bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND RHEOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF “DULCE DE LECHE”
Authors: RANALLI N. , ANDRÉS S.C. , CALIFANO A.N.
Published: November 2011

Physicochemical and rheological characterization of “dulce de leche,” a milk‐based sauce especially popular in South America, was carried out on different types of commercial products (traditional, confectionery, reduced calories or reduced fat). Proximal composition, solid content, water activity, pH and color (Minolta Co., Ramsey, NJ) were evaluated. A controlled stress rheometer (Haake RS600; ThermoGap, Karlsruhe, Germany) was used to perform flow curves, dynamic oscillatory test in the linear viscoelastic range and creep‐recovery experiments. Although in all samples, η decreased with increasing γ′, corresponding to shear‐thinning behavior, clear differences were found in the rheological characteristics of different types of products. Experimental dynamic data were successfully modeled using the Baumgärtel–Schausberger–Winter equation to predict the mechanical relaxation spectrum. Satisfactory prediction of other mechanical properties was validated using creep experiments.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

In spite of the differences in composition and rheological behavior of the several types of “dulce de leche” studied, it was possible to analyze the rheological characteristics of all systems and model the obtained results using the broadened Baumgärtel–Schausberger–Winter (BSW) model as a representation of the relaxation spectra to convert dynamic data into time domain. The parameters of the BSW model were used to explain structural characteristics of the systems; thus, the overall microstructural pattern of “dulce de leche” might be similar, and the differences observed would be mainly explained by the level of interactions among macromolecular components. Using the discrete spectrum obtained from the BSW model, it was possible to calculate other viscoelastic properties of interest; thus, the proposed methodology is a useful tool, especially for establishing a rheological data bank and analyzing viscoelastic experiments of this type of product.
IMPACT OF CALCIUM HYDROXIDE ON THE TEXTURAL PROPERTIES OF BUCKWHEAT NOODLES
Authors: HAN LIHONG , LU ZHANHUI , HAO XUELIANG , CHENG YONGQIANG , LI LITE
Published: November 2011

The effects of calcium hydroxide on the textural properties of buckwheat noodles were studied to elucidate the mechanism of textural improvement for commercial production. The addition of calcium hydroxide significantly (P < 0.05) affected the textural parameters in a dose‐dependent manner. The highest values of tensile strength and cutting force of cooked buckwheat noodles were obtained simultaneously with a mass fraction of 0.4% calcium hydroxide. Further increases in the quantity of calcium hydroxide resulted in decreases in both parameters. Low mass fractions of calcium hydroxide (≤0.4%) might promote swelling and rupturing of the starch granules through formation of Ca2+‐starch and Ca(OH)+‐starch complexes. Release of amylose from the starch granules enhanced formation of a compact and homogeneous buckwheat noodle. Scanning electron microscopy observations confirmed that the microstructure of the cooked noodles containing 0.4% calcium hydroxide was more compact and homogeneous, and less porous than that of control.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Because of their lack of gluten, pure buckwheat noodles are difficult to produce and their sensory characteristics are not fully acceptable compared with common wheat noodles. Introduction of calcium hydroxide into buckwheat noodles can greatly improve their textural properties. Because calcium is essential in the human diet, calcium hydroxide is an ideal additive for the manufacture of buckwheat noodles. The results of this work will provide a theoretical basis for commercial production of pure buckwheat noodles and improvement of the textural properties of other gluten‐free foods.
BALANCING TEXTURE AND OTHER SENSORY FEATURES IN REDUCED FAT SHORT‐DOUGH BISCUITS
Authors: LAGUNA LAURA , VARELA PAULA , SALVADOR ANA , SANZ TERESA , FISZMAN SUSANA M.
Published: November 2011

Shortening in short‐dough biscuits was replaced by a new ingredient, N‐Dulge (a mixture of tapioca dextrin and tapioca starch) at two different levels (10 and 20%). The texture was balanced by replacing part of the flour with resistant starch (RS) (20 and 40%). Nine different formulations were tested by a trained panel and by consumers. The results also correlated with the textural characteristics. The trained panel results showed that the fat replacer increased the hardness and crumbliness, and that these effects were balanced out by the addition of RS. These results correlated well with the instrumental texture parameters. The consumers did not find significant differences in acceptability between the control biscuits (no replacement) and the biscuits with 10% of fat replaced by N‐Dulge and 20% of flour replaced by RS.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Biscuits are widely consumed. Short‐dough biscuits, characterized by a high fat content, are one of the most popular types. Nutritionally, it would be advantageous to decrease their fat content while keeping their sensory properties unchanged.
EFFECT OF BARLEY, BANANA AND SOYA PROTEIN ISOLATE ON RHEOLOGICAL, MICROSTRUCTURAL AND NUTRITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NORTH INDIAN PAROTTA
Authors: BHARGAVA SHIPRA , JYOTHI LAKSHMI A. , INDRANI D.
Published: November 2011

The effect of replacement of whole wheat flour up to 60% with the blends of barley flour, banana flour and soya protein isolate (BBS) on the rheological, north Indian parotta (NIP)‐making characteristics of whole wheat flour and nutritional characteristics of NIP with special reference to protein, starch and dietary fiber was studied. The results showed an increase in the farinograph water absorption, amylograph peak viscosity and extensograph resistance to extension, and a decrease in extensibility and overall quality score of NIP from 54 to 25 for the maximum score of 60 with an increase in BBS up to 60%. The addition of combination of additives (CAs), namely dry gluten powder, sodium stearoyl‐2‐lactylate and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, significantly improved the overall quality of NIP with 40% BBS. The NIP with 40% BBS + CA showed higher total protein, digestible protein, percent availability, total fiber, soluble and insoluble fibers, resistant starch and lower starch hydrolysis index than control NIP.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Majority of people are becoming more aware of the relationship between diet and disease, and believe that foods can be designed to help prevent various diseases. Recent trend in the milling industry is to produce nutritious whole wheat flour using a combination of different grains and seeds for the production of chapati, puri and parotta. However, there is no scientific information on the rheological characteristics of multigrain dough, product and its nutritional quality. The information generated on the use of barley, banana and soya protein isolate in north Indian parotta preparation will be helpful for the commercial manufacture of nutritious parotta.
Seasonalizing Mountain System Recharge in Semi‐Arid Basins‐Climate Change Impacts
Authors: Ajami Hoori , Meixner Thomas , Dominguez Francina , Hogan James , Maddock Thomas
Published: November 2011

Climate variability and change impact groundwater resources by altering recharge rates. In semi‐arid Basin and Range systems, this impact is likely to be most pronounced in mountain system recharge (MSR), a process which constitutes a significant component of recharge in these basins. Despite its importance, the physical processes that control MSR have not been fully investigated because of limited observations and the complexity of recharge processes in mountainous catchments. As a result, empirical equations, that provide a basin‐wide estimate of mean annual recharge using mean annual precipitation, are often used to estimate MSR. Here North American Regional Reanalysis data are used to develop seasonal recharge estimates using ratios of seasonal (winter vs. summer) precipitation to seasonal actual or potential evapotranspiration. These seasonal recharge estimates compared favorably to seasonal MSR estimates using the fraction of winter vs. summer recharge determined from isotopic data in the Upper San Pedro River Basin, Arizona. Development of hydrologically based seasonal ratios enhanced seasonal recharge predictions and notably allows evaluation of MSR response to changes in seasonal precipitation and temperature because of climate variability and change using Global Climate Model (GCM) climate projections. Results show that prospective variability in MSR depends on GCM precipitation predictions and on higher temperature. Lower seasonal MSR rates projected for 2050–2099 are associated with decreases in summer precipitation and increases in winter temperature. Uncertainty in seasonal MSR predictions arises from the potential evapotranspiration estimation method, the GCM downscaling technique and the exclusion of snowmelt processes.
Political Lawyers: The Structure of a National Network
Authors: Paik Anthony , Heinz John P. , Southworth Ann
Published: November 2011

Some research on lawyers active in politics has found that the ties among them create networks in which a center or core of influential actors is surrounded by more peripheral participants. Other studies, however, found more segmented networks, sometimes lacking central players. This research examines the structure and determinants of political ties among forty-seven elite lawyers who served organizations prominent in fourteen national policy issues in 2004–05. The analysis finds a network structure that resembles a rough circle with Republicans on one side and Democrats on the other. Lawyers affiliated with organizations representing a broad constellation of interests are closer to the center of the network, while those working for specialized or narrow causes tend to be located in the periphery. Ties are more dense among conservatives than among liberals. Lawyers who work as organizational leaders or managers are more likely to be near the center than are litigators. Central actors contribute larger amounts to election campaigns. The organized bar, especially the American Bar Association, appears to provide links between liberals and conservatives in one segment of the network.
Patient‐centeredness in long‐term care of older patients – a structured interview
Authors: Bruus Ireen , Varik Merle , Aro Ilme , Kalam‐Salminen Ly , Routasalo Pirkko
Published: November 2011

Aim.  The aim of this study was to describe assessments of older people about patient‐centeredness in the long‐term care of Estonian hospitals, and to determine correlations between patients’ assessments and their socio‐demographic characters.

Background.  Patient‐centeredness increases patients’ satisfaction and enhances their recovery. Still, patients’ opinions are not always taken into account.

Method.  A cross‐sectional study included 111 older people in long‐term care of 14 Estonian hospitals. Data were collected in 2008 by means of structured interviews.

Results.  What patients agreed most was that they were given enough opportunity to carry out activities they were capable of performing themselves. Two thirds of participants had not been sufficiently consulted on who would be providing their care. Half of the participants were not given sufficient opportunity to decide what kind of care was needed and how they would receive it. The more assistance patients needed in daily living activities, the less they considered the care as patient‐centred.

Conclusions.  From the perspective of older people, the patient‐centeredness in Estonian long‐term care is above average. Providing patient‐centred long‐term care in Estonian hospitals deserves more attention.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Older people should be more involved in decision‐making, especially those who need more assistance in daily living activities.
Socioeconomic status and smoking: a review
Authors: Hiscock Rosemary , Bauld Linda , Amos Amanda , Fidler Jennifer A. , Munafò Marcus
Published: November 2011

Smoking prevalence is higher among disadvantaged groups, and disadvantaged smokers may face higher exposure to tobacco's harms. Uptake may also be higher among those with low socioeconomic status (SES), and quit attempts are less likely to be successful. Studies have suggested that this may be the result of reduced social support for quitting, low motivation to quit, stronger addiction to tobacco, increased likelihood of not completing courses of pharmacotherapy or behavioral support sessions, psychological differences such as lack of self‐efficacy, and tobacco industry marketing. Evidence of interventions that work among lower socioeconomic groups is sparse. Raising the price of tobacco products appears to be the tobacco control intervention with the most potential to reduce health inequalities from tobacco. Targeted cessation programs and mass media interventions can also contribute to reducing inequalities. To tackle the high prevalence of smoking among disadvantaged groups, a combination of tobacco control measures is required, and these should be delivered in conjunction with wider attempts to address inequalities in health.
Influenza neuraminidase
Authors: Air Gillian M.
Published: November 2011

Please cite this paper as: Air. (2012) Influenza neuraminidase. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(4), 245–256.

Influenza neuraminidase is the target of two licensed antivirals that have been very successful, with several more in development. However, neuraminidase has been largely ignored as a vaccine target despite evidence that inclusion of neuraminidase in the subunit vaccine gives increased protection. This article describes current knowledge on the structure, enzyme activity, and antigenic significance of neuraminidase.
Guiding Principles for a Research Schools Network: Successes and Challenges
Authors: Schwartz Marc S. , Gerlach Jeanne
Published: November 2011

Building on J. Dewey's (1907) original work with the laboratory school, the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Texas–Arlington is expanding the original concept to include partners throughout a school system and the community in order to support and advance learning in multiple learning environments. The goal is to establish a network of schools, administrators, teachers, graduate students, and policymakers; not necessarily everyone, but a critical mass of vested partners working collaboratively in what we call a Research Schools Network (RSN). The Network uses the new field of Mind, Brain and Education (MBE) to develop a theoretical and practical foundation for addressing educational challenges in the community. This article explores how the college has partnered with Arlington Independent School District (AISD), neighboring universities, the business community, and our state representative to develop and define new paradigms that not only promote MBE as an academic field, but also inform and are informed by the community it seeks to serve.
Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy in Lusitano Horses
Authors: Finno C.J. , Higgins R.J. , Aleman M. , Ofri R. , Hollingsworth S.R. , Bannasch D.L. , Reilly C.M. , Madigan J.E.
Published: November 2011

Background

Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM) is a neurodegenerative disorder that has been previously associated with low vitamin E concentrations.

Objective

To describe the clinical, electrophysiologic, and pathologic features ofEDMin a group of related Lusitano horses.

Animals

Fifteen Lusitano horses.

Procedures

Neurologic examinations were conducted, and serum vitamin E concentrations were measured. Three neurologically abnormal horses were further evaluated by ophthalmologic examination, electroretinography, electroencephalography, muscle and nerve biopsies, and post‐mortem examination.

Results

Six horses appeared neurologically normal, 6 were neurologically abnormal, and 3 had equivocal gait abnormalities. Abnormal horses demonstrated ataxia and paresis. An inconsistent menace response was noted in 4 neurologically abnormal horses and in 1 horse with equivocal findings. All horses had low serum vitamin E concentrations (<1.5 ppm). Ophthalmologic examinations, electroretinograms, electroencephalograms, and muscle and peripheral nerve biopsies were unremarkable in 3 neurologically abnormal horses. At necropsy, major neuropathological findings in these horses were bilaterally symmetric, severe, neuro axonal degeneration in the gracilis, cuneatus medialis, cuneatus lateralis, and thoracicus nuclei and bilaterally symmetric axonal loss and demyelination mainly in the dorsolateral and ventromedial tracts of the spinal cord. A diagnosis ofEDMwas made based on these findings. Pedigree analysis identified 2 sires among the affected horses.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes ataxia and, in severe cases, paresis, in young Lusitano horses. The disease appears to have a genetic basis, and although vitamin E deficiency is a common finding, low serum vitamin E concentrations also may occur in apparently unaffected related individuals.
Breathing 40% O2can attenuate postcontraction hyperaemia or muscle fatigue caused by static forearm contraction, depending on timing
Authors: Fordy Graham R. , Marshall Janice M.
Published: November 2011

Little is known of the role of O2‐dependent mechanisms in the hyperaemia associated with static muscle contraction or recovery from fatigue. Thus, in recreationally active, young, male subjects, forearm contraction was performed twice at 100% maximal voluntary effort until exhaustion, with a 7 min recovery period, whilst 40% O2(hyperoxia) was breathed during the contractions only, or during recovery only, or room air (normoxia) was breathed throughout. When hyperoxia was limited to the contractions, postcontraction increases in forearm blood flow, measured by venous occlusion plethysmography, were ∼25% lower (P< 0.05,n= 10) than during normoxia throughout. Furthermore, the postcontraction increase in venous lactate and fall in pH were attenuated (P< 0.05,n= 8). However, there was no effect on fatigue; time to voluntary exhaustion of contraction 2 was ∼25% less than for contraction 1 in both conditions. By contrast, when hyperoxia was limited to recovery (n= 10), there was no effect on postcontraction increases in forearm blood flow, but fatigue was ameliorated; time to voluntary exhaustion of contraction 2 was comparable to that of contraction 1. These results allow the novel conclusions that, even during static forearm contraction at 100% maximal voluntary effort, additional O2dissolved in plasma can attenuate the contribution made by O2‐dependent dilator substances to postcontraction hyperaemia and that these substances may be released from the muscle fibres or blood vessel wall. Furthermore, they indicate that even in recreationally active individuals, recovery from fatigue can be improved by additional O2made available during recovery, and the O2‐dependent mechanisms that contribute to fatigue are different from those that induce postcontraction hyperaemia.
Conjugate Thermal Analysis of Air-Cooled Discrete Flush-Mounted Heat Sources in a Horizontal Channel
Authors: He Jing , Liu Liping , Jacobi Anthony M.
Published: November 2011

Thermal analysis with comprehensive treatment of conjugate heat transfer is performed in this study for discrete flush-mounted heat sources in a horizontal channel cooled by air. The numerical model accounts for mixed convection, radiative exchange and two-dimensional conduction in the substrate. The model is first used to simulate available experimental work to demonstrate its accuracy and practical utility. A parametric study is then undertaken to assess the effects of Reynolds number, surface emissivity of walls and heat sources, as well as thickness and thermal conductivity of substrate, on flow field and heat transfer characteristics. It is shown that due to radiative heat transfer, the wall temperatures are brought closer, and the trend of temperature variation along the top wall is significantly altered. Such effects are more pronounced for higher surface emissivity and/or lower Reynolds numbers. The influence of substrate conductivity and thickness is related in that a large value of either substrate conductivity or thickness facilitates redistribution of heat and tends to yield a uniform temperature field in the substrate. For highly conductive or thick substrate, the “hot spot” cools down and may occur in upstream sources. Radiation loss to the ambient increases with substrate conductivity and thickness due to the elevated temperature near the openings, yet the total heat transfer over the bottom surface by convection and radiation remains essentially unaltered.
Calculation of for several small detectors and for two linear accelerators using Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Francescon P. , Cora S. , Satariano N.
Published: November 2011

Purpose:

The scope of this study was to determine a complete set of correction factors for several detectors in static small photon fields for two linear accelerators (linacs) and for several detectors.

Methods:

Measurements for Monte Carlo (MC) commissioning were performed for two linacs, Siemens Primus and Elekta Synergy. After having determined the source parameters that best fit the measurements of field specific output factors, profiles, and tissue‐phantom ratio, the generalized version of the classical beam quality correction factor for static small fields,, were determined for several types of detectors by using the Monte Carlo user code which can accurately reproduce the geometry and the material composition of the detector. The influence of many parameters (energy and radial FWHM of the electron beam source, field dimensions, type of accelerator) on the value of was evaluated. Moreover, a MC analysis of the parameters that influence the change of as a function of field dimension was performed. A detailed analysis of uncertainties related to the measurements of the field specific output factor and to the Monte Carlo calculation of was done.

Results:

The simulations demonstrated that the correction factor can be considered independent from the quality beam factor Q in the range 0.68 ± 0.01 for all the detectors analyzed. The of PTW 60012 and EDGE diodes can be assumed dependent only on the field size, for fields down to 0.5 × 0.5 cm2. The microLion, and the microchambers, instead, must be used with some caution because they exhibit a slight dependence on the radial FWHM of the electron source, and therefore, a correction factor only dependent on field size can be used for fields ≥0.75 × 0.75 and ≥1.0 × 1.0 cm2, respectively. The analysis of uncertainties gave an estimate of uncertainty for the 0.5 × 0.5 cm2 field of about 0.7% (1σ) for factor and of about 1.0% (1σ) for the field output factor, , of diodes, microchambers, and microLion.

Conclusions:

Stereotactic diodes with the appropriate are recommended for determining of small photon beams.
The effect of temperature and viscoelasticity on cavitation dynamics during ultrasonic ablation
Authors: Webb Ian R. , Payne Stephen J. , Coussios Constantin-C.
Published: November 2011

Inertial cavitation has been shown to enhance heating rates during high intensity focused ultrasound treatments. Cavitation dynamics will be affected by heating and by the changes in mechanical properties of tissue resultant from thermal denaturation; however, the nature of the change is not known and forms the focus of the current study. A Keller-Miksis equation is used to find the variation in inertial cavitation threshold with temperature in water and, when coupled with a Kelvin-Voigt viscoelastic model, in biological tissue. Simulated thermal ablation treatments in liver and muscle are used to explore the changes in cavitation dynamics, and the resultant frequency spectra of secondary acoustic emissions, due to tissue denaturation. Results indicate that viscosity is the key parameter controlling cavitation dynamics in biological tissues. The increase in viscosity during denaturation is predicted to increase inertial cavitation thresholds, leading to a substantial decrease in the higher harmonic content of the emitted pressure signal across a wide range of bubble radii. Experimental validation of these observations could offer improved methods to monitor therapeutic ultrasound treatments.
Review of scattering and extinction cross-sections, damping factors, and resonance frequencies of a spherical gas bubble
Authors: Ainslie Michael A. , Leighton Timothy G.
Published: November 2011

Perhaps the most familiar concepts when discussing acoustic scattering by bubbles are the resonance frequency for bubble pulsation, the bubbles’ damping, and their scattering and extinction cross-sections, all of which are used routinely in oceanography, sonochemistry, and biomedicine. The apparent simplicity of these concepts is illusory: there exist multiple, sometimes contradictory definitions for their components. This paper reviews expressions and definitions in the literature for acoustical cross-sections, resonance frequencies, and damping factors of a spherically pulsating gas bubble in an infinite liquid medium, deriving two expressions for “resonance frequency” that are compared and reconciled with two others from the reviewed literature. In order to prevent errors, care is needed by researchers when combining results from different publications that might have used internally correct but mutually inconsistent definitions. Expressions are presented for acoustical cross-sections associated with forced pulsations damped by liquid shear and (oft-neglected) bulk or dilatational viscosities, gas thermal diffusivity, and acoustic re-radiation. The concept of a dimensionless “damping coefficient” is unsuitable for radiation damping because different cross-sections would require different functional forms for this parameter. Instead, terms based on the ratio of bubble radius to acoustic wavelength are included explicitly in the cross-sections where needed.
Quantifying seismic survey reverberation off the Alaskan North Slope
Authors: Guerra Melania , Thode Aaron M. , Blackwell Susanna B. , Michael Macrander A.
Published: November 2011

Shallow-water airgun survey activities off the North Slope of Alaska generate impulsive sounds that are the focus of much regulatory attention. Reverberation from repetitive airgun shots, however, can also increase background noise levels, which can decrease the detection range of nearby passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) systems. Typical acoustic metrics for impulsive signals provide no quantitative information about reverberation or its relative effect on the ambient acoustic environment. Here, two conservative metrics are defined for quantifying reverberation: a minimum level metric measures reverberation levels that exist between airgun pulse arrivals, while a reverberation metric estimates the relative magnitude of reverberation vs expected ambient levels in the hypothetical absence of airgun activity, using satellite-measured wind data. The metrics are applied to acoustic data measured by autonomous recorders in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea in 2008 and demonstrate how seismic surveys can increase the background noise over natural ambient levels by 30–45 dB within 1 km of the activity, by 10–25 dB within 15 km of the activity, and by a few dB at 128 km range. These results suggest that shallow-water reverberation would reduce the performance of nearby PAM systems when monitoring for marine mammals within a few kilometers of shallow-water seismic surveys.
Detection of multicomponent signals: Effect of difference in level between components
Authors: Dubois Françoise , Meunier Sabine , Rabau Guy , Poisson Franck , Guyader Gaël
Published: November 2011

The detection of multicomponent signals for which the components are not equidetectable is precisely investigated as a function of the level difference ΔLi/j between components. The detection thresholds are determined for a seven-tone complex signal with random starting phases masked by white noise. Level differences between the components are examined. A model for non-equidetectable conditions based on the statistical summation model is described. The improvement in detection is calculated from the level difference between components that is related to the thresholds for single components. The model predictions are in accordance with the experimental results.
The inertial terms in equations of motion for bubbles in tubular vessels or between plates
Authors: Leighton T. G.
Published: November 2011

Equations resembling the Rayleigh-Plesset and Keller-Miksis equations are frequently used to model bubble dynamics in confined spaces, using the standard inertial term RR¨+3R·2/2, where R is the bubble radius. This practice has been widely assumed to be defensible if the bubble is much smaller than the radius of the confining vessel. This paper questions this assumption, and provides a simple rigid wall model for worst-case quantification of the effect on the inertial term of the specific confinement geometry. The relevance to a range of scenarios (including bubbles confined in microfluidic devices; or contained in test chambers for insonification or imaging; or in blood vessels) is discussed.
The effects of selective consonant amplification on sentence recognition in noise by hearing-impaired listeners
Authors: Saripella Rithika , Loizou Philipos C. , Thibodeau Linda , Alford Jennifer A.
Published: November 2011

Weak consonants (e.g., stops) are more susceptible to noise than vowels, owing partially to their lower intensity. This raises the question whether hearing-impaired (HI) listeners are able to perceive (and utilize effectively) the high-frequency cues present in consonants. To answer this question, HI listeners were presented with clean (noise absent) weak consonants in otherwise noise-corrupted sentences. Results indicated that HI listeners received significant benefit in intelligibility (4 dB decrease in speech reception threshold) when they had access to clean consonant information. At extremely low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) levels, however, HI listeners received only 64% of the benefit obtained by normal-hearing listeners. This lack of equitable benefit was investigated in Experiment 2 by testing the hypothesis that the high-frequency cues present in consonants were not audible to HI listeners. This was tested by selectively amplifying the noisy consonants while leaving the noisy sonorant sounds (e.g., vowels) unaltered. Listening tests indicated small (∼10%), but statistically significant, improvements in intelligibility at low SNR conditions when the consonants were amplified in the high-frequency region. Selective consonant amplification provided reliable low-frequency acoustic landmarks that in turn facilitated a better lexical segmentation of the speech stream and contributed to the small improvement in intelligibility.
Subjective loudness level measurements and equal loudness contours in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Authors: Finneran James J. , Schlundt Carolyn E.
Published: November 2011

Loudness level measurements in human listeners are straightforward; however, it is difficult to convey the concepts of loudness matching or loudness comparison to (non-human) animals. For this reason, prior studies have relied upon objective measurements, such as response latency, to estimate equal loudness contours in animals. In this study, a bottlenose dolphin was trained to perform a loudness comparison test, where the listener indicates which of two sequential tones is louder. To enable reward of the dolphin, most trials featured tones with identical or similar frequencies, but relatively large sound pressure level differences, so that the loudness relationship was known. A relatively small percentage of trials were “probe” trials, with tone pairs whose loudness relationship was not known. Responses to the probe trials were used to construct psychometric functions describing the loudness relationship between a tone at a particular frequency and sound pressure level and that of a reference tone at 10 kHz with a sound pressure level of 90, 105, or 115 dB re 1 μPa. The loudness relationships were then used to construct equal loudness contours and auditory weighting functions that can be used to predict the frequency-dependent effects of noise on odontocetes.
Horns as particle velocity amplifiers
Authors: Donskoy Dimitri M. , Cray Benjamin A.
Published: November 2011

Preliminary measurements and numerical predictions reveal that simple, and relatively small, horns generate remarkable amplification of acoustic particle velocity. For example, below 2 kHz, a 2.5 cm conical horn has a uniform velocity amplification ratio (throat-to-mouth) factor of approximately 3, or, in terms of a decibel level, 9.5 dB. It is shown that the velocity amplification factor depends on the horn’s mouth-to-throat ratio as well as, though to a lesser degree, the horn’s flare rate. A double horn configuration provides limited additional gain, approximately an increase of up to 25%.
Matryoshka locally resonant sonic crystal
Authors: Elford Daniel P. , Chalmers Luke , Kusmartsev Feodor V. , Swallowe Gerry M.
Published: November 2011

The results of numerical modeling of sonic crystals with resonant array elements are reported. The investigated resonant elements include plain slotted cylinders as well as their various combinations, in particular, Russian doll or Matryoshka configurations. The acoustic band structure and transmission characteristics of such systems have been computed with the use of finite element methods. The general concept of a locally resonant sonic crystal is proposed that utilizes acoustic resonances to form additional band gaps that are decoupled from Bragg gaps. An existence of a separate attenuation mechanism associated with the resonant elements that increases performance in the lower frequency regime has been identified. The results show a formation of broad band gaps positioned significantly below the first Bragg frequency. For low frequency broadband attenuation, a most optimal configuration is the Matryoshka sonic crystal, where each scattering unit is composed of multiple concentric slotted cylinders. This system forms numerous gaps in the lower frequency regime, below Bragg bands, while maintaining a reduced crystal size viable for noise barrier technology. The finding opens alternative perspectives for the construction of sound barriers in the low frequency range usually inaccessible by traditional means including conventional sonic crystals.
Level-dependent changes in detection of temporal gaps in noise markers by adults with normal and impaired hearing
Authors: Horwitz Amy R. , Ahlstrom Jayne B. , Dubno Judy R.
Published: November 2011

Compression in the basilar-membrane input–output response flattens the temporal envelope of a fluctuating signal when more gain is applied to lower level than higher level temporal components. As a result, level-dependent changes in gap detection for signals with different depths of envelope fluctuation and for subjects with normal and impaired hearing may reveal effects of compression. To test these assumptions, gap detection with and without a broadband noise was measured with 1 000-Hz-wide (flatter) and 50-Hz-wide (fluctuating) noise markers as a function of marker level. As marker level increased, background level also increased, maintaining a fixed acoustic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to minimize sensation-level effects on gap detection. Significant level-dependent changes in gap detection were observed, consistent with effects of cochlear compression. For the flatter marker, gap detection that declines with increases in level up to mid levels and improves with further increases in level may be explained by an effective flattening of the temporal envelope at mid levels, where compression effects are expected to be strongest. A flatter effective temporal envelope corresponds to a reduced effective SNR. The effects of a reduction in compression (resulting in larger effective SNRs) may contribute to better-than-normal gap detection observed for some hearing-impaired listeners.
The interpretation of speech reception threshold data in normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners: Steady-state noise
Authors: Smits Cas , Festen Joost M.
Published: November 2011

Speech-in-noise-measurements are important in clinical practice and have been the subject of research for a long time. The results of these measurements are often described in terms of the speech reception threshold (SRT) and SNR loss. Using the basic concepts that underlie several models of speech recognition in steady-state noise, the present study shows that these measures are ill-defined, most importantly because the slope of the speech recognition functions for hearing-impaired listeners always decreases with hearing loss. This slope can be determined from the slope of the normal-hearing speech recognition function when the SRT for the hearing-impaired listener is known. The SII-function (i.e., the speech intelligibility index (SII) against SNR) is important and provides insights into many potential pitfalls when interpreting SRT data. Standardized SNR loss, sSNR loss, is introduced as a universal measure of hearing loss for speech in steady-state noise. Experimental data demonstrates that, unlike the SRT or SNR loss, sSNR loss is invariant to the target point chosen, the scoring method or the type of speech material.
Phonation threshold pressure and onset frequency in a two-layer physical model of the vocal folds
Authors: Mendelsohn Abie H. , Zhang Zhaoyan
Published: November 2011

The influence of vocal fold geometry and stiffness on phonation onset was experimentally investigated using a body-cover physical model of the vocal folds. Results showed that a lower phonation threshold pressure and phonation onset frequency can be achieved by reducing body-layer or cover-layer stiffness, reducing medial surface thickness, or increasing cover-layer depth. Increasing body-layer stiffness also restricted vocal fold motion to the cover layer and reduced prephonatory glottal opening. Excitation of anterior–posterior modes was also observed, particularly for large values of the body-cover stiffness ratio. The results of this study were also discussed in relation to previous theoretical and experimental studies.
Description of sounds recorded from Longman’s beaked whale, Indopacetus pacificus
Authors: Rankin Shannon , Baumann-Pickering Simone , Yack Tina , Barlow Jay
Published: November 2011

Sounds from Longman’s beaked whale, Indopacetus pacificus, were recorded during shipboard surveys of cetaceans surrounding the Hawaiian Islands archipelago; this represents the first known recording of this species. Sounds included echolocation clicks and burst pulses. Echolocation clicks were grouped into three categories, a 15 kHz click (n = 106), a 25 kHz click (n = 136), and a 25 kHz pulse with a frequency-modulated upsweep (n = 70). The 15 and 25 kHz clicks were relatively short (181 and 144 ms, respectively); the longer 25 kHz upswept pulse was 288 ms. Burst pulses were long (0.5 s) click trains with approximately 240 clicks/s.
Multiple observations of cavitation cluster dynamics close to an ultrasonic horn tip
Authors: Birkin Peter R. , Offin Douglas G. , Vian Christopher J. B. , Leighton Timothy G.
Published: November 2011

Bubble dynamics in water close to the tip of an ultrasonic horn (∼23 kHz, 3 mm diameter) have been studied using electrochemistry, luminescence, acoustics, light scattering, and high-speed imaging. It is found that, under the conditions employed, a large bubble cluster (∼1.5 mm radius) exists at the tip of the horn. This cluster collapses periodically every three to four cycles of the fundamental frequency of the horn. Following the collapse of the cluster, a short-lived cloud of small bubbles (each tens of microns in diameter) was observed in the solution. Large amplitude pressure emissions are also recorded, which correlate temporally with the cluster collapse. Bursts of surface erosion (measured in real time using an electrochemical technique) and multibubble sonoluminescence emission both also occur at a subharmonic of the fundamental frequency of the horn and are temporally correlated with the bubble cluster collapse and the associated pressure wave emission.
Covariation among vowel height effects on acoustic measures
Authors: Berry Jeff , Moyle Maura
Published: November 2011

Covariation among vowel height effects on vowel intrinsic fundamental frequency (IF0), voice onset time (VOT), and voiceless interval duration (VID) is analyzed to assess the plausibility of a common physiological mechanism underlying variation in these measures. Phrases spoken by 20 young adults, containing words composed of initial voiceless stops or /s/ and high or low vowels, were produced in habitual and voluntarily increased F0 conditions. High vowels were associated with increased IF0 and longer VIDs. VOT and VID exhibited significant covariation with IF0 only for males at habitual F0. The lack of covariation for females and at increased F0 is discussed.
The Large, Oxygen-Rich Halos of Star-Forming Galaxies Are a Major Reservoir of Galactic Metals
Authors: Tumlinson J. , Thom C. , Werk J. K. , Prochaska J. X. , Tripp T. M. , Weinberg D. H. , Peeples M. S. , O’Meara J. M. , Oppenheimer B. D. , Meiring J. D. , Katz N. S. , Davé R. , Ford A. B. , Sembach K. R.
Published: November 2011

Observations with the Hubble Space Telescope show that halos of ionized gas are common around star-forming galaxies.
Silica-Like Malleable Materials from Permanent Organic Networks
Authors: Montarnal Damien , Capelot Mathieu , Tournilhac François , Leibler Ludwik
Published: November 2011

A polymer shows thermoset-like stability while displaying melt processability like that of a thermopolymer.
Electrical Energy Storage for the Grid: A Battery of Choices
Authors: Dunn Bruce , Kamath Haresh , Tarascon Jean-Marie
Published: November 2011

The increasing interest in energy storage for the grid can be attributed to multiple factors, including the capital costs of managing peak demands, the investments needed for grid reliability, and the integration of renewable energy sources. Although existing energy storage is dominated by pumped hydroelectric, there is the recognition that battery systems can offer a number of high-value opportunities, provided that lower costs can be obtained. The battery systems reviewed here include sodium-sulfur batteries that are commercially available for grid applications, redox-flow batteries that offer low cost, and lithium-ion batteries whose development for commercial electronics and electric vehicles is being applied to grid storage.
True Performance Metrics in Electrochemical Energy Storage
Authors: Gogotsi Y. , Simon P.
Published: November 2011

Exceptional performance claims for electrodes used in batteries and electrochemical capacitors often fail to hold up when all device components are included.
Understanding Tribal Fates
Authors: Arthur Ronan , Diamond Jared
Published: November 2011

Geographic and cultural factors help to explain the population explosion of Navajos among Native Americans.
Mathematical Model Identifies Blood Biomarker–Based Early Cancer Detection Strategies and Limitations
Authors: Hori Sharon S. , Gambhir Sanjiv S.
Published: November 2011

Early cancer detection using current clinical blood-based biomarker assays may not be possible within the first 10 years of tumor growth.
Involvement of Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Related to Sequence Type 25 and Harboring
pvl
Genes in a Case of Carotid Cavernous Fistula after Community-Associated Sepsis
Authors: Damasco Paulo V. , Chamon Raiane C. , Barbosa Angélica T. L. , da Cunha Sérgio , Aquino José H. W. , Cavalcante Fernanda S. , dos Santos Kátia R. N.
Published: November 2011

Staphylococcus aureus
encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes has become the cause of life-threatening infections. We describe a case of carotid cavernous fistula after bacteremia in a 12-year-old male, caused by a methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
isolate carrying the
pvl
,
fnbA
, and
ebpS
genes and related to sequence type 25 (ST25). The patient's condition was complicated by pleural empyema and osteomyelitis in the right femur. The patient was discharged in good clinical condition after 160 days of hospitalization.
Duck Hepatitis A Virus Possesses a Distinct Type IV Internal Ribosome Entry Site Element of Picornavirus
Authors: Pan Meng , Yang Xiaorong , Zhou Lei , Ge Xinna , Guo Xin , Liu Jinhua , Zhang Dabing , Yang Hanchun
Published: November 2011

Sequence analysis of duck hepatitis virus type 1 (DHV-1) led to its classification as the only member of a new genus,
Avihepatovirus
, of the family
Picornaviridae
, and so was renamed duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV). The 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) plays an important role in translation initiation and RNA synthesis of the picornavirus. Here, we provide evidence that the 651-nucleotide (nt)-long 5′ UTR of DHAV genome contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element that functions efficiently
in vitro
and within BHK cells. Comparative sequence analysis showed that the 3′ part of the DHAV 5′ UTR is similar to the porcine teschovirus 1 (PTV-1) IRES in sequence and predicted secondary structure. Further mutational analyses of the predicted domain IIId, domain IIIe, and pseudoknot structure at the 3′ end of the DHAV IRES support our predicted secondary structure. However, unlike the case for the PTV-1 IRES element, analysis of various deletion mutants demonstrated that the optimally functional DHAV IRES element with a size of approximately 420 nt is larger than that of PTV-1 and contains other peripheral domains (Id and Ie) that do not exist within the type IV IRES elements. The domain Ie, however, could be removed without significant loss of activity. Surprisingly, like the hepatitis A virus (HAV) IRES element, the activity of DHAV IRES could be eliminated by expression of enterovirus 2A protease. These findings indicate that the DHAV IRES shares common features with type IV picornavirus IRES elements, whereas it exhibits significant differences from type IV IRESs. Therefore, we propose that DHAV possesses a distinct type IV IRES element of picornavirus.
Migration of Norway Rats Resulted in the Worldwide Distribution of Seoul Hantavirus Today
Authors: Lin Xian-Dan , Guo Wen-Ping , Wang Wen , Zou Yang , Hao Zong-Yu , Zhou Dun-Jin , Dong Xue , Qu Yong-Gang , Li Ming-Hui , Tian Hai-Feng , Wen Jian-Fan , Plyusnin Alexander , Xu Jianguo , Zhang Yong-Zhen
Published: November 2011

Despite the worldwide distribution, most of the known Seoul viruses (SEOV) are closely related to each other. In this study, the M and the S segment sequences of SEOV were recovered from 130 lung tissue samples (mostly of Norway rats) and from six patient serum samples by reverse transcription-PCR. Genetic analysis revealed that all sequences belong to SEOV and represent 136 novel strains. Phylogenetic analysis of all available M and S segment sequences of SEOV, including 136 novel Chinese strains, revealed four distinct groups. All non-Chinese SEOV strains and most of the Chinese variants fell into the phylogroup A, while the Chinese strains originating from mountainous areas clustered into three other distinct groups (B, C, and D). We estimated that phylogroup A viruses may have arisen only within the last several centuries. All non-Chinese variants appeared to be directly originated from China. Thus, phylogroup A viruses distributed worldwide may share a recent ancestor, whereas SEOV seems to be as diversified genetically as other hantaviruses. In addition, all available mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences of Norway rats, including our 44 newly recovered mtDNA sequences, were divided into two phylogenetic groups. The first group, which is associated with the group A SEOV variants, included most of rats from China and also all non-Chinese rats, while the second group consisted of a few rats originating only from mountain areas in China. We hypothesize that an ancestor of phylogroup A SEOV variants was first exported from China to Europe and then spread through the New World following the migration of Norway rats.