under various assumptions.
Production of Bambara Groundnut (Voandzeia subterranean) Flour for Use in the Preparation of Koki (a Steamed Cooked Paste): Effect of pH and Salt Concentration on the Physicochemical Properties of Flour
Authors: Kaptso Giscard K. , Njintang Nicolas Y. , Hounhouigan Joseph D. , Scher Joel , Mbofung Carl M.F.
Published: July 2007

The present study is part of a project aimed at producing bambara groundnut (Voandzeia subterranean) flours for the preparation of koki (a steamed cooked paste). The flours were produced from the black (BBG) and white (WBG) varieties by the combined processes of soaking, drying, dehulling and milling. Some physicochemical characteristics of the flours were evaluated and the effects of flour particle size, salt concentration and pH on their functional properties were investigated. Significant varietal influence was indicated on the proteins and carbohydrates with the WBG variety showing high level of proteins (19.7%) and the BBP variety the highest carbohydrate content (61.7%). It was equally observed that an increase in NaCl tends to induce a reduction in the water absorption capacity (WAC), foam capacity and emulsion properties. The emulsion and foam capacities were observed to be at their minimum values within the pH range 2 and 4.
Optimization of an Enzyme Assisted Process for Juice Extraction and Clarification from Litchis (Litchi Chinensis Sonn.)
Authors: Shah Narendra Singh , Nath Nirankar
Published: July 2007

Litchi pulp was treated with various concentration levels of hydrolytic enzymes viz. pectinase (0-0.133%w/w), cellulase (0-0.266%w/w) and hemicellulase (0-0.20%w/w) for different durations (30-150 min) at 45°C. The effect of enzyme treatment conditions was studied on yield, clarity, apparent viscosity and total soluble solids (TSS) of juice obtained from the pulp. The optimum process conditions were determined by employing a second order central composite rotatable design in combination with response surface methodology. Yield, clarity and TSS of juice were found to increase and apparent viscosity was found to decrease significantly by enzymatic treatment. The optimum conditions for enzymatic treatment of pulp obtained after a 2 sided desirability function with the responses juice yield, clarity and TSS to be maximized and viscosity to be minimized were 0.076% (w/w) pectinase, 0.138% (w/w) cellulase, 0.107% (w/w) hemicellulase and incubation time of 106.5 min. The predicted values for juice yield, clarity, viscosity and TSS under optimized conditions were 77.19%, 93.53%, 1.359mPa s and 19.68°brix which showed a good agreement with the experimental values under same set of conditions.
Real Output in Mental Health Care during the 1990s
Authors: Berndt Ernst R. , Busch Alisa B. , Frank Richard G. , Normand Sharon-Lise
Published: July 2007

Health accounts document changes over time in the level and composition of health spending. There has been a continued evolution in the ability to track such outlays. Less rapid has been the ability to interpret changes in spending. In this paper we apply quality adjusted price indexes for several major mental disorders to national mental health expenditure account estimates to assess changes in real "output". We show that using the new price indexes reveals large gains in real output relative to the application of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' indexes.
Fat Taxes: Big Money for Small Change
Authors: Chouinard Hayley H , Davis David E , LaFrance Jeffrey T , Perloff Jeffrey M
Published: July 2007

In an attempt to improve the nation's health, many U.S. policy makers have or are considering imposing taxes on the fat in food. Dairy products constitute a large portion of at home fat consumption of particularly harmful types of fat, and nearly all U.S. households consume these products. We estimate a demand system for dairy products, which we use to simulate substitution effects among dairy products and the welfare impacts of fat taxes on various consumer groups. We find that even a 10 percent ad valorem tax on the percentage of fat would reduce fat consumption by less than a percentage point. Given that the demand for most dairy products is inelastic, a fat tax is an effective means to raise revenue. However, these fat taxes are unattractive because they are extremely regressive, and the elderly and poor suffer much greater welfare losses from the taxes than do younger and richer consumers.
Mathematical Analysis of a Novel Formaldehyde Remediation Process
Authors: Loney Norman W
Published: July 2007

The NASA low-temperature oxidation catalyst (Pt/SnO2), originally developed for space-based carbon dioxide laser applications has been recently adapted to address formaldehyde destruction in industrial smoke stack emission streams. A mathematical model is developed that can be used to correlate the observable chemistry occurring on the surfaces of a monolith with the volumetric flow rate of the gas and cross sectional area of catalyst surfaces as well as quantifying process design variables such as pressure or temperature of an exhaust gas stream.
Mathematical Modelling of the Self-Heating Process in Compost Piles
Authors: Sidhu Harvinder S , Nelson Mark I , Luangwilai Thiansiri , Chen Xiao Dong
Published: July 2007

We model the increase in temperature in compost piles or landfill sites due to micro-organisms undergoing exothermic reactions. The model incorporates the heat release due to biological activity within the pile and the heat release due to the oxidation of cellulosic materials. The heat release rate due to biological activity is modelled by a function which is a monotonic increasing function of temperature over a particular range and followed by a monotone decreasing function of temperature. This functionality represents the fact that micro-organisms die or become dormant at high temperatures. The heat release due to the oxidation reaction is modelled by the usual manner using Arrhenius kinetics. The bifurcation behaviour is investigated for two-dimensional slab geometries to determine the critical sizes of the compost piles.
Vaccination Externalities
Authors: Boulier Bryan L. , Datta Tejwant S. , Goldfarb Robert S
Published: July 2007

Vaccination provides indirect benefits to the unvaccinated. Despite its important policy implications, there is little analytical or empirical work to quantify this externality, nor is it incorporated in a number of cost-benefit studies of vaccine programs. We use a standard epidemiological model to analyze how the magnitude of this externality varies with the number of vaccinations, vaccine efficacy, and disease infectiousness. We also provide empirical estimates using parameters for influenza and mumps epidemics. The pattern of the externality is complex and striking, unlike that suggested in standard treatments. The size of the externality is not necessarily monotonic in the number vaccinated, vaccine efficacy, nor disease infectiousness. Moreover, its magnitude can be remarkably large. In particular, the marginal externality of a vaccination can be greater than one case of illness prevented among the nonvaccinated, so its omission from policy analyses implies serious biases.
Taxes versus Permits in a Two-Stage Duopoly
Authors: Vetter Henrik
Published: July 2007

In a two-stage Cournot oligopoly cost minimization sometimes calls for ex ante identical firms to invest in diverse technologies. It is an implication of this result that it might be optimal to treat identical duopolistic polluters asymmetrically. We discuss the efficiency properties of a per-unit tax and a tradable permit when ex ante identical duopolists should ideally invest asymmetrically. It is argued that a tradable permit is efficient in promoting differential investments.
Price Interventions in a Cournot Oligopoly with a Dominant Firm
Authors: Banerjee Priyodorshi
Published: July 2007

We study a Cournot oligopoly with one low-cost (dominant) firm and one or more high-cost (subordinate) firms. If the equilibrium is interior, with all firms producing positive quantity, a reallocation of production relative to the equilibrium point, such that the dominant firm produces more, while the subordinate firms produce less, can increase consumers' surplus, as well as joint firm profit. We show that a price intervention (either a price floor or a fixed price) may help achieve such an improvement. The result hinges on the dominant firm having sufficiently low cost relative to the subordinate firms.
Interbank Competition with Costly Screening
Authors: Freixas Xavier , Hurkens Sjaak , Morrison Alan D , Vulkan Nir
Published: July 2007

We analyze credit market equilibrium when banks screen loan applicants. When banks have a convex cost function of screening, a pure strategy equilibrium exists where banks optimally set interest rates at the same level as their competitors. This result complements Broecker's (1990) analysis, where he demonstrates that no pure strategy equilibrium exists when banks have zero screening costs. In our set up we show that interest rate on loans are largely independent of marginal costs, a feature consistent with the extant empirical evidence. In equilibrium, banks make positive profits in our model in spite of the threat of entry by inactive banks. Moreover, an increase in the number of active banks increases credit risk and so does not improve credit market efficiency: this point has important regulatory implications. Finally, we extend our analysis to the case where banks have differing screening abilities.
‘The Toughest of Chores’: Policy and Practice in Children Collecting Water in South Africa
Authors: Hemson David
Published: July 2007

The child has an elevated position within national policy in South Africa. This concern for children has been translated in varying degrees into policy, particularly in relation to child labour. Internationally there is concern that forms of child work should not impede the development of the child, particularly in health and education. Research conducted in South Africa has concluded that children collecting water, often over long distances in rural communities, is one of the most common forms of child labour. The research pioneers the study of children collecting water and develops an appropriate research methodology. The results of a survey into this practice conclude that in rural communities there are very high proportions of children collecting water. Of the time per week spent in domestic activities, two-thirds is spent in collecting water. The children's attitude is generally that this is a socially necessary practice. Among those collecting, however, an important proportion of those who are most extensively involved report that they are suffering ill effects in terms of education and health. The survey found that that those collecting for longer hours than the average complained of often being late for school, being unable to concentrate in class, having poor morale, and needing to leave school as early as possible to collect water. Delayed progress through schooling at the ‘appropriate’ age is also evident as well as complaints of fatigue and other health effects. The results of this research are intended to lead to the prioritisation of the implementation of water projects to areas where there are large numbers of children collecting water.
Political News and Political Consciousness
Authors: Schertges Claudia
Published: July 2007

This article deals with mass media in modern democratic societies, using the example of Israeli news reports in German television (TV) news. Central to this interest are processes of mediating politics: political socialisation and education; that is to say, empowering citizens via TV news to participate in democratic processes. The article outlines the current state of TV news making in Germany. Against this background, whilst focusing on TV news production, processes of alienation within the making of news as well as a process of alienation making by the news are discussed.
Soil nematodes inhabiting an original dry meadow and an abandoned vineyard in the National Park Seewinkel, Eastern Austria
Authors: Zolda P. , Háněl L.
Published: July 2007

Nematode communities of cultivated vineyards showed characteristics typical for cultivated ecosystems, e.g. predominance of plant parasitic nematodes followed by bacterivores. The abandoned vineyard showed a reverse trophic structure: bacterivorous nematodes with short life cycles (cp 2) predominated and the population of plant parasites was small. The nematode trophic structure of the dry meadow was similar to the abandoned vineyard. Nevertheless, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that differences in nematode communities were still detectable at the generic level, with some genera occurring solely in one or the other site (e.g. Xiphinema). Thus, soil nematodes indicated a recovery of primary production and decomposition processes in the formerly cultivated vineyard soil, because plant parasites consuming plant tissues decreased, and organic matter breakdown was slower, as in low-input grasslands. Communities of soil nematodes were also compared with intensively cultivated vineyards previously surveyed in Eastern Austria.
From cestodes to nematodes: 15 years of scientific collaboration between the Parasitological Institute SAS and the Section of Parasitology of the Sapienza University of Rome
Authors: D’Amelio S. , Šnábel V.
Published: July 2007

The Parasitological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the Section of Parasitology (formerly Institute of Parasitology) of the Department of Public Health Sciences of the Sapienza University of Rome have had a long term collaboration within several projects, starting with the first visiting fellowships in 1992 in Rome. Since then, the collaboration between the two institutions has continuously developed and has been focused mainly on the systematics of cestodes, starting in particular with the studies on the genetic polymorphism of fish Proteocephalus tapeworms in different host populations examined by enzyme electrophoresis. Some molecular studies have been later carried out on Eubothrium spp. and Echinococcus multilocularis, and most of our joint interest has been focused on Echinococcus granulosus and more recently, on Ascaris nematodes. The major achievements obtained during these years of collaboration are herein reported.
Some results on ℚ-groups
Authors: Darafsheh M. , Sharifi H.
Published: July 2007

A finite group G whose irreducible characters are rational valued is called a ℚ-group. In this paper we will be concerned with the structure of a finite ℚ-group that contains a strongly embedded subgroup and the structure of a finite ℚ-group satisfying the property that none of its sections is isomorphic to
$$\mathbb{S}_4 $$
.
Organocatalysis in the Asymmetric Synthesis of Nitrogen-Containing Compounds: How and Why
Authors: Bernardi Luca , Fini Francesco , Fochi Mariafrancesca , Ricci Alfredo
Published: July 2007

Various types of polyfunctionalised stereodefined organic molecules appear to be highly serviceable as organocatalysts in the asymmetric synthesis of nitrogen-containing compounds. Beyond name reactions such as the aza-Henry, the Friedel-Crafts, and the Strecker other representative
transformations like the hydrophosphonylation can be easily approached by using the suitable organocatalytic species and are herein reported with a special emphasis placed on the reaction and stereochemical outcomes and on the mechanistic insights.
Patient‐controlled analgesia versus continuous infusion of morphine during vaso‐occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease, a randomized controlled trial
Authors: van Beers Eduard J. , van Tuijn Charlotte F.J. , Nieuwkerk Pythia T. , Friederich Philip W. , Vranken Jan H. , Biemond Bart J.
Published: July 2007

Intravenous morphine is the treatment of choice for severe pain during vaso‐ occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease (SCD). However, side effects of morphine may hamper effective treatment, and high plasma levels of morphine are associated with severe complications such as acute chest syndrome. Furthermore, adequate dosing remains a problem since no objective measurement of pain severity exists and analgesia should be titrated upon the patient's reported pain. Patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA) may therefore be an interesting alternative since patients can titrate the level of analgesia themselves. In this randomized controlled study, the efficacy of intravenous morphine administration with PCA was compared with continuous infusion (CI) of morphine in patients with SCD during vaso‐occlusive crisis. Twenty five consecutive episodes of vaso‐occlusive crisis in 19 patients with SCD were included in the study. Patients in the PCA‐group had a markedly and significant lower mean and cumulative morphine consumption when compared with the patients in the CI‐group (0.5 mg/hr versus 2.4 mg/hr (P < 0.001) and 33 mg versus 260 mg (P = 0.018, respectively). The mean daily pain scores were comparable (4.9 versus 5.3). The lower mean and cumulative morphine consumption in the PCA‐group led to significant less nausea and constipation during treatment when compared with the CI‐group (area under the curve, respectively, 11 versus 18 (P = 0.045) and 30 versus 45 (P = 0.021). Furthermore, a nonsignificant reduction in the duration of hospital admission of 3 days was observed in the PCA‐group. PCA results in adequate pain relief at a much lower morphine consumption and should considered to be the first choice in morphine administration to sickle cell patients admitted with vaso‐occlusive crisis. Am. J. Hematol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.