bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation directs recruitment and activation of an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler
Authors: Gottschalk Aaron J. , Timinszky Gyula , Kong Stephanie E. , Jin Jingji , Cai Yong , Swanson Selene K. , Washburn Michael P. , Florens Laurence , Ladurner Andreas G. , Conaway Joan W. , Conaway Ronald C.
Published: August 2009

Posttranslational modifications play a key role in recruiting chromatin remodeling and modifying enzymes to specific regions of chromosomes to modulate chromatin structure. Alc1 (amplified in liver cancer 1), a member of the SNF2 ATPase superfamily with a carboxy-terminal macrodomain, is encoded by an oncogene implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Here we show that Alc1 interacts transiently with chromatin-associated proteins, including histones and the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase Parp1. Alc1 ATPase and chromatin remodeling activities are strongly activated by Parp1 and its substrate NAD and require an intact macrodomain capable of binding poly(ADP-ribose). Alc1 is rapidly recruited to nucleosomes in vitro and to chromatin in cells when Parp1 catalyzes PAR synthesis. We propose that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of chromatin-associated Parp1 serves as a mechanism for targeting a SNF2 family remodeler to chromatin.
Dramatic Applications of Folksong in Vaughan Williams's Operas Hugh the Drover and Sir John in Love
Authors: Saylor Eric
Published: August 2009

Although Ralph Vaughan Williams's operas Hugh the Drover (1924) and Sir John in Love (1929) both prominently feature English folk and traditional tunes, the dramatic ends such music serves differ significantly between the two works. This article compares the ways in which Vaughan Williams uses folk music in both operas, with the larger aim of providing a more nuanced perspective on the changing musical and dramatic potential the composer saw for indigenous English music within the context of opera.77
The Composer's Voice? Compositional Style and Criteria of Value in Weill, Krenek and Stravinsky
Authors: Taylor-Jay Claire
Published: August 2009

This article focuses on three twentieth-century composers – Weill, Krenek and Stravinsky – whose stylistic ‘voices’ underwent radical changes during their compositional careers. It reflects on how these transformations have been received by critics and musicologists, and asks how far the criteria of value found within musicological and compositional practice have been contingent upon the requirement that composers possess a distinctive, and original, personal style.
Hanslick's Smetana and Hanslick's Prague
Authors: Brodbeck David
Published: August 2009

This article examines the Viennese critic Eduard Hanslick's reception of the music of Bedřich Smetana during the 1880s and 1890s. In three case studies, it suggests that the critic's reviews are best understood in terms not of Smetana's Czech nationalism, but of Hanslick's German liberalism, and of the critic's memories of the youthful background he shared with Smetana in German-speaking yet nationally indifferent Vormärz Prague.
Phosphoregulation of the budding yeast EB1 homologue Bim1p by Aurora/Ipl1p
Authors: Zimniak Tomasz , Stengl Katharina , Mechtler Karl , Westermann Stefan
Published: August 2009

EB1 (end binding 1) proteins have emerged as central regulators of microtubule (MT) plus ends in all eukaryotes, but molecular mechanisms controlling the activity of these proteins are poorly understood. In this study, we show that the budding yeast EB1 protein Bim1p is regulated by Aurora B/Ipl1p-mediated multisite phosphorylation. Bim1p forms a stable complex with Ipl1p and is phosphorylated on a cluster of six Ser residues in the flexible linker connecting the calponin homology (CH) and EB1 domains. Using reconstitution of plus end tracking in vitro and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we show that dimerization of Bim1p and the presence of the linker domain are both required for efficient tip tracking and that linker phosphorylation removes Bim1p from static and dynamic MTs. Bim1 phosphorylation occurs during anaphase in vivo, and it is required for normal spindle elongation kinetics and an efficient disassembly of the spindle midzone. Our results define a mechanism for the use and regulation of CH domains in an EB1 protein.
Histone H2BK123 monoubiquitination is the critical determinant for H3K4 and H3K79 trimethylation by COMPASS and Dot1
Authors: Nakanishi Shima , Lee Jung Shin , Gardner Kathryn E. , Gardner Jennifer M. , Takahashi Yoh-hei , Chandrasekharan Mahesh B. , Sun Zu-Wen , Osley Mary Ann , Strahl Brian D. , Jaspersen Sue L. , Shilatifard Ali
Published: August 2009

Histone H2B monoubiquitination by Rad6/Bre1 is required for the trimethylation of both histone H3K4 and H3K79 by COMPASS and Dot1 methyltransferases, respectively. The dependency of methylation at H3K4 and H3K79 on the monoubiquitination of H2BK123 was recently challenged, and extragenic mutations in the strain background used for previous studies or epitope-tagged proteins were suggested to be the sources of this discrepancy. In this study, we show that H3K4 and H3K79 methylation is solely dependent on H2B monoubiquitination regardless of any additional alteration to the H2B sequence or genome. Furthermore, we report that Y131, one of the yeast histone H2A/H2B shuffle strains widely used for the last decade in the field of chromatin and transcription biology, carries a wild-type copy of each of the HTA2 and HTB2 genes under the GAL1/10 promoter on chromosome II. Therefore, we generated the entire histone H2A and H2B alanine-scanning mutant strains in another background, which does not express wild-type histones.
R/Bioconductor software for Illumina's Infinium whole-genome genotyping BeadChips
Authors: Ritchie Matthew E. , Carvalho Benilton S. , Hetrick Kurt N. , Tavaré Simon , Irizarry Rafael A.
Published: August 2009

Summary: Illumina produces a number of microarray-based technologies for human genotyping. An Infinium BeadChip is a two-color platform that types between 105 and 106 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) per sample. Despite being widely used, there is a shortage of open source software to process the raw intensities from this platform into genotype calls. To this end, we have developed the R/Bioconductor package crlmm for analyzing BeadChip data. After careful preprocessing, our software applies the CRLMM algorithm to produce genotype calls, confidence scores and other quality metrics at both the SNP and sample levels. We provide access to the raw summary-level intensity data, allowing users to develop their own methods for genotype calling or copy number analysis if they wish.

Availability and Implementation: The crlmm Bioconductor package is available from http://www.bioconductor.org. Data packages and documentation are available from http://rafalab.jhsph.edu/software.html.

Contact:  mritchie@wehi.edu.au; rafa@jhu.edu
Swimbladder condition and target strength of myctophid fish in the temperate zone of the Northwest Pacific
Authors: Yasuma Hiroki , Sawada Kouichi , Takao Yoshimi , Miyashita Kazushi , Aoki Ichiro
Published: August 2009

Yasuma, H., Sawada, K., Takao, Y., Miyashita, K., and Aoki, I. 2010. Swimbladder condition and target strength of myctophid fish in the temperate zone of the Northwest Pacific. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 135–144. We report theoretical values of the target strength (TS) of four myctophid fish (Ceratoscopelus warmingii, Myctophum asperum, Diaphus garmani, and Diaphus chrysorhynchus) based on morphometry of the swimbladder. None of the D. chrysorhynchus had an inflated swimbladder, but the other species had both inflated and non-inflated swimbladders, depending on body size. The relationships between swimbladder and body length showed that once gas production started, the swimbladders grew faster than the rest of the body (positive allometric growth). However, M. asperum showed regression of the swimbladder after positive allometric growth, so larger specimens had non-inflated swimbladders. Based on the measurements of swimbladder and body length, the theoretical TS values at 38 and 120 kHz were calculated using existing sound-scattering models. In fish with inflated swimbladders, TS values were relatively low (less than −67 dB, reduced TScm) at both frequencies. Regression slopes on TS–body length (log) plots were >20, suggesting that their scattering cross sections were not proportional to the square of the body length. In contrast, the TS values of M. asperum decreased with growth in large fish (60–80 mm long) through swimbladder regression. Scattering cross sections of fish without swimbladders were not proportional to the square of the body length over the whole size range.
BayesCall: A model-based base-calling algorithm for high-throughput short-read sequencing
Authors: Kao Wei-Chun , Stevens Kristian , Song Yun S.
Published: August 2009

Extracting sequence information from raw images of fluorescence is the foundation underlying several high-throughput sequencing platforms. Some of the main challenges associated with this technology include reducing the error rate, assigning accurate base-specific quality scores, and reducing the cost of sequencing by increasing the throughput per run. To demonstrate how computational advancement can help to meet these challenges, a novel model-based base-calling algorithm, BayesCall, is introduced for the Illumina sequencing platform. Being founded on the tools of statistical learning, BayesCall is flexible enough to incorporate various features of the sequencing process. In particular, it can easily incorporate time-dependent parameters and model residual effects. This new approach significantly improves the accuracy over Illumina's base-caller Bustard, particularly in the later cycles of a sequencing run. For 76-cycle data on a standard viral sample, phiX174, BayesCall improves Bustard's average per-base error rate by ∼51%. The probability of observing each base can be readily computed in BayesCall, and this probability can be transformed into a useful base-specific quality score with a high discrimination ability. A detailed study of BayesCall's performance is presented here.
In situmonitoring by synchrotron radiation of the formation of ZnO nanoparticles by aqueous chemical growth
Authors: Fall S. , Konovalov O. , Maaza M. , Beye A. C. , Gibaud A.
Published: August 2009

Synchrotron radiation experiments were carried out during thein situgrowth of ZnO nanoparticles by the aqueous chemical growth technique. The first results of this exploratoryin situgrazing-incidence diffraction (GID) experiment are reported, with emphasis on the difficulties encountered. In particular, it is shown that, whenin situGID experiments are carried out in a 25 mm-long cell, scattering by the solvent dominates. This impedes the observation of the formation of ZnO nanoparticles during the early stages of the growth process. Nevertheless, it is clearly shown that the wurzite hexagonal structure is present in the solution. At a specific concentration, it is shown how the peak intensities and widths of the Bragg peaks evolve as a function of time.
Finding crystal structures of peptides by random search and evolutionary algorithms
Authors: Immirzi Attilio , Erra Loredana , Tedesco Consiglia
Published: August 2009

Structures of crystalline peptides can be established using a special computer program,PTRY, which needs only limited diffraction data, the lattice constants, space group and primary structure. Crystal structures can be found by doing a random search in the internal-coordinate space and `combinations' among the plausible solutions found according to the genetic rules (crossover and mutation).PTRY, which also performs structural refinement, is simple and user friendly. Because only limited diffraction data are needed, data from powder diffraction spectra could be used, as well as single-crystal data.
Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenases‐C and D, key enzymes in lignin biosynthesis, play an essential role in disease resistance in Arabidopsis
Authors: TRONCHET MAURICE , BALAGUÉ CLAUDINE , KROJ THOMAS , JOUANIN LISE , ROBY DOMINIQUE
Published: August 2009

The deposition of lignin during plant–pathogen interactions is thought to play a role in plant defence. However, the function of lignification genes in plant disease resistance is poorly understood. In this article, we provide genetic evidence that the primary genes involved in lignin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis, CAD‐C and CAD‐D, act as essential components of defence to virulent and avirulent strains of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, possibly through the salicylic acid defence pathway. Thus, in contrast with cellulose synthesis, whose alteration leads to an increase in disease resistance, alteration of the cell wall lignin content leads directly or indirectly to defects in some defence components.
Inhaled tiotropium bromide and risk of stroke
Authors: Grosso Anthony , Douglas Ian , Hingorani Aroon D. , MacAllister Raymond , Hubbard Richard , Smeeth Liam
Published: August 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Conflicting studies have raised uncertainty over the vascular effects of the long‐acting anticholinergic, tiotropium bromide.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• Our results show no increased risk of stroke with tiotropium bromide, or with inhaled anticholinergics in general.

AIMS

A recent communication from the United States Food and Drug Administration highlighted a possible increased risk of stroke associated with use of the relatively new inhaled anticholinergic drug, tiotropium bromide. Using the United Kingdom General Practice Research Database, we set out to assess the risk of stroke in individuals exposed to inhaled tiotropium bromide and two other inhaled treatments for airways disease.

METHODS

We used the self‐controlled case‐series that reduces confounding and minimizes the potential for biases in the quantification of risk estimates.

RESULTS

Of 1043 people with a diagnosis of incident stroke who had had at least one prescription for tiotropium bromide, 980 satisfied inclusion criteria. The age‐adjusted incidence rate ratio for all‐cause stoke in individuals exposed to tiotropium bromide (n= 980), ipratropium bromide (n= 4181) and fluticasone propionate/salmeterol xinafoate (n= 1000) was 1.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9, 1.3], 0.8 (95% CI 0.7, 0.9) and 1.0 (95% CI 0.9, 1.2), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence of an increased risk of all‐cause stroke for individuals exposed to commonly prescribed inhaled treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Modelling the occurrence and severity of enoxaparin‐induced bleeding and bruising events
Authors: Barras Michael A. , Duffull Stephen B. , Atherton John J. , Green Bruce
Published: August 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Enoxaparin is an effective anticoagulant used to treat thromboembolic diseases.

• Dose individualization of enoxaparin based on renal impairment and lean body weight reduces bleeding and bruising end‐points for renally compromised and obese subjects.

• Scant data exist that quantify the dose–exposure–adverse event relationship for enoxaparin, especially in subjects with renal impairment and/or obesity.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• The occurrence and severity of a bleeding or bruising event is described as a function of both cumulative enoxaparin AUC and subject age.

• When compared with conventional (product label) dosing, dose individualization of enoxaparin based on lean body weight and renal function reduces the probability of a bleeding or bruising event.

AIMS

To develop a population pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic model to describe the occurrence and severity of bleeding or bruising as a function of enoxaparin exposure.

METHODS

Data were obtained from a randomized controlled trial (n = 118) that compared conventional dosing of enoxaparin (product label) with an individualized dosing regimen. Anti‐Xa concentrations were sampled using a sparse design and the size, location and type of bruising and bleeding event, during enoxaparin therapy, were collected daily. A population pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic analysis was performed using nonlinear mixed effects techniques. The final model was used to explore how the probability of events in patients with obesity and/or renal impairment varied under differing dosing strategies.

RESULTS

Three hundred and forty‐nine anti‐Xa concentrations were available for analysis. A two‐compartment first‐order absorption and elimination model best fit the data, with lean body weight describing between‐subject variability in clearance and central volume of distribution. A three‐category proportional‐odds model described the occurrence and severity of events as a function of both cumulative enoxaparin AUC (cAUC) and subject age. Simulations showed that individualized dosing decreased the probability of a bleeding or major bruising event when compared with conventional dosing, which was most noticeable in subjects with obesity and renal impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence and severity of a bleeding or major bruising event to enoxaparin, administered for the treatment of a thromboembolic disease, can be described as a function of both cAUC and subject age. Individualized dosing of enoxaparin will reduce the probability of an event.
Effect of topiramate on acid–base balance: extent, mechanism and effects
Authors: Mirza Nasir , Marson Anthony G. , Pirmohamed Munir
Published: August 2009

Topiramate is licensed for the treatment of epilepsy and for migraine prophylaxis, but is also used off‐licence for a wide range of indications. With the increasing use of topiramate, reports have emerged that topiramate can cause metabolic acidosis in some patients. It does this by impairing both the normal reabsorption of filtered HCO3‐ by the proximal renal tubule and the excretion of H+ by the distal renal tubule. This combination of defects is termed mixed renal tubular acidosis (RTA). The mechanism involves the inhibition of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, which is consistent with the fact that genetic deficiency of carbonic anhydrase is associated with mixed RTA. Topiramate‐induced RTA can make patients acutely ill, and chronically, can lead to nephrolithiasis, osteoporosis and, in children, growth retardation. There is no proven method for predicting or preventing the effect of topiramate on acid–base balance, but patients with a history of renal calculi or known RTA should not receive topiramate. The utility of regular monitoring of HCO3‐ levels has not been proven and is not routine practice currently. For patients with persistent RTA, topiramate should usually be discontinued as alternative agents are available.
Use of tree rings to study the effect of climate change on trembling aspen in Québec
Authors: LAPOINTE‐GARANT MARIE‐PIERRE , HUANG JIAN‐GUO , GEA‐IZQUIERDO GUILLERMO , RAULIER FRÉDÉRIC , BERNIER PIERRE , BERNINGER FRANK
Published: August 2009

In this paper, we present a new approach, based on a mixed model procedure, to quantify the tree‐ring‐based growth‐climate relationship of trembling aspen along a latitudinal gradient from 46 to 54 °N in eastern Canada. This approach allows breaking down the growth response into general intersite and local climatic responses, and analyzing variations of absolute ring width as well as interannual variations in tree growth. The final model also integrates nonclimatic variables such as soil characteristics and the occurrence of insect outbreaks into the growth predictions. Tree level random effects on growth were important as intercepts but were nonsignificant for the climatic variables, indicating that a single climate–growth relationship was justified in our case. The response of tree growth to climate showed, however, a strong dependence on the spatial scale at which the analysis was performed. Intersite variations in tree growth were mostly dependent on variations in the thermal heat sum, a variable that showed low interannual and high intersite variation. When variation for a single site was analyzed, other variables showed up to be important while the heat sum was unimportant. Finally, future growth under six different climate change scenarios was simulated in order to study the potential impact of climate change. Results suggest only moderate growth increases in the northern portion of the gradient and a growth decrease in the southern portion under future climatic conditions.
Assessment of the methane mitigation potentials of alternative water regimes in rice fields using a process‐based biogeochemistry model
Authors: FUMOTO TAMON , YANAGIHARA TETSUJI , SAITO TAKASHI , YAGI KAZUYUKI
Published: August 2009

Rice production is a substantial source of atmospheric CH4, which is second only to CO2 as a contributor to global warming. Since CH4 is produced in anaerobic soil environments, water management is expected to be a practical measure to mitigate CH4 emissions. In this study, we used a process‐based biogeochemistry model (DNDC‐Rice) to assess the CH4 mitigation potentials of alternative water regimes (AWR) for rice fields at a regional scale. Before regional application, we tested DNDC‐Rice using site‐scale data from three rice fields in Japan with different water regimes. The observed CH4 emissions were reduced by drainage of the fields, but were enhanced by organic amendments. DNDC‐Rice gave acceptable predictions of variation in daily CH4 fluxes and seasonal CH4 emissions due to changes in the water regime. For regional application, we constructed a GIS database at a 1 × 1 km mesh scale that contained data on rice field area, soil properties, daily weather, and farming management of each cell in the mesh, covering 3.2% of the rice fields in Japan's Hokkaido region. We ran DNDC‐Rice to simulate CH4 emissions under five simulated water regimes: the conventional water regime and four AWR scenarios with gradually increasing drainage. We found that AWR can reduce CH4 emission by up to 41% compared with the emission under conventional water regime. Including the changes in CO2 and nitrous oxide emissions, potential mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) was 2.6 Mg CO2 Eq. ha−1 yr−1. If this estimate is expanded to Japan's total rice fields, expected GHG mitigation is 4.3 Tg CO2 Eq. yr−1, which accounts for 0.32% of total GHG emissions from Japan. For a reliable national‐scale assessment, however, databases on soil, weather, and farming management must be constructed at a national scale, as these factors are widely variable between regions in Japan.
Quantitative trait loci for leaf length in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenneL.)
Authors: Barre P. , Moreau L. , Mi F. , Turner L. , Gastal F. , Julier B. , Ghesquière M.
Published: August 2009

Leaf length is an important trait for forage grasses. Molecular marker development offers the opportunity to identify Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) and to begin to dissect the genetic regulation of complex traits. The objective of this study was to look for QTLs for leaf length and related traits (plant height, lamina and sheath lengths, leaf elongation rate and leaf elongation duration) in the progeny of a cross between two genotypes ofLolium perenneL. with contrasting leaf length. Measurements were performed in a plant nursery in autumn and spring, and in a heated greenhouse in winter. A high level of variability and heritability was observed for all traits. Lamina lengths at different dates were moderately but significantly correlated. For all traits, QTLs were found and explained between 0·08 and 0·44 of phenotypic variance. Although different leaf length QTLs were found at different dates, linkage groups two, four and seven were particularly important.
Collaborative technologies in knowledge telework: an exploratory study
Authors: Bélanger France , Allport Christopher D.
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Knowledge workers in distributed work environments require substantial communication with colleagues and supervisors to perform their work activities, and collaborative technologies, like groupware, continue to improve the potential for such communication. This study investigates how an improvement in collaborative technology among a group of knowledge teleworkers impacts their communication patterns. The study focuses on one communication‐based work process: knowledge sharing. The research involves a 6‐month exploratory longitudinal case study of a group of teleworkers where a new groupware technology was implemented. The results indicate that while there are fewer instances of communication among group members after the technology is implemented, communication becomes more centralized around the district manager. These results suggest that increased collaborative technologies result in an adjustment between explicit and tacit knowledge sharing, as the availability of a centralized and updateable database reduces workgroup communications. However, consistent with structuration theory, telework group members do use communication technologies to address their most apparent needs and concerns. Other potential explanations and implications of these findings are discussed.
Free fatty acids and oxidative changes of a Spanish soft cheese (PDO ‘Torta del Casar’) during ripening
Authors: Delgado Francisco José , González‐Crespo José , Ladero Luis , Cava Ramón , Ramírez Rosario
Published: August 2009

Free fatty acids (FFA) and lipid and protein oxidation changes during ripening were studied in Torta del Casar cheese. This cheese with protected designation of origin (PDO) is made from raw ewe milk and uses vegetable rennet. Cheeses were analysed at four different stages of ripening at 1, 30, 60 and 90 days. Most FFA significantly increased throughout maturation, except valeric and margaric acids. Acetic acid content increased during ripening and was the most abundant FFA in Torta del Casar cheese at the end of ripening. Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) showed an important increase throughout maturation, especially butyric, isovaleric and isobutyric acids. Lipid oxidation values significantly increased during the first month and decreased in the last 2 months of maturation; however, protein oxidation did not significantly change during ripening. Changes in FFA, especially SCFA, could have great importance in Torta del Casar cheese final characteristics; however, oxidative reactions did not play an important role.
The use of an antimicrobial citrus vapour to reduce Enterococcus sp. on salad products
Authors: Fisher K. , Phillips C. , McWatt L.
Published: August 2009

Citrus essential oils (EOs) have an antimicrobial effect against a range of food poisoning causing bacteria. A blend of citrus EO vapour against vancomycin resistant (VRE) and vancomycin susceptible (VSE) Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis on lettuce and cucumber was assessed. Food samples were subjected to the vapour for 45 s in a 600‐L vapour chamber at 25 °C. Microbial counts were taken directly after the foodstuff was removed and at various times thereafter. Results show that the initial load per sample was reduced by 3.69–4.14 log10 and 3.80–4.40 log10 for VRE and VSE strains, respectively; reductions were maintained for 6 h. Sensory panel testing demonstrated that there were no significant changes in taste. Growing demand from changes in legislation, consumer trends and increasing isolation of antibiotic resistant pathogens, means that alternatives to chemical‐based bactericides need to be found and the antimicrobial citrus vapour may provide the answer.
Optimisation study of gum extraction from Basil seeds (Ocimum basilicum L.)
Authors: Razavi Seyed M. A. , Mortazavi Seyed Ali , Matia‐Merino Lara , Hosseini‐Parvar Seyed H. , Motamedzadegan Ali , Khanipour Elham
Published: August 2009

Basil seed (Ocimum basilicum L.) is cultivated in large quantities in different regions of Iran. This seed has reasonable amounts of gum with good functional properties which is comparable with commercial food hydrocolloids. A central composite rotatable design was applied to evaluate the effects of temperature, pH and water/seed ratio on the yield, apparent viscosity and protein content of water‐extracted Basil seed gum. All of the variables significantly (P < 0.05) affected the extraction yield, whereas the effect of water/seed ratio on apparent viscosity and the effects of pH and water/seed ratio on protein content were not significant (P > 0.05). Numerical optimisation determined the optimum extraction conditions based on the highest yield and viscosity and the lowest protein content as being temperature 68.71 °C, pH 8.09 and water/seed ratio 65.98:1. Power law model well described non‐Newtonian pseudoplastic behaviour of BSG. Flow behaviour index (n) and consistency index (K) of 1% crude and pure BSG samples were 0.306, 0.283 and 17.46, 20.22 Pa sn, respectively.
Quality changes in soup from deboned chicken frames at refrigerated (4 ± 1 °C) and frozen (−18 ± 1 °C) storage
Authors: Gadekar Yogesh P. , Anjaneyulu Anne S. R. , Thomas Rajendran , Mendiratta Sanjod Kr. , Kondaiah Napa
Published: August 2009

Chicken soup was made from the broth collected after the pressure cooking of deboned chicken frames (bones). The quality of stored chicken soup (S1) was compared with the soup prepared from the stored chicken broth (S2) at refrigerated (4 ± 1 °C) and frozen (−18 ± 1 °C) storage up to 12 and 90 days, respectively. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values and microbial counts were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in stored soup (S1) compared with fresh soup (S2). Psychrotrophs and coliforms were not detected. Appearance and odour scores of broth were satisfactory throughout the storage. Sensory attributes were rated better for fresh soup (S2) made from stored broth than stored soup (S1) but all the attributes were decreased with increasing storage period. The stored soup was acceptable up to 9 and 90 days in refrigeration and frozen storage respectively, while the soup made from refrigerated stored broth was acceptable for 12 days.
Using mild heat treatment to improve the bioactive related compounds on fresh‐cut green bell peppers
Authors: Sgroppo Sonia C. , Pereyra María V.
Published: August 2009

Bioactive related compounds of fresh‐cut green bell peppers (Capsicum annuum, L.) exposed to water immersion at 55 °C and 60 °C per 180 s were evaluated during storage. Their sensorial and microbial quality, acidity, sugar and chlorophyll content were also determined. Beneficial effects on sensorial attributes were observed in treated peppers with longer shelf life than in non‐treated ones (5 days at 4 °C, 2 days at 10 °C). At the end of storage at 4 °C, phenols increased to 11% and quercetin and antioxidant capacity were retained, but in control peppers ascorbic acid dropped 16%. At 10 °C, there was no change in phenols; quercetin, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity decreased (15%, 13% and 10% respectively) in treated peppers. Changes were more noticeable in non‐treated products (phenols increased 21%, ascorbic acid decreased 28% and antioxidant activity 20%). Mild heat treatments applied to fresh‐cut peppers seemed to preserve some of their bioactive compounds during storage.
Improvement in the quality of used sunflower oil by organic and inorganic adsorbents
Authors: Farag Radwan S. , Basuny Amany M. M.
Published: August 2009

The objective of the present work was to improve the quality of used sunflower oil. Inorganic (normal and modified silica gel) and organic (normal and modified cellulose powder) adsorbents were used as regeneration agents. Sunflower oil was heated at 180 ± 5 °C, 4 h every day for five consecutive days. The adsorbent materials were individually added to use sunflower oil at 2% level (w/v). Some physico‐chemical characteristics were measured to assess the quality of treated‐used sunflower oil. The results indicated that all adsorbents under study were effective in improving the overall quality of used sunflower oil. Normal silica gel with small particle size permitted high adsorbing capacity and close to that induced with Magnesol XL which is used commercially in a large scale to improve oil quality. The polarity of the adsorbent substance had a remarkable effect on removing the secondary oxidation products of used sunflower oil. The mode of adsorbents action is discussed.
Use of some agricultural waste hull ashes for the regeneration of fried sunflower oil
Authors: Farag Radwan S. , Basuny Amany M. M. , Arafat Shaker M. , Arafa Sahar A.
Published: August 2009

The present study was aimed at improving the quality of fried sunflower oil. Synthetic (Magnesol XL), natural (diatomaceous earth) and hull ashes of rice, wheat and barley (agriculture plant wastes) were used to adsorb the oxidation products of fried sunflower oil. The mineral pattern (Si, Mg, Ca, Fe, Al, Mn and Cu) of the aforementioned substances were determined. The physico‐chemical properties [refractive index, viscosity, colour, smoke point, acid value, peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, conjugated dienes and trienes, polar content, polymer content and oxidised fatty acids] of non‐fried, fried and fried‐treated sunflower oil were determined. The frying process was carried out at 180 °C ± 5 °C for 20 h, 4 h heating cycle per day for five consecutive days. The fried sunflower oil was treated with synthetic, natural and agricultural hull ashes at 105 °C for 15 min. The results indicate that Magnesol XL, diatomaceous earth, rice hull ash, wheat hull ash and barley hull ash contained Si + Mg + Mn, Si + Mn + Ca, Si + Mn, Si +Mn and Mn + Si as the basic metals, respectively. Frying of sunflower oil led to significant increase in refractive index, viscosity, colour, smoke point, acid value, peroxide value, TBA value, conjugated dienes and trienes, polar content, polymer content, and oxidised fatty acids and decrease in iodine value. Treatments of fried sunflower oil with the aforementioned substances greatly improved the quality of fried oil. Under the present experimental conditions all adsorbing substances performed similarly in removing the fried sunflower oil oxidation products.
Comfort as a basic need in hospitalized patients in Iran: a hermeneutic phenomenology study
Authors: Yousefi Hojatollah , Abedi Heidar Ali , Yarmohammadian Mohammad Hossein , Elliott Doug
Published: August 2009

Title.  Comfort as a basic need in hospitalized patients in Iran: a hermeneutic phenomenology study.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to explore the comfort experiences of hospitalized patients during their admission to medical–surgical wards in an Iranian hospital.

Background.  Comfort has various definitions, ranging from a basic human need, to a process, function or an outcome of nursing. As comfort is a substantive need throughout life in health and illness, providing comfort is a major function and challenge for holistic nursing care.

Method.  This hermeneutic phenomenological study was conducted between July 2006 and April 2007 in six medical–surgical wards of one of a university hospital in Iran. Data were generated with 22 participants (16 hospitalized patients and six nurses), using in‐depth interviews to capture their detailed experiences of comfort. Analysis based on the framework of Diekelmann enabled data interpretation and elaboration of shared themes.

Findings.  One constitutive pattern, ‘Comfort: a need of hospitalized patients’ and four related themes – A friend in hospital, Relief of suffering within a calm environment, Seeking God, and Presence among family – were identified in the data.

Conclusion.  These findings offer unique insight for planning and implementing appropriate clinical practices in Iran, especially in caring for Muslim patients. Two major implications are to: (1) consider comfort criteria during nursing assessment and planning of care during a patient’s hospitalization and (2) note that Shiite people in particular are more comfortable and feel better when they are able to follow their religious principles.
Does self‐efficacy mediate the relationship between transformational leadership behaviours and healthcare workers’ sleep quality? A longitudinal study
Authors: Munir Fehmidah , Nielsen Karina
Published: August 2009

Title.  Does self‐efficacy mediate the relationship between transformational leadership behaviours and healthcare workers’ sleep quality? A longitudinal study.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to investigate the longitudinal relationship between transformational leadership behaviours and employees’ sleep quality, and the mediating effects of self‐efficacy.

Background.  Although there is evidence for the influential role of transformational leadership on health outcomes, researchers have used either attitude outcomes (e.g. job satisfaction) or softer health measures, such as general well‐being. Specific measures of well‐being such as sleep quality have not been used, despite its association with working conditions.

Methods.  A longitudinal design was used to collect data from Danish healthcare workers at time 1 in 2005 (n = 447) and 18 months later at time 2 in 2007 (n = 274). Structural equation modelling was used to investigate the relationships between transformational leadership, self‐efficacy and sleep quality at both time points independently (cross‐sectionally) and longitudinally.

Results.  For all constructs, time 2 measures were influenced by the baseline level. Direct relationships between transformational leadership and sleep quality were found. This relationship was negative cross‐sectionally at both time points, but positive between baseline and follow‐up. The relationship between leadership and employees’ sleep quality was not mediated by employees’ self‐efficacy.

Conclusion.  Our results indicate that training managers in transformational leadership behaviours may have a positive impact on healthcare workers’ health over time. However, more research is needed to examine the mechanisms by which transformational leadership brings about improved sleep quality; self‐efficacy was not found to be the explanation.
Alarm limit settings for early warning systems to identify at‐risk patients
Authors: Burgess Lawrence P.A. , Herdman Tracy Heather , Berg Benjamin W. , Feaster William W. , Hebsur Shashidhar
Published: August 2009

Title.  Alarm limit settings for early warning systems to identify at‐risk patients.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to provide objective data to assist with setting alarm limits for early warning systems.

Background.  Early warning systems are used to provide timely detection of patient deterioration outside of critical care areas, but with little data from the general ward population to guide alarm limit settings. Monitoring systems used in critical care areas are known for excellent sensitivity in detecting signs of deterioration, but give high false positive alarm rates, which are managed with nurses caring for two or fewer patients. On general wards, nurses caring for four or more patients will be unable to manage a high number of false alarms. Physiological data from a general ward population would help to guide alarm limit settings.

Methods.  A dataset of continuous heart rate and respiratory rate data from a general ward population, previously collected from July 2003–January 2006, was analyzed for adult patients with no severe adverse events. Dataset modeling was constructed to analyze alarm frequency at varying heart rate and respiratory rate alarm limits.

Results.  A total of 317 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria, with 780·71 days of total monitoring. Sample alarm settings appeared to optimize false positive alarm rates for the following settings: heart rate high 130–135, low 40–45; respiratory rate high 30–35, low 7–8. Rates for each selected limit can be added to calculate the total alarm frequency, which can be used to judge the impact on nurse workflow.

Conclusion.  Alarm frequency data will assist with evidence‐based configuration of alarm limits for early warning systems.
Factors associated with lower quality of life among patients receiving palliative care
Authors: Chui Ying Yu , Kuan Hau Yee , Fu Idy C.Y. , Liu Rico K.Y. , Sham Mau Kwong , Lau Kam Shing
Published: August 2009

Title.  Factors associated with lower quality of life among patients receiving palliative care.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to (1) assess the quality of life (QoL) and physical functioning status of patients diagnosed with advanced cancer and receiving palliative care; (2) determine if there was a statistically significant relationship between their physical functioning and QoL and (3) identify the demographic and disease‐related variables related to their QoL.

Background.  Achieving the best possible QoL is a major goal in palliative care. However, research findings about the relationship between QoL and demographic variables have been inconsistent.

Method.  Three hundred patients with advanced cancer were recruited from four district hospitals in Hong Kong between February 2005 and July 2006. Their QoL and physical functioning status were assessed by face‐to‐face interview, using the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (Hong Kong version) and the Palliative Performance Scale respectively.

Results.  Participants reported reduced ambulation, inability to perform hobbies or housework, and the need for occasional assistance in self‐care (mean: 64·6 out of 100, sd: 19·3, range: 20–100). QoL was fair (mean: 6·2 out of 10, sd: 1·5, range: 0·9–10). There was a weak positive association between physical functioning and QoL scores. Multiple regression analysis showed that patients who were older, female, had ever been married, or had higher physical functioning tended to have better QoL.

Conclusion.  More could be done in symptom and psychosocial management to improve patients’ QoL, in particular for those who are younger, male or single, or who have lower physical functioning.
Health‐related quality of life after coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Rantanen Anja , Tarkka Marja‐Terttu , Kaunonen Marja , Tarkka Matti , Sintonen Harri , Koivisto Anna‐Maija , Åstedt‐Kurki Päivi
Published: August 2009

Title.  Health‐related quality of life after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Aim.  The purpose of this study was to monitor changes in health‐related quality of life and to identify associated factors among patients having coronary artery bypass grafting and their significant others.

Background.  Heart disease and its treatment affects the lives of both patients and their significant others, and the early stage of recovery from surgery causes particular anxiety for both.

Method.  In this longitudinal study, three sets of questionnaire data were collected 1, 6 and 12 months after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery from patients and significant others at one university hospital in Finland in 2001–2005. We recruited all patients who had been admitted for elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery during the period specified. The data consisted of the responses from those patients and significant others who had completed all three questionnaires and for whom patient–significant other pairs existed (n = 163).

Findings.  Patients’ and their significant others’ health‐related quality of life was at its lowest one month after the operation and improved during follow‐up. The change in the mean health‐related quality of life score differed between patients and significant others; the improvement in the patients’ health‐related quality of life was greater than that in the significant others. Neither the background variables used in the study nor social support were associated with change in health‐related quality of life.

Conclusion.  Further research is needed to identify factors explaining the change in health‐related quality of life to develop interventions to support patients and significant others.
Relationship of working mothers’ parenting style and consistency to early childhood development: a longitudinal investigation
Authors: Tong Lian , Shinohara Ryoji , Sugisawa Yuka , Tanaka Emiko , Maruyama Akiko , Sawada Yuko , Ishi Yukiko , Anme Tokie
Published: August 2009

Title.  Relationship of working mothers’ parenting style and consistency to early childhood development: a longitudinal investigation.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a longitudinal study of the relationship of working mothers’ parenting style to their children’s social competence and vocabulary/motor/intellectual development.

Background.  With an increasing number of women choosing to remain in the workforce after starting a family, there has been a concomitant increase in use of non‐parental childcare facilities to help look after the child while the mother is at work. This increase in non‐parental care has led to a dramatic change in the traditional child‐rearing environment.

Methods.  Long‐term investigations were conducted over a period of 2 years in 41 Japanese government‐licensed childcare facilities. Child development was evaluated by childcare professionals and parenting style was assessed by questionnaire. A total of 504 children and their mothers participated in the study. Data collection was carried out in 2004 and 2006.

Findings.  We found that the changes in parenting style were statistically significantly related to children’s development after 2 years. For instance, changes in the parent‐child playing routine contributed to the child’s social competence (odds ratio = 11·088). Variation in working mothers’ disciplinary practices was also associated with children’s vocabulary development after 2 years (odds ratio = 2·246).

Conclusion.  Working mothers should increase interactions with their children in their free time to reduce the risk of developmental delay. Daily childcare support provided by family members or social organizations for long‐term working mothers is helpful in mediating the negative relationship of mothers’ working with children’s development.
The Information Matters Project: health, medicines and self‐care choices made by children, young people and their families: information to support decision‐making. Study protocol
Authors: Williams Anne , Noyes Jane ,   On behalf of the Information Matters Project (IMP) Team
Published: August 2009

Title.  The Information Matters Project: health, medicines and self‐care choices made by children, young people and their families: information to support decision‐making. Study protocol.

Aim.  This protocol outlines a study to address knowledge gaps about the types and formats of children’s information which could support decision‐making in respect of health, medicines and self‐care.

Background.  Partnership between the public and health services is seen as the key to a healthier society and cost‐effective care. A requirement of participative models is the provision of high quality information. Little information is available specifically for children, young people and their families, and little evidence concerning types and formats which could support decision‐making.

Methods.  A mixed‐method study will be conducted through three inter‐related phases. Tracer‐conditions will be used to focus the research, with a specific, although not exclusive, emphasis on medicines. Phase 1: Context: systematic literature review and critical discourse analysis of currently available children’s information. Phase 2: In‐depth study: we will conduct focus groups, semi‐structured interviews and non‐participant observation to address a range of questions about what children think about currently available information sources (focus groups), what information children and their families need and how and when they and healthcare professionals use information sources to support decision‐making concerning choice (interviews and observation). Phase 3: data synthesis and comparative analysis.

Discussion.  Outcomes include the types, formats and characteristics of information likely to support children’s decision‐making and choices predominantly around medicines and clinical options.