bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ectopic Overexpression of Wheat Adenosine Diphosphate‐ribosylation Factor, TaARF, Increases Growth Rate in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yao Yingyin , Ni Zhongfu , Du Jinkun , Han Zongfu , Chen Yan , Zhang Qingbo , Sun Qixin
Published: December 2008

Differential gene expression between hybrids and their parents is considered to be associated with heterosis. However, the physiological functions and possible contribution to heterosis of these differentially expressed genes are unknown. We have isolated one hybrid upregulated gene encoding putative wheat ADP‐ribosylation factor, designated TaARF. In this study, real‐time quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the TaARF transcript was preferentially expressed in root, node and crown, and the accumulation of TaARF mRNA in hybrid was more than 1.5‐fold higher than that in two parents. In order to understand possible roles of the putative wheat ARF gene, TaARF was overexpressed in Arabidopsis, and the transgenic plants were characterized. We show that ectopic overexpression of TaARF in Arabidopsis leads to increased leaf area, increased growth rate and earlier transition to flowering, suggesting that TaARF plays significant roles in growth and development. This study provides evidence demonstrating that TaARF plays important roles in growth and development and we speculate that the upregulated expression of this gene might contribute to the heterosis observed in wheat root and leaf growth.
Genetic Analysis and Fine Mapping of Two Genes for Grain Shape and Weight in Rice
Authors: Guo Longbiao , Ma Lilian , Jiang Hua , Zeng Dali , Hu Jiang , Wu Liwen , Gao Zhenyu , Zhang Guangheng , Qian Qian
Published: December 2008

To identify genetic loci controlling grain weight, an elite indica rice variety, Baodali, with large grains was identified and used in this study. Its derived F2, F3 and BC2F2 with another japonica rice variety Zhonghua 11 were used as mapping populations. Linkage analyses demonstrated that two genes controlling grain weight, designated as GW3 and GW6, were mapped to chromosome 3 and chromosome 6, respectively. Fine mapping delimited GW3 to a 122 kb physical distance between two sequence tagged site markers (WGW16 and WGW19) containing 16 open reading frames annotated by The Institute for Genomic Research (http://www.tigr.org). GW6 was further mapped between two simple sequence repeat markers (RM7179 and RM3187). These results are useful for both marker assisted selection of grain weight, and for further cloning of GW genes, which will contribute to the dissection of the molecular mechanism underlying grain weight in rice.
Bacteriological Qualities of Dialysis Fluid in Japan as of 31 December 2006
Authors: Masakane Ikuto , Tsubakihara Yoshiharu , Akiba Takashi , Watanabe Yuzo , Iseki Kunitoshi
Published: December 2008

Abstracts

The Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (JSDT) collected the data from 3488 dialysis facilities about the status of bacteriological qualities and quality controls for dialysis fluid as of 31 December 2006. The data included the endotoxin (ET) levels, bacterial counts and usage of ET retentive filters (ETRFs). It was found that ET level measurements were performed in 2873 facilities (82.4%). The JSDT standard for ET level in dialysis fluid (<0.050 EU/mL) was achieved in 89.0%, and an ET level less than 0.001 EU/mL was achieved in 29.8%; however, bacterial counts were examined in only 1049 facilities (34.1%). The JSDT standard for the bacterial cell count in dialysis fluid (<100 cfu/mL) was achieved in 96.9%, and a count of 0.1 cfu/mL, which guarantees ultra‐pure dialysis fluid, was achieved in 48.4%. ETRFs were installed in 78.5% of all facilities and in 53.4% of all dialysis machines. Although the JSDT standard is the most stringent in the world, the compliance rate was excellent. Bacteriological water qualities of dialysis fluid are extremely high in most Japanese dialysis facilities and this might have a close relationship to the high dialysis patient survival rate in Japan.
Difficulty in Improving Malnutrition and Low‐grade Inflammation in Diabetic Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Park Sung‐Won , Seo Jung‐Ju , Bae Ho‐Sang , Kim Jong‐Yeon , Kim Chan‐Duck , Park Sun‐Hee , Kim Yong‐Lim
Published: December 2008

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is commonly used for renal replacement therapy in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. We investigated the changes of peritoneal transport characteristics, nutritional status, and adequacy and inflammation parameters in diabetic CAPD patients (N = 17) compared to non‐diabetic patients (N = 23). Peritoneal equilibrium testing, nutritional, biochemical, and anthropometric parameters and adequacy were prospectively assessed at 1 (baseline), 6 and 12 months after initiating CAPD. The levels of several nutritional parameters were lower and did not change in DM patients over time (P < 0.05) and significantly improved in the non‐DM patients over time (P < 0.05). Total weekly creatinine clearance and residual renal function exhibited a rapid decline (P < 0.05) and inflammation parameter levels were higher in DM patients (P < 0.05). Our results showed the difficulty in improvement of nutritional status and inflammatory parameters in diabetic patients during at least the first year of CAPD compared to non‐DM patients.
A Case Report of Double‐Filtration Plasmapheresis for the Resolution of Refractory Chronic Urticaria
Authors: Jiang Xinxin , Lu Mingxi , Ying Yingjuan , Feng Jian , Ye Youxin
Published: December 2008

A 29‐year‐old Chinese female was diagnosed with chronic urticaria. Dexamethasone and gamma globulin initially resolved the illness; however, when dexamethasone was decreased and gamma globulin was withdrawn, urticaria emerged again and could not be controlled by any of the medications used. The diagnosis of refractory chronic urticaria was made and double‐filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) was performed. The symptoms were relieved during the first DFPP procedure and the disease resolved shortly thereafter. DFPP theoretically removes medium to large molecular substances such as IgG and IgE from circulation, and therefore may prove to be an effective treatment for refractory chronic urticaria.
Planet formation in the habitable zone of α Centauri B
Authors: Thébault P. , Marzari F. , Scholl H.
Published: December 2008

Recent studies have shown that α Centauri B might be, from an observational point of view, an ideal candidate for the detection of an Earth-like planet in or near its habitable zone (0.5–0.9 au). We study here if such habitable planets can form, by numerically investigating the planet-formation stage which is probably the most sensitive to binarity effects: the mutual accretion of km-sized planetesimals. Using a state-of-the-art algorithm for computing the impact velocities within a test planetesimal population, we find that planetesimal growth is only possible, although marginally, in the innermost part of the habitable zone (HZ) around 0.5 au. Beyond this point, the combination of secular perturbations by the binary companion and gas drag drives the mutual velocities beyond the erosion limit. Impact velocities might later decrease during the gas removal phase, but this probably happens too late for preventing most km-sized objects to be removed by inward drift, thus preventing accretion from starting anew. A more promising hypothesis is that the binary formed in a crowded cluster, where it might have been wider in its initial stages, when planetary formation was ongoing. We explore this scenario and find that a starting separation roughly 15 au wider, or an eccentricity 2.5 times lower than the present ones, is required to have an accretion-friendly environment in the whole HZ.
Uncertainties in theoretical He i emissivities: H ii regions, primordial abundance and cosmological recombination
Authors: Porter R. L. , Ferland G. J. , MacAdam K. B. , Storey P. J.
Published: December 2008

A number of recent works in astronomy and cosmology have relied upon theoretical He i emissivities, but we know of no effort to quantify the uncertainties in the atomic data. We analyse and assign uncertainties to all relevant atomic data, perform Monte Carlo analyses, and report standard deviations in the line emissivities. We consider two sets of errors, which we call ‘optimistic’ and ‘pessimistic’. We also consider three different conditions, corresponding to prototypical Galactic and extragalactic H ii regions and the epoch of cosmological recombination. In the extragalactic H ii case, the errors we obtain are comparable to or larger than the errors in some recent Yp calculations, including those derived from cosmic microwave background observations. We demonstrate a systematic effect on primordial abundance calculations; this effect cannot be reduced by observing a large number of objects. In the cosmological recombination case, the errors are comparable to many of the effects considered in recent calculations.
Highly ionized gas on galaxy scales: mapping the interacting Seyfert galaxy LEDA 135736
Authors: Gerssen J. , Wilman D. J. , Christensen L. , Bower R. G. , Wild V.
Published: December 2008

We have used the VIMOS Integral Field Unit to map the properties of the Seyfert 1.9 galaxy LEDA 135736. These maps reveal a number of interesting features including: an extended narrow-line region (ENLR) detectable out to ∼9 kpc, an area of intense star formation located at a projected distance of 12 kpc from the centre, an elliptical companion galaxy, and kinematic features, aligned along the long axis of the ENLR, that are consistent with radio jet driven mass outflow. We propose that the ENLR results from extraplanar gas ionized by the active galactic nucleus (AGN), and that the AGN in turn might be triggered by interaction with the companion galaxy, which can also explain the burst of star formation and morphological features. Only about 2 per cent of the ENLR's kinetic energy is in the mass outflow. We infer from this that the bulk of mechanical energy imparted by the jet is used to heat this gas.
CORRELATIONS AND PREDICTION EQUATIONS FOR FATTY ACIDS AND SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF BEEF LONGISSIMUS RIB STEAKS FROM FORAGE‐FED CATTLE AND RETAIL USDA CHOICE AND SELECT RIB STEAKS
Authors: BAUBLITS R.T. , POHLMAN F.W. , BROWN A.H. , JOHNSON Z.B. , RULE D.C. , ONKS D.O. , MURRIETA C.M. , RICHARDS C.J. , SANDELIN B.A. , LOVEDAY H.D. , PUGH R.B.
Published: December 2008

Rib steaks (n = 52) from forage‐fed cattle and United States Department of Agriculture Choice and Select rib steaks obtained from area supermarkets were utilized to determine correlations between fatty acids and sensory characteristics, to develop prediction models for sensory characteristics, and to determine correlations among fatty acids. The beef/brothy and beef fat sensory characteristics were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with 16:0, 16:1cis‐9 and 18:1, and negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with 15:0, α‐18:3, 20:4, 20:5, 22:5 and 22:6. The grassy sensory characteristic was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with 15:0, 16:1trans‐9, 18:0, 18:2cis‐9,trans‐11 (conjugated linoleic acid [CLA]), α‐18:3, 20:5, 22:5 and 22:6. Regression utilizing stepwise selection to develop prediction equations for sensory characteristics indicated that the beef/brothy sensory characteristic was best predicted (P < 0.05) by the single fatty acid 20:5, with this fatty acid explaining 40% of the variation. CLA and α‐18:3 were utilized in the model that best predicted (P < 0.05) milky/oily flavor, with these two fatty acids explaining 31% of the variation. These results indicate that CLA and the 20‐ and 22‐carbon polyunsaturates have large roles in influencing flavor, causing increases in grassy and milky/oily flavor or decreasing beef/brothy flavor.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

With the increase in concentrate feed costs, it has become more important to finish cattle on alternate feedstuffs, particularly forage. However, shifting cattle from concentrate to forage finishing diets may impart different sensory attributes of the beef produced. Therefore, it would be advantageous to be able to predict palatability characteristics such as beef flavor in order to correctly segregate beef into markets that seek and accept different sensory attributes. Results from this study would allow beef to be identified from its fatty acid profile as forage finished or grain finished in sensory characteristics and therefore targeted to the appropriate markets. Furthermore, with these results, it may be possible to produce and correctly classify beef from forage‐finished diets that may exhibit affinities to deposition of fatty acids more closely associated with grain‐finished beef, and therefore fit into those markets.
MICROBIAL, INSTRUMENTAL COLOR AND SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF GROUND BEEF PROCESSED FROM BEEF TRIMMINGS TREATED WITH POTASSIUM LACTATE, SODIUM METASILICATE, PEROXYACETIC ACID OR ACIDIFIED SODIUM CHLORITE AS SINGLE ANTIMICROBIAL INTERVENTIONS
Authors: POHLMAN F.W. , DIAS‐MORSE P.N. , QUILO S.A. , BROWN A.H. , CRANDALL P.G. , BAUBLITS R.T. , STORY R.P. , BOKINA C. , RAJARATNAM G.
Published: December 2008

Beef trimmings, inoculated with Escherichia coli (EC) and Salmonella typhimurium (ST), were treated with 3% potassium lactate (K‐L), 4% sodium metasilicate (NMS), 0.1% acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) or 0.02% peroxyacetic acid (PAA) prior to grinding. The ground beef packages were sampled at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 7 days of simulated retail display. All treatments reduced (P < 0.05) EC, coliforms and aerobic plate counts up to and some in excess of 1 log and ST count ≥ 1.5 logs. Sensory panelists found ground beef from all treatments to generally be similar (P > 0.05) to the control in odor and similar (P > 0.05) in color for the K‐L and NMS treatments during initial display. Instrumental color results indicated that K‐L, NMS and PAA were similar (P > 0.05) in redness (a*) to the control. These findings indicated that use of tested antimicrobial agents can reduce microbial numbers with little impact on sensory odor and color characteristics.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Although antimicrobial interventions have shown promising results in decontaminating meat products, there are only a limited number of antimicrobial products that can be used without causing adverse effects on quality characteristics of the final product. Consumers often discriminate against discolored meat products, and thus any deleterious effects on color and other quality attributes in decontaminated products will lead to a negative economic impact. The outcome of this research will provide information on selection of antimicrobial agents that will maximize ground beef safety without causing deleterious effects on quality attributes. Application of suitable antimicrobial interventions at the end of a production line will be advantageous to supply ground beef with increased shelf‐life and decreased or no risk for illnesses caused by pathogens.
Investigation of Transport Processes inside Karst Aquifer by Means of STATIS
Authors: Fournier M. , Motelay‐Massei A. , Massei N. , Aubert M. , Bakalowicz M. , Dupont J.P.
Published: December 2008

Environmental data sets are often multidimensional and consequently display complex structure. This article shows the limitations of principal component analysis (PCA) for the study of such three‐dimensional (3D) data sets. These limitations can be resolved by the use of the statistical tool STATIS. The inlet (a swallow hole) and the outlet (a spring) of a karst system of the Western Paris basin were sampled during three rain events of various intensities. These 3D geochemical data sets (variables × sites × dates) for a karst system were analyzed by STATIS method to identify hydrological processes. STATIS proceeds in three steps (interstructure, compromise, and intrastructure), which allows us to focus the analysis of hydrologic systems at different temporal and spatial scales. Compromise plane shows that suspended matter and flood are not simultaneous and highlights a rapid flow, characterized by turbidity and phosphate, which represents a point source contamination, and a ground water flow contaminated by nitrate. Intrastructure plane allows us to compare hydrochemical variations between the swallow hole and the spring lead. By this way, hydrological processes such as direct transfer and resuspension of intrakarstic sediments before and after the flood were identified what cannot be realized by comparison of inlet and outlet breakthrough curves. Finally, results obtained from the same data set by STATIS and a coupled study using PCA and normalized hysteresis curves were compared. This comparison shows the efficiency of STATIS at the identification of transport processes and vulnerability of karst system and its potential for hydrological applications.
Controls on Ground Water Chemistry in the Central Couloir Sud Rifain, Morocco
Authors: Benaabidate Lahcen , Fryar Alan E.
Published: December 2008

Irrigation, urbanization, and drought pose challenges for the sustainable use of ground water in the central Couloir sud rifain, a major agricultural region in north‐central Morocco, which includes the cities of Fès and Meknès. The central Couloir is underlain by unconfined and confined carbonate aquifers that have suffered declines in hydraulic head and reductions in spring flow in recent decades. Previous studies have surveyed ground water flow and water quality in wells and springs but have not comprehensively addressed the chemistry of the regional aquifer system. Using graphical techniques and saturation index calculations, we infer that major ion chemistry is controlled (1) in the surficial aquifer by cation exchange, calcite dissolution, mixing with deep ground water, and possibly calcite precipitation and (2) in the confined aquifer and warm springs by calcite dissolution, dolomite dissolution, mixing with water that has dissolved gypsum and halite, and calcite precipitation. Analyses of 2H and 18O indicate that shallow ground water is affected by evaporation during recharge (either of infiltrating precipitation or return flow), whereas deep ground water is sustained by meteoric recharge with little evaporation. Mechanisms of recharge and hydrochemical evolution are broadly consistent with those delineated for similar regional aquifer systems elsewhere in Morocco and in southern Spain.
B2kinin receptors mediate the Indian red scorpion venom‐induced augmentation of visceral reflexes via the nitric oxide cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway
Authors: Kanoo S. , Alex A. B. , Tiwari A. K. , Deshpande S. B.
Published: December 2008

Aim: This study was performed to delineate the kinin (receptor)‐dependent pathways in the Indian red scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus; MBT) venom‐induced pulmonary oedema as well as the augmentation of cardio‐pulmonary reflexes evoked by phenyldiguanide (PDG).

Methods: In urethane‐anaesthetized adult rats, the effect of venom on the PDG reflex responses (blood pressure, heart rate and respiration rate) and the pulmonary water content was ascertained using various antagonists(des‐ Arg, B1receptor antagonist; Hoe 140, B2receptor antagonist;Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME), nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor; methylene blue, soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor; and glibenclamide, K+ATPchannel blocker). The effect of phosphodiesterase V inhibitor (sildenafil citrate) on the reflex response and the pulmonary water content was also examined and compared with venom‐induced responses.

Results: Intravenous injection of PDG (10 μg kg−1) evoked apnoea, bradycardia and hypotension lasting >60 s. Exposure to MBT venom (100 μg kg−1) for 30 min augmented the PDG reflex responses by two times and increased the pulmonary water content, significantly. Hoe 140 blocked the venom‐induced responses (augmentation of PDG reflex and increased pulmonary water content) whereas des‐Arg did not.l‐NAME, methylene blue or glibenclamide also blocked the venom‐induced responses. Furthermore, sildenafil citrate (that increases cGMP levels) produced augmentation of PDG reflex response and increased the pulmonary water content as seen with venom.

Conclusion: The results indicate that venom‐induced responses involve B2kinin receptors via the NO‐dependent guanylate cyclase‐cGMP pathway involving K+ATPchannels.
Scale Management and Remote Sensor Synergy in Forest Monitoring
Authors: Tullis Jason A. , Defibaugh y Chávez Jason M.
Published: December 2008

Quickened remote sensing‐assisted data‐to‐decision pathways in forest monitoring and other applications are fragmented with respect to the treatment of spatial scale. While definitions, terminology, and fundamental scale questions are fairly stable, common practices of dealing with the effects of spatial scale in such applications as forest monitoring have remained stagnant for decades. Recent studies are searching for ways to efficiently manage scale so that remote sensing‐derived information factors such as reliability and economy may be maximized. Development and research in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence‐assisted spatial data processing, high‐throughput computing, automated geometric correction, and object‐oriented image analysis can be positioned so as to facilitate significantly improved worldwide forest remote sensor synergy. The potential impact of research in automated spatial scale management to this end suggests that it should be computationally integrated with forest remote sensing applications.
Meteorological Mechanisms Explaining Thunderstorm‐Related Asthma
Authors: Grundstein Andrew , Sarnat Stefanie Ebelt
Published: December 2008

Associations between thunderstorms and asthma morbidity have been identified in multiple locations around the world. The most prominent hypotheses for thunderstorm‐related asthma are linked with bioaerosols, and involve the roles of rainwater in promoting the release of respirable allergens from pollen and fungi and downdraft winds spreading the allergens near the surface. Other hypotheses that are independent of bioaerosols involve the production of irritant gases and charged particles by lightning as well as rapid cooling of air temperatures, each of which may promote an asthmatic response. A major limitation of existing studies is the use of meteorological data with poor spatial resolution and a lack of appropriate air quality data to explicitly support and/or refute any of the specific meteorological hypotheses. Increased interdisciplinary collaboration between health scientists and geographers, climatologists, atmospheric and exposure scientists will aid in discerning the factors linking thunderstorms and asthma.
Geographies of Detention and Imprisonment: Interrogating Spatial Practices of Confinement, Discipline, Law, and State Power
Authors: Martin Lauren L. , Mitchelson Matthew L.
Published: December 2008

This article surveys the state of emerging geographic research on detention, imprisonment, and confinement. Prisons and detention centers vary widely in location and form, but all hold human beings without consent by other human beings. We first survey geographical research on prisons and, second, on detention centers. We then argue that this geographic research offers three primary contributions to the study of imprisonment and detention. First, analyzing the spatial practices (the ordering of space and time) of these institutions provides a productive framework for understanding the materiality of social, cultural, and economic relationships. Second, this research provides an important perspective on state responses to the globalization of trade, migration, war, and security. Third, detention and imprisonment are productive sites for exclusionary discourses. In closing, we urge geographers to think deeply about how detention's indeterminacy works beyond the detention center, to be wary of implicit valorizations of imprisonment, and to take seriously the global expansion of the confinement industry.
Formation of Trans Fatty Acids in Ground Beef and Frankfurters due to Irradiation
Authors: Fan X. , Kays S.E.
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT:  This study was conducted to investigate possible formation of trans fatty acids due to irradiation of ground beef and frankfurters. Ground beef and frankfurter samples were irradiated at doses of 0, 1, and 5 kGy at 4 °C, and stored at 4 °C for 7 d (ground beef) or 3 mo (frankfurters). After irradiation and storage of the samples, trans fatty acids along with other fatty acids were analyzed using a modification of AOAC method 996.01. The results showed that 1 kGy irradiation did not induce any change in trans fatty acid content. However, 5 kGy irradiation caused a small but statistically significant (P < 0.01) increase in the dominant trans fatty acid, C18:1 trans, which increased from 3.99% (of total fatty acid) for the nonirradiated ground beef to 4.05% for the 5 kGy sample, and from 1.21% for the nonirradiated frankfurter to 1.28% for the 5 kGy sample. Irradiation had no apparent effect on C16:1 and C18:2 trans fatty acids. In addition, irradiation slightly decreased the relative amount of poly‐unsaturated fatty acid of ground beef and frankfurters, particularly after storage. Compared to variations in trans fatty acid content and fatty acid composition occurring naturally in meat and meat products, the changes due to irradiation were negligible.
Fatty Acid Composition of Beef Intermuscular, Sheep Tail, Beef Kidney Fats and Its Effects on Shelf Life and Quality Properties of Kavurma
Authors: Aksu M.İ.
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT:  The effects of beef intermuscular (BIF), beef kidney (BKF), and sheep tail fats (STF) and storage time on fatty acid composition, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), free fatty acids (FFA), pH and L*, a*, and b* values, and Enterobacteriaceae counts of sliced vacuum‐packaged Kavurma were investigated. Kavurma was made from fresh beef which contained different amounts of melted BIF, BKF, STF, and salt as 10 groups. The Kavurma was sliced 3 to 4 cm thick and was vacuum packed and stored at 4 ± 0.5 °C for 360 d. Animal fat groups (BIF, STF, and BKF) had a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) in terms of both fatty acid composition and total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Used animal fat types and levels in Kavurma production had a significant effect on unsaturated fatty acid composition (except for C18:1n9t) (P < 0.01). C18:1n9c was the dominant fatty acid in all Kavurma groups, and the highest C18:1n9c was determined for 50% STF + 50% BKF (group 6). TBARS and FFA values were affected by the treatment (P < 0.01) and storage time (P < 0.01). The lowest TBARS value was found in group 10 (30% BIF + 35% STF + 35% BKF). There was a significant (P < 0.01) difference in FFA content in Kavurma between 0 and 180 and 360 d, and this value increased during storage time. The a* values of Kavurma decreased during storage, and the greatest decrease was determined between days 0 and 180 of storage. Enterobacteriaceae counts were determined to be under the detectable level in all Kavurma groups during storage.
Amino Acid and Mineral Composition of Protein and Other Components and Their Recovery Yields from Whole Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba) Using Isoelectric Solubilization/Precipitation
Authors: Chen Y.‐C. , Tou J.C. , Jaczynski J.
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT:  Proteins and insolubles were recovered from whole Antarctic krill via novel isoelectric solubilization/precipitation using different pH treatments. The protein recovery yield was 45% to 50% (dry basis). The recovered proteins had higher (P < 0.05) content of essential amino acids (EAAs) and non‐EAAs as well as higher (P < 0.05) ratio of total EAA/total AA than whole krill. The EAAs constituted almost 50% of total AAs. The least extreme pH treatments (pHs 3 and 12) yielded highest (P < 0.05) content of EAAs. The quality of recovered proteins was high based on EAAs meeting FAO/WHO/UNU recommendations for adults and infants. The basic pH yielded proteins with the lowest (P < 0.05) amount of minerals and the highest (P < 0.05) amount of Ca, P, and Mg in the insolubles when compared to the acidic treatments. However, both basic and acidic treatments effectively removed minerals from recovered proteins without the removal of the exoskeleton before processing. Therefore, besides high‐quality proteins, the insolubles may provide a mineral supplement in the animal diet.
Assessing Potential Effects of Inulin and Probiotic Bacteria on Fe Availability from Common Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Caco‐2 Cells
Authors: Laparra J.M. , Glahn R.P. , Miller D.D.
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT:  Inulin, a prebiotic, may enhance intestinal Fe absorption. Our objective was to assess the effects of supplemental inulin and 2 probiotic bacteria (B. infantis and L. acidophillus) on Fe availability to Caco‐2 cells from common white and red beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Cooked beans were mixed or not with supplemental inulin (4%, w/w), and then subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion (pepsin, pH 2; pancreatin, pH 7.2). Subsequently, the digests were incubated overnight with and without B. infantis or L. acidophilus. Ferritin formation in Caco‐2 cells was used to evaluate Fe uptake. Total soluble phenols (Folin–Ciocalteau) and phytate (HPLC‐electrochemical detection) were quantified, and the flavonoids profile (HPLC‐PDA/UV detection) was monitored in the digests. Supplemental inulin did not affect Fe uptake from white nor red beans. Incubation with B. infantis increased total soluble phenols (TSP) in the digests and decreased Fe uptake. Incubation with L. acidophilus decreased TSP in the digest and increased Fe uptake. Variations in Fe uptake were not associated with soluble phytate concentrations in the digests. The largest change in flavonoids profile were found in the digests incubated with L. acidophilus, which decreased the soluble concentration of astragalin (kaempferol‐3‐O‐glucoside). These results suggest that certain probiotics could increase Fe uptake from common beans.
Temperature Effects on the Depuration of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus from the American Oyster (Crassostrea virginica)
Authors: Chae M.J. , Cheney D. , Su Y.‐C.
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT:  This study investigated temperature effects on depuration for reducing Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in American oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Raw oysters were inoculated with 5‐strain cocktail of V. parahaemolyticus or V. vulnificus to levels of 104 to 105 MPN (most probable number)/g and depurated in artificial seawater (ASW) at 22, 15, 10, and 5 °C. Depuration of oysters at 22 °C had limited effects on reducing V. parahaemolyticus or V. vulnificus in the oysters. Populations of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus were reduced by 1.2 and 2.0 log MPN/g, respectively, after 48 h of depuration at 22 °C. Decreasing water temperature to 15 °C increased the efficacy of depuration in reducing V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in oysters. Reductions of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in oysters increased to 2.1 and 2.9 log MPN/g, respectively, after 48 h of depuration at 15 °C. However, depurations at 10 and 5 °C were less effective than at 15 °C in reducing the Vibrio spp. in oysters. Extended depuration at 15 °C for 96 h increased reductions of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in oysters to 2.6 and 3.3 log MPN/g, respectively.
Marital Therapy, Retreats, and Books: The Who, What, When, and Why of Relationship Help‐Seeking
Authors: Doss Brian D. , Rhoades Galena K. , Stanley Scott M. , Markman Howard J.
Published: December 2008

When doubts creep in and marriages begin to falter, where do couples turn for assistance? In a longitudinal study of 213 couples over the first 5 years of marriage, results indicated relationship help‐seeking was relatively common, with 36% of couples seeking some form of outside help during this period. Individual and relationship difficulties predicted increased use of relationship books and marital therapy in the following year; therefore, these behaviors appear to be important outlets for relationship assistance. In contrast, attending marriage retreats/workshops was related only to demographic variables. Results of the present study suggest that the most common types of relationship help‐seeking by community couples are understudied and likely underutilized in the dissemination of empirically based marital interventions.
Divorce is a part of my life… Resilience, Survival, and Vulnerability: Young Adults’ Perception of the Implications of Parental Divorce
Authors: Eldar‐Avidan Dorit , Haj‐Yahia Muhammad M. , Greenbaum Charles W.
Published: December 2008

A qualitative study among 22 young adults (20–25 years old) whose parents divorced during their childhood was conducted in Israel, using semi‐structured, in‐depth, open‐ended interviews. Qualitative data analysis led to identification of three profiles, aiming at a grounded theoretical conceptualization. Three core themes were identified: the centrality of the family; short‐ and long‐term implications of parental divorce and its relations to supportive coping resources; and perspective at young adulthood. Further analysis led to typifying participants by three profiles, which represent the grounded theoretical conceptualizations: resilience, survival, and vulnerability. The most prominent difference among the profiles was the relationships between participants and their parents, and their perception of ongoing parental responsibility. A thorough discussion of the results and their implications for future research, theory development, and practice are presented.
Domestic Violence Assessment Procedures Among Couple Therapists
Authors: Schacht Rebecca L. , Dimidjian Sona , George William H. , Berns Sara B.
Published: December 2008

Guidelines for addressing domestic violence (DV) in couple therapy have been published, but reports of whether therapists routinely follow these suggestions are few. A national survey of 620 couple therapists randomly selected from American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy members was conducted in 2000 to assess therapists’ strategies for assessing DV and selecting a treatment modality when violence is discovered. Less than 4% of respondents indicated consistently following key published guidelines for DV screening (universal screening using separate interviews and questionnaires). A minority indicated that they consider the victim’s safety as a factor in treatment modality selection. DV may be under‐identified by couple therapists and therapists may be using conjoint therapy with couples for whom such therapy is contraindicated because of relationship violence.
The Social Context of Marital Happiness in Urban Indian Couples: Interplay of Intimacy and Conflict
Authors: Sandhya Shaifali
Published: December 2008

This research examines the happiness of 182 married, urban Hindu husbands and wives. Prior research emphasizes that the processes mediating well‐being diverge across cultures with personal desires not impacting the happiness of non‐Western couples. However, with globalization as self needs become important, barometers of happiness such as intimacy and conflict in a relationship assume a critical role in the quality and longevity of marriage, even for non‐Western marriages in a contemporary India. Participants were 91 Indian couples, married an average of 11 years, from three socioeconomic classes, three family structures, and arranged and love marriages. Results reveal that happy couples, compared with unhappy couples, reported agreement, empathy, validation, support, and fulfilled expectations. Couples’ experience and expression of intimacy, affected by social context, also predicted enhanced levels of happiness in marriage while conflict had a negative effect on marital happiness. This research suggests how personal desires may be transforming cultural practices.
Evidence for Changing Flood Risk in New England Since the Late 20th Century1
Authors: Collins Mathias J.
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  Long‐term flow records for watersheds with minimal human influence have shown trends in recent decades toward increasing streamflow at regional and national scales, especially for low flow quantiles like the annual minimum and annual median flows. Trends for high flow quantiles are less clear, despite recent research showing increased precipitation in the conterminous United States over the last century that has been brought about primarily by an increased frequency and intensity of events in the upper 10th percentile of the daily precipitation distribution – particularly in the Northeast. This study investigates trends in 28 long‐term annual flood series for New England watersheds with dominantly natural streamflow. The flood series are an average of 75 years in length and are continuous through 2006. Twenty‐five series show upward trends via the nonparametric Mann‐Kendall test, 40% (10) of which are statistically significant (p < 0.1). Moreover, an average standardized departures series for 23 of the study gages indicates that increasing flood magnitudes in New England occurred as a step change around 1970. The timing of this is broadly synchronous with a phase change in the low frequency variability of the North Atlantic Oscillation, a prominent upper atmospheric circulation pattern that is known to effect climate variability along the United States east coast. Identifiable hydroclimatic shifts should be considered when the affected flow records are used for flood frequency analyses. Special treatment of the flood series can improve the analyses and provide better estimates of flood magnitudes and frequencies under the prevailing hydroclimatic condition.
Assessment Tools for Urban Catchments: Developing Stressor Gradients1
Authors: Bressler David W. , Paul Michael J. , Purcell Alison H. , Barbour Michael T. , Rankin Ed T. , Resh Vincent H.
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  This is the first in a series of three articles designed to establish empirically defined biological indicators and thresholds for impairment for urbanized catchments, and to describe a process by which the biological condition of waterbodies in urbanized catchments can be applied. This article describes alternative gradients of urbanization for assessing and selecting a nationally applicable biological index (article 2 –Purcell et al., this issue) and defining the potential of biological communities within a gradient of cumulative stressors (article 3 –Paul et al. this issue). Gradients were designed to represent the most prominent mosaic of stressors found in urban settings. A primary urban gradient was assembled based on readily obtained information of urbanization to include three broad‐scale parameters: percent urban land use/land cover, population density, and road density. This gradient was used as the standard by which alternative urban gradients, which included fine‐scale instream chemical and hydrologic parameters, were assessed. Five alternative gradients were developed to provide numerous environmental management options based on availability of data from water program resources. The urban gradients were developed with the intent that they be applied throughout the country; therefore, data from three different regions of the United States (Mid‐Atlantic, Midwest, and Pacific Coast) were used to validate the urban gradient model. Our study showed that a relatively straightforward stressor gradient consisting of human population density, road density, and urban land use is useful in providing a framework for developing relevant biological indicators and evaluating the potential of biological communities as a basis for assessing attainment of designated aquatic life use.
Assessment Tools for Urban Catchments: Developing Biological Indicators Based on Benthic Macroinvertebrates1
Authors: Purcell Alison H. , Bressler David W. , Paul Michael J. , Barbour Michael T. , Rankin Ed T. , Carter James L. , Resh Vincent H.
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  Biological indicators, particularly benthic macroinvertebrates, are widely used and effective measures of the impact of urbanization on stream ecosystems. A multimetric biological index of urbanization was developed using a large benthic macroinvertebrate dataset (n = 1,835) from the Baltimore, Maryland, metropolitan area and then validated with datasets from Cleveland, Ohio (n = 79); San Jose, California (n = 85); and a different subset of the Baltimore data (n = 85). The biological metrics used to develop the multimetric index were selected using several criteria and were required to represent ecological attributes of macroinvertebrate assemblages including taxonomic composition and richness (number of taxa in the insect orders of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera), functional feeding group (number of taxa designated as filterers), and habit (percent of individuals which cling to the substrate). Quantile regression was used to select metrics and characterize the relationship between the final biological index and an urban gradient (composed of population density, road density, and urban land use). Although more complex biological indices exist, this simplified multimetric index showed a consistent relationship between biological indicators and urban conditions (as measured by quantile regression) in three climatic regions of the United States and can serve as an assessment tool for environmental managers to prioritize urban stream sites for restoration and protection.
Assessment Tools for Urban Catchments: Defining Observable Biological Potential1
Authors: Paul Michael J. , Bressler David W. , Purcell Alison H. , Barbour Michael T. , Rankin Ed T. , Resh Vincent H.
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  Urbanization represents a strong and increasingly more prevalent impact on stream quality worldwide. One of the characteristic effects of increased urbanization is a consistent decline in biological stream condition. The characterization of this biological degradation with increasing urbanization presents a number of advantages for the study and management of urban streams and catchments. In this paper, the limitation of biological condition with urbanization, called observed biological potential, is characterized. Using an urban intensity index and a biological index developed specifically for urban systems in the Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; and San Jose, California regions, two principal techniques were compared (quantile regression and bin regression) to define observed biological potential along urban gradients. Quantile regression was selected as the preferable tool for describing observed biological potential given the consistency with which it can be applied and its statistical efficiency, however, bin quantile regression performed similarly. Having identified a numeric approximation of observed biological potential, two methods for identifying factors related to distance from potential as a way of identifying critical environmental factors affecting biological condition in urban areas were explored. The results of this work can be used for identifying benchmarks for urban stream biological condition, identifying limiting catchment characteristics, and prioritizing urban stream management efforts.
Spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion and loss of hepatitis B virus DNA after acute flare due to development of drug resistant mutants during entecavir monotherapy
Authors: Mao Ri‐Cheng , Yin You‐Kuan , Qin Yan‐Li , Wu Xiang‐Hui , Weng Xin‐Hua , Zhang Ji‐Ming , Lu Mengji
Published: December 2008

Aims:  Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection under entecavir (ETV) treatment develop resistant mutants with viral rebound. Here, we report an interesting case of spontaneous loss of HBV‐DNA and seroconversion following an acute flare after the development of ETV‐resistant mutants. This patient received ETV after lamivudine breakthrough.

Methods:  Cloning and sequence analysis of the HBV reverse transcriptase (RT) region were performed with seven samples during ETV therapy. In addition, two full‐length HBV genomes derived from samples before and after the emergence of ETV resistance were sequenced.

Results:  ETV resistant mutants appeared at week 228, with virological and biochemical rebound at the same time. Unexpectedly, HBeAg seroconversion occurred 8 weeks later. The viral load decreased and became undetectable from week 252. Analysis of HBV isolates in the patient at week 124 revealed that wild‐type HBV was predominant at that time and ETV resistant mutants were not found among 20 clones. Interestingly, a new mutant type with rtL180M+rtT184L was found alongside rtL180M+rtT184L+rtM204V/I at week 228 and appeared to develop independently, according to the sequence analysis. In contrast to the previously identified ETV resistant mutants, it did not carry the rtM204V/I mutations.

Conclusion:  The data presented here indicates that the flare following the emergence of ETV resistant mutants may reflect immune‐mediated control of HBV infection, leading to a spontaneous loss of HBV‐DNA and seroconversion.
Rheology of poly(sodium acrylate) hydrogels during cross-linking with and without cellulose microfibrils
Authors: Harini M. , Deshpande Abhijit P.
Published: December 2008

The rheology of poly(sodium acrylate) hydrogel cross-linked with N,N′-methylene (bisacrylamide), during gelation is studied. The validity of the Winter-Chambon criterion is examined for gelation. Cellulose microfibrils (CMF) of an aspect ratio ranging from 20 to 100 are used as fillers. The effect of filler CMF (0–1wt%) on the rheological properties during gelation is also investigated. The WC criterion is satisfied and the gel time increased with an increase in the filler content. This suggests the presence of a self-similar structure at the gel point. The storage (G′) and the loss (G″) moduli crossover is observed in the case of unfilled system. Whereas no crossover is observed when the filler is incorporated and from the start of the reaction, G′ is always greater than G″. With the incorporation of the filler, there is a plateau initially in G′ and G″. This is attributed to the physical network of fibrils in the sample mixture. Scaling behavior of rheological properties and fractal dimensions near the gel point are also examined.
Shear banding or not in entangled DNA solutions depending on the level of entanglement
Authors: Boukany Pouyan E. , Wang Shi-Qing
Published: December 2008

Entangled DNA solutions are ideal as a model system to examine nonlinear shear flow behavior. Even when the number of entanglements per chain, Z, is higher than 100, the solution is still soft enough with an elastic plateau modulus under 100Pa and is thus amenable to experimental study by commercial rotational rheometry without ambiguity and uncertainty. We have investigated nonlinear flow behavior of three entangled DNA solutions with Z=24, 60, and 156, respectively, using a combination of particle-tracking velocimetric (PTV) and conventional rheometric measurements. We explore questions such as (a) whether shear banding also occurs in moderately entangled solutions, (b) whether creep results in development of nonlinear velocity profile, (c) whether shear banding produced in startup shear and creep persists at long times in steady state, and (d) whether these entangled solutions exhibit homogeneous shear at the upper end of the stress plateau region. We found that the first DNA solution (Z=24) only shows transient weakly inhomogeneous shear and steady linear velocity profile. In the more entangled solutions (Z=60 and 156), shear banding is observed in startup rate- and stress-controlled shear in the shear thinning regime. Shear homogeneity eventually returns at the upper end of the stress plateau (shear thinning) regime.