bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and some potential applications of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seeds and seed oil
Authors: Devshony S. , Eteshola E. , Shani A.
Published: August 2007

The seeds of four date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars, Dekel Noor, Zahidi, Medjool and Halawy, grown in the Arava Valley of southern Israel were analyzed for their inorganic and some organic constituents. The following average values were obtained for the four cultivars on a dry‐weight basis: protein 5.60%, oil 8.15%, fiber 16.13%, and ash 1.13%. Analysis of the mineral elements in the ash gave the following average values: Ca, 1.55%; Na, 0.97%; Mg, 8.07%; K, 27.60%; Fe, 0.73%; Cu, 0.13% and Mn, 0.08%. The oil exhibited the following characteristics (average for the four cultivars): acid value ∼1.04, iodine value 49.5, saponification value 221.0, and unsaponifiable matter 0.8%. Gas‐liquid chromatography revealed that the major unsaturated fatty acid was oleic acid (42.3%), while the main saturated fatty acid was lauric (21.8%). Myristic, palmitic and linoleic acids were also found, average values being 10.9, 9.6 and 13.7%, respectively. Potential uses for date seed oil are considered for cosmetic, pharmaceutical and related specialty products, and to a lesser degree for food products.
Cocoa butter‐like fats from domestic oils
Authors: Feuge R. O. , Lovegren Norman V. , Cosler H. B.
Published: August 2007

Technical considerations indicate that cocoa butter‐like mixtures can be prepared readily by the esterification of mixtures of oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, or the interesterification of their glycerides, followed by the fractional crystallization of the reaction products.

Using the indicated procedures, three cocoa butter‐like fractions were prepared. One consisted essentially of oleopalmitostearins, another consisted essentially of oleodistearins, while the third consisted mostly of oleodipalmitins.

On the basis of softening point curves, the oleopalmitostearin product was most compatible with cocoa butter, the oleodistearin product was the next most compatible, while the oleodipalmitin product was least compatible. When mixed with cocoa butter, all three of the products produced consistencyvs. temperature curves whose shapes closely resembled that of cocoa butter. All of the mixtures softened over a short temperature interval though the actual temperature at which softening occurred varied. The several products are believed to be satisfactory cocoa butter replacements.

Another cocoa butter‐like fat was prepared by the interesterification of 70 parts of completely hydrogenated cottonseed oil and 30 parts of olive oil and genated cottonseed oil and 30 parts of olive oil and the subsequent fractionation of the reaction product.
Observations on the permanganate oxidation of unsaturated esters
Authors: Eshelman L. R. , Hammond Earl G.
Published: August 2007

Various procedures for the permanganate oxidation of fats have been tried on purified model fatty acid esters. It was found that all the procedures tested except Kartha's procedure caused considerable loss of ester groups. Kartha's procedure, on the contrary, caused ester groups to be synthesized during the oxidation. It was concluded that none of the oxidation procedures that were tried is a very reliable method for the study of glyceride structure in fats. However the limitations which were discovered in Kartha's procedure could not be shown to invalidate Kartha's hypothesis of glyceride structure.
Reactions of conjugated fatty acids. VI. Selenium catalysis, a method for preparing diels‐alder adducts from cis,trans‐octadecadienoic acid
Authors: Teeter H. M. , Bell E. W. , O'Donnell J. L. , Danzig M. J. , Cowan J. C.
Published: August 2007

Adducts of dienophiles and alkali‐conjugated safflower fatty acids containing conjugated linoleic acid in thecis,trans form were prepared by heating the reactants in the presence of selenium as a catalyst. The products appeared to be identical to those prepared fromtrans,trans conjugated linoleic acid so that isomerization ofcis‐trans totrans,trans acids is eliminated as a separate step. Although yields of pure product were lower than desired because of difficulties in removing selenium, yields of crude adducts ranged from 64–82%. The adducts obtained could be epoxidized with hydrogen peroxide and an ion‐exchange resin as catalyst in 80–93% yield or with peracetic acid in 89–98% yield.
Variations in crystal structure within certain isologous series of long‐chain compounds. A review of some basic features
Authors: Lutton E. S.
Published: August 2007

Crystal structures of many long‐chain compounds appear classifiable intoalpha, beta prime, orbeta cross‐sectional types, in which, respectively, the rows of parallel chains have axes randomly oriented, identically oriented within a row but with orientation alternating among the rows, or identically oriented throughout. Members of two isologous series are compared with particular regard to the cross‐sectional type. The series are (I) methyl palmitate (P), ethylene glyco dipalmitate (PP), glycerol tripalmitate (PPP), and m‐erythritol tetrapalmitate (PPPP); and (II) the corresponding stearates. The following behavior is observed—P:beta prime; PP:beta prime; PPP:alpha, beta prime, beta; PPPP:beta prime, beta; and similarly for the stearate series but with an additionalalpha form for SSSS. Other compounds are considered with respect to tendency to form various cross‐sectional types.
Bioequivalence of Docosahexaenoic Acid from Different Algal Oils in Capsules and in a DHA‐Fortified Food
Authors: Arterburn Linda M. , Oken Harry A. , Hoffman James P. , Bailey‐Hall Eileen , Chung Gloria , Rom Dror , Hamersley Jacqueline , McCarthy Deanna
Published: August 2007

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a long‐chain omega‐3 fatty acid, is important for eye and brain development and ongoing visual, cognitive, and cardiovascular health. Unlike fish‐sourced oils, the bioavailability of DHA from vegetarian‐sourced (algal) oils has not been formally assessed. We assessed bioequivalence of DHA oils in capsules from two different algal strains versus bioavailability from an algal‐DHA‐fortified food. Our 28‐day randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel group study compared bioavailability of (a) two different algal DHA oils in capsules (“DHASCO‐T” and “DHASCO‐S”) at doses of 200, 600, and 1,000 mg DHA per day (n = 12 per group) and of (b) an algal‐DHA‐fortified food (n = 12). Bioequivalence was based on changes in plasma phospholipid and erythrocyte DHA levels. Effects on arachidonic acid (ARA), docosapentaenoic acid‐n‐6 (DPAn‐6), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were also determined. Both DHASCO‐T and DHASCO‐S capsules produced equivalent DHA levels in plasma phospholipids and erythrocytes. DHA response was dose‐dependent and linear over the dose range, plasma phospholipid DHA increased by 1.17, 2.28 and 3.03 g per 100 g fatty acid at 200, 600, and 1,000 mg dose, respectively. Snack bars fortified with DHASCO‐S oil also delivered equivalent amounts of DHA on a DHA dose basis. Adverse event monitoring revealed an excellent safety and tolerability profile. Two different algal oil capsule supplements and an algal oil‐fortified food represent bioequivalent and safe sources of DHA.
Politicisation, professionalisation, or both? Hungary's civil service system
Authors: Gajduschek György
Published: August 2007

This paper aims to determine where the Hungarian civil service system might be situated on an imaginary merit system – spoils system scale. In doing so, the Hungarian system is analyzed from two angles. Firstly, regulation is scrutinized as it is manifested in the Civil Service Act. Secondly, practice is examined relying on available statistical and survey data. The author argues that, contrary to the conclusions of most of scholarly publications, the Hungarian Law is a pseudo-merit system law, not in fact preventing the prevalence of a spoils system. Practice generally reveals, however, features of a modestly politicized system with signs of increasing professionalization. The last two sections investigate the potential explanations for these somewhat surprising findings and whether the findings for the Hungarian civil service may be generalized to some or most of the Central and East European countries.
Physiological effects of dietary fructans extracted fromAgave tequilanaGto. andDasylirionspp.
Authors: Urías-Silvas Judith E. , Cani Patrice D. , Delmée Evelyne , Neyrinck Audrey , López Mercedes G. , Delzenne Nathalie M.
Published: August 2007

Recent data reported that inulin-type fructans extracted from chicory roots regulate appetite and lipid/glucose metabolism, namely, by promoting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) production in the colon. TheAgavegenus growing in different regions of Mexico also contains important amounts of original fructans, with interesting nutritional and technological properties, but only few data report their physiological effect when added in the diet. Therefore, we decided to evaluate in parallel the effect of supplementation with 10 % agave or chicory fructans on glucose and lipid metabolism in mice. Male C57Bl/6J mice were fed a standard (STD) diet or diet supplemented with Raftilose P95 (RAF), fructans fromAgave tequilanaGto. (TEQ) or fructans fromDasylirionspp. (DAS) for 5 weeks. The body weight gain and food intake in mice fed fructans-containing diets were significantly lower than the ones of mice fed the STD diet, TEQ leading to the lowest value. Serum glucose and cholesterol were similarly lower in all fructans-fed groups than in the STD group and correlated to body weight gain. Only RAF led to a significant decrease in serum TAG. As previously shown for RAF, the supplementation with agave fructans (TEQ and DAS) induced a higher concentration of GLP-1 and its precursor, proglucagon mRNA, in the different colonic segments, thus suggesting that fermentable fructans from different botanical origin and chemical structure are able to promote the production of satietogenic/incretin peptides in the lower part of the gut, with promising effects on glucose metabolism, body weight and fat mass development.
Nutrition, ageing and ill health
Authors: Gariballa S. E. , Sinclair A. J.
Published: August 2007

There are physical, mental, social and environmental changes which take place with ageing; for example, decreased physical activity, increase in body fat, decrease in lean body mass and consequently decreased energy intake may be associated with physiological functions that affect metabolism, nutrient intake, physical activity and risk of disease. There are now many studies which have found that undernutrition is prevalent and often unrecognized in patients admitted to hospitals and institutions. There is also evidence which links protein-energy undernutrition or its markers with clinical outcomes in acute and non-acute hospital settings and that nutritional supplements can improve outcomes in some of these settings. However, most clinically-available nutrition screening instruments lack sensitivity and specificity, and abnormal nutritional indicators may simply reflect effects of age, functional disability, or severe underlying disease. Thus, causal relationship cannot be assumed without a sufficiently powerful intervention study which adequately adjusts for the effects of non-nutritional factors, such as the number and severity of co-morbid conditions on clinical outcome.
Development of macronutrient composition of very preterm human milk
Authors: Maas Yolande G. H. , Gerritsen Jeanet , Hart Augustinus A. M. , Hadders-Algra Mijna , Ruijter Jan M. , Tamminga Pieter , Mirmiran Majid , Spekreijse Henk
Published: August 2007

The effects of gestational age at delivery (GA), postnatal age (PNA) and post-menstrual age (PMA=PNA+GA, an indicator of autonomous developmental processes not affected by the moment of birth) on macronutrient composition of very preterm milk were studied. Total N, fat, lactose and carbohydrate concentrations, energy density and 24 h volume were determined in 282 24 h milk samples collected at weekly intervals (days 7–55 of lactation) from seventy-nine women delivering their babies between 25 and 29 weeks of gestation. GA related differences were found for carbohydrate concentration only: carbohydrate concentration was lower with increasing GA. PNA was related to a decrease in total N and an increase in lactose concentration. PMA was not related to milk composition. Our data indicate that PNA strongly influences the development of the composition of very preterm human milk, while GA affects carbohydrate content with a negligible effect on the nutritional value of the milk. We conclude that in accordance with current opinion in paediatrics, human milk is the best source of nutrients even for very preterm (< 30 weeks GA) infants.
Infants in Trinidad excrete more 5-L-oxoproline (L-pyroglutamic acid) in urine than infants in England: an environmental not ethnic difference
Authors: Lenton C. , Ali Z. , Persaud C. , Jackson A.A.
Published: August 2007

The demand for glycine to satisfy normal growth during early life is considerable and most has to be made endogenously. The extent to which adequate glycine is available can be assessed by measuring the urinary excretion of 5-L-oxoproline. The excretion of 5-L-oxoproline at 6 weeks of age for infants in Trinidad of African, Indian or mixed parentage (398 μmol/mmol creatinine) was significantly greater than for infants born in England of Caucasian parentage (194 μmol/mmol creatinine). There was no relationship between 5-L-oxoproline excretion and either sex or pattern of feeding. There were significant inverse relationships between 5-L-oxoproline/creatinine and birth weight, and head circumference either at birth or 6 weeks of age, suggesting that limited availability of glycine is associated with poorer growth before and after birth. For a group of infants born in England of Indian parentage, excretion of 5-L-oxoproline (155 μmol/mmol creatinine) was not different to infants of Caucasian parentage, but significantly less than infants born in Trinidad. The demonstration that 5-L-oxoproline/creatinine was similar in infants born in England, regardless of parentage, shows that the differences between England and Trinidad are related to environment and are unlikely to be accounted for by genetic differences or ethnicity.
Vitamin A status does not influence neopterin production during illness or health in South African children
Authors: Filteau Suzanne M. , Raynes John G. , Simmank Karin , Wagstaff Lucy A.
Published: August 2007

Excessive interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production appears to be a primary immunological lesion in vitamin A-deficient experimental animals but comparable data from humans is lacking. We investigated IFN-γ production in South African children by measurement of urinary excretion of neopterin, a product of IFN-γ-activated monocytes or macrophages. Preschool children were examined during an acute inflammatory illness resulting from accidental ingestion of kerosene and they and a neighbourhood control child were examined 3 months later when well. Vitamin A status was assessed by the modified relative dose response (MRDR) test at 3 months and serum retinol and acute phase proteins were measured at both time points. Urinary neopterin was measured for forty cases in hospital, forty-six cases after recovery, and forty-one controls. Significantly increased neopterin excretion was seen following kerosene ingestion and in association with raised serum acute phase protein concentrations. There was no relationship between neopterin excretion at either time point and vitamin A status as assessed by MRDR test. Urinary neopterin was negatively correlated with serum retinol but no significant relationship was observed when acute phase protein concentrations were included in a multiple regression, suggesting the correlation was secondary to illness-induced changes in serum retinol. The results indicate that, contrary to what is observed in rodents under experimental conditions, poor vitamin A status is not associated with altered regulation of IFN-γ production in children.
Food-based dietary guidelines – the Austrian perspective
Authors: Koenig Juergen , Elmadfa Ibrahim
Published: August 2007

Presently, no national dietary guidelines — neither food- nor nutrient-based — exist for Austria. Usually, the recommendations of the German Society of Nutrition are used instead. The determination of national characteristics of nutritional behaviour and food consumption can reveal starting-points for the improvement of nutritional status in Austria. Seven-day weighed records (children and adolescents, n = 2.173) and 24-h-recalls (adults, n = 2.488) were used for the evaluation of nutrient intake and food consumption. For a sub-sample of children and adolescents, results from laboratory assessment of biomarkers were also available (n = 1.400). Based on fat intake, the age groups were divided into low fat intake (less than 25th percentile = 28–34 % fat energy) and high-fat eaters (greater than 75th percentile = 38–45 % fat energy). Approximately 75 % of the Austrian population have fat intakes above 30 % of energy intake, older age groups having a higher prevalence of high fat intakes. Intakes of saturated fatty acids reach 40–46 % of total fat. The usual intake of dietary fibre in the Austrian population is between 17–21 g/d; some individuals are able to achieve the recommended intakes for dietary fibre, but do not represent a significant majority of the population. The mean intakes of fruits are clearly higher in children and adolescents (10 % of total food intake) than in adults (2–6 %). Differences in the intake of selected nutrients in foods between low and high fat consumers, unexpectedly, did not result in different plasma concentrations of cholesterol, nor did it result in differences in fat soluble vitamins. Therefore, one of the primary dietary guidelines for Austria should be the reduction of fat consumption, which is also associated with increasing intakes of fruits and vegetables, increasing intakes of dietary fibre and decreasing intakes of cholesterol.
Clues for the development of food-based dietary guidelines: how are dietary targets being achieved by UK consumers?
Authors: Wearne Steven J. , Day Michael J. L.
Published: August 2007

Expert scientific advice to the UK Government has been translated into eight general dietary guidelines, which form the core of population-based dietary advice in the UK and are supplemented by a food selection guide showing the types and proportions of foods needed for a balanced and healthy diet. Data from the Dietary and Nutritional Survey of British Adults were used to identify statistically significant differences between subgroups of the study population that met, or failed to meet, population nutritional goals for intakes of total fat, saturated fat and dietary fibre. Several eating habits — including greater consumption of starchy foods (particularly wholemeal varieties), greater consumption of fruit and the substitution of reduced-fat milk for whole-fat milk — were shared by the subgroups that met each of the nutritional goals. This analysis provides clues for any future refinement of food-based dietary guidelines.
Perceived barriers in trying to eat healthier – results of a pan-EU consumer attitudinal survey
Authors: Kearney J. M. , McElhone S.
Published: August 2007

Information on the perceived difficulties in trying to eat a healthier diet is important in assisting those in nutrition education devise more effective programmes. The objective of this study was to determine the main perceived barriers that people have in trying to eat a healthy diet in the 15 member states of the European Union (EU). A cross-sectional study in which quota-controlled nationally representative samples of approximately 1000 adults (15 years upwards) from each member state completed a face-to-face interview-assisted questionnaire. The most frequently mentioned perceived barriers to healthy eating concerned time and taste factors. Time-related factors were more important for younger respondents and those with a higher level of education, who appear to regard taste as being compromised by healthy eating. Variation exists both between member states and between demographic groups in the frequency of barriers mentioned. A lack of knowledge about healthy eating was not selected by many as an important barrier. A major obstacle to nutrition education is the fact that 70 % of EU subjects believe their diets are already healthy. It may be that nutrition educators should concentrate on showing consumers how to evaluate their own diet appropriately in terms of fat, fibre, and fruit and vegetables. Food-based guidelines may be useful in this endeavour.
ABORTION-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG NIGERIAN WOMEN
Authors: BANKOLE AKINRINOLA , SEDGH GILDA , OYE-ADENIRAN BONIFACE A. , ADEWOLE ISAAC F. , HUSSAIN RUBINA , SINGH SUSHEELA
Published: August 2007

This study used data from a community-based survey to examine women’s experiences of abortion in Nigeria. Fourteen per cent of respondents reported that they had ever tried to terminate a pregnancy, and 10% had obtained an abortion. The majority of women who sought an abortion did so early in the pregnancy. Forty-two per cent of women who obtained an abortion used the services of a non-professional provider, a quarter experienced complications and 9% sought treatment for complications from their abortions. Roughly half of the women who obtained an abortion used a method other than D&C or MVA. The abortion prevalence and conditions under which women sought abortions varied by women’s socio-demographic characteristics. Because abortion is illegal in Nigeria except to save the woman’s life, many women take significant risks to terminate unwanted pregnancies. Reducing the incidence of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion can significantly impact the reproductive health of women in Nigeria.
The effects of temperature on the distribution and establishment ofEchinoparyphium recurvatummetacercariae inLymnaea peregra
Authors: Morley N.J. , Adam M.E. , Lewis J.W.
Published: August 2007

The establishment and distribution ofEchinoparyphium recurvatummetacercariae in the second intermediate host,Lymnaea peregra, were investigated at a temperature range of 5–29°C. Preliminary studies on the survival and infectivity ofE. recurvatumcercariae showed that both parameters were temperature dependent. No cercarial transmission occurred at 5 or 10°C. Nevertheless, the transmission efficiency (1/H0) indicated that transmission was temperature independent in the temperature range 17–25°C and was much lower than in previous studies using this host–parasite system. These differences were attributed to low cercarial densities used in this study. The effect of temperature on encystment site choice (mantle cavity, kidney, pericardium) by metacercariae showed that the mantle cavity was the prime site of encystment, followed by the pericardium and the kidney. Temperatures at the lower and upper ranges (14 and 29°C), however, caused a significant reduction in encystment in the mantle cavity but not in the pericardium or kidney. The importance of cercarial densities, the physiological mechanisms influencing metacercarial distribution and their implications for parasite transmission to the definitive host are discussed.
Nonlinear propagation of dust ion-acoustic waves in a dusty quantum magnetoplasma
Authors: MISRA AMAR P. , SAMANTA S. , CHOWDHURY A. R.
Published: August 2007

A quantum magnetohydrodynamic model is used to investigate the nonlinear propagation of dust ion-acoustic waves in a three-component quantum plasma composed of electrons, positively charged ions and immobile charged dust grains. Using the standard reductive perturbation technique, a Korteweg–de Vries equation is derived containing the quantum statistical and diffraction effects. There exists a critical value of the non-dimensional parameter H, proportional to the quantum diffraction, beyond which the bright soliton propagation is not possible with positive phase velocity. The effects of obliqueness, charged dust impurity and external magnetic field as well as the quantum mechanical effects are investigated numerically on the profiles of the amplitude and width of the solitary waves.
Full formation control for autonomous helicopter groups
Authors: Fahimi Farbod
Published: August 2007

This paper reports the design of sliding-mode control laws for controlling multiple small-sized autonomous helicopters in arbitrary formations. Two control schemes, which are required for defining arbitrary three-dimensional formation meshes, are discussed. In the presented leader–follower formation control schemes, each helicopter only needs to receive motion information from at most two neighboring helicopters. A nonlinear six-degree-of-freedom dynamic model has been used for each helicopter. Four control inputs, the main and the tail rotor thrusts, and the roll and pitch moments, are assumed. Parameter uncertainty in the dynamic model and wind disturbance are considered in designing the controllers. The effectiveness and robustness of these control laws in the presence of parameter uncertainty in the dynamic model and wind disturbances are demonstrated by computer simulations.
The epidemiology of melioidosis in the Balimo region of Papua New Guinea
Authors: WARNER J. M. , PELOWA D. B. , GAL D. , RAI G. , MAYO M. , CURRIE B. J. , GOVAN B. , SKERRATT L. F. , HIRST R. G.
Published: August 2007

The distribution ofBurkholderia pseudomalleiwas determined in soil collected from a rural district in Papua New Guinea (PNG) where melioidosis had recently been described, predominately affecting children. In 274 samples, 2·6% tested culture-positive forB. pseudomallei. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis usingSpeI digests and rapid polymorphic DNA PCR with five primers demonstrated a single clone amongst clinical isolates and isolates cultured from the environment that was commonly used by children from whom the clinical isolates were derived. We concluded that individuals in this region most probably acquired the organism through close contact with the environment at these sites.Burkholderia thailandensis, a closely relatedBurkholderiasp. was isolated from 5·5% of samples tested, an observation similar to that of melioidosis-endemic areas in Thailand. This is the first report of an environmental reservoir for melioidosis in PNG and confirms the Balimo district in PNG as melioidosis endemic.
Dopaminergic modulation of tracer coupling in a ganglion-amacrine cell network
Authors: MILLS STEPHEN L. , XIA XIAO-BO , HOSHI HIDEO , FIRTH SALLY I. , RICE MARGARET E. , FRISHMAN LAURA J. , MARSHAK DAVID W.
Published: August 2007

Many retinal ganglion cells are coupled via gap junctions with neighboring amacrine cells and ganglion cells. We investigated the extent and dynamics of coupling in one such network, the OFF α ganglion cell of rabbit retina and its associated amacrine cells. We also observed the relative spread of Neurobiotin injected into a ganglion cell in the presence of modulators of gap junctional permeability. We found that gap junctions between amacrine cells were closed via stimulation of a D1 dopamine receptor, while the gap junctions between ganglion cells were closed via stimulation of a D2 dopamine receptor. The pairs of hemichannels making up the heterologous gap junctions between the ganglion and amacrine cells were modulated independently, so that elevations of cAMP in the ganglion cell open the ganglion cell hemichannels, while elevations of cAMP in the amacrine cell close its hemichannels. We also measured endogenous dopamine release from an eyecup preparation and found a basal release from the dark-adapted retina of approximately 2 pmol/min during the day. Maximal stimulation with light increased the rate of dopamine release from rabbit retina by 66%. The results suggest that coupling between members of the OFF α ganglion cell/amacrine cell network is differentially modulated with changing levels of dopamine.
Are research priorities in Latin America in line with the nutritional problems of the population?
Authors: Llanos Adolfo , Teresa Oyarzún María , Bonvecchio Anabelle , A Rivera Juan , Uauy Ricardo
Published: August 2007

Objective

Concordance of nutritional research priorities with the related burden of disease is essential to develop cost-effective interventions to address the nutritional problems of populations. The present study aimed to evaluate whether nutrition research priorities are in agreement with the population’s nutritional problems in Latin America.

Design

The epidemiological profile was contrasted with the research priorities and research produced by academic institutions for each country. Qualitative analysis of research production by type of contribution to problem solving was also conducted.

Settings

Nine Latin American countries.

Results

Obesity (high body mass index (BMI)) and micronutrient deficiencies (anaemia) emerged as key problems, followed by stunting, breast-feeding/lactation and low birth weight. Wasting in children and women (low BMI) was uncommon. Concordance of ranked research priorities with the epidemiological profile of the country was generally good for nutrition-related chronic diseases, micronutrients and low birth weight, but not for undernutrition, stunting and breast-feeding. Studies on the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions were uncommon.

Conclusions

The present research agenda insufficiently supports the goal of public health nutrition, which is to ensure the implementation of cost-effective nutrition programmes and policies. A more rational approach to define research priorities is needed.
The Cyborg Astrobiologist: porting from a wearable computer to the Astrobiology Phone-cam
Authors: Bartolo Alexandra , McGuire Patrick C. , Camilleri Kenneth P. , Spiteri Christopher , Borg Jonathan C. , Farrugia Philip J. , Ormö Jens , Gómez-Elvira Javier , Rodriguez-Manfredi José Antonio , Díaz-Martínez Enrique , Ritter Helge , Haschke Robert , Oesker Markus , Ontrup Jörg
Published: August 2007

We have used a simple camera phone to significantly improve an ‘exploration system’ for astrobiology and geology. This camera phone will make it much easier to develop and test computer-vision algorithms for future planetary exploration. We envision that the ‘Astrobiology Phone-cam’ exploration system can be fruitfully used in other problem domains as well.
Permeability of deformable soft aggregated earth materials: From single pore to sample cross section
Authors: Eggers C. G. , Berli M. , Accorsi M. L. , Or D.
Published: August 2007

Fluid flow in deformable porous media is of interest in many areas of hydrology, geophysics, and environmental engineering at scales ranging from individual pore to field scale. With increasing interest in pore‐scale hydraulics, there is also the need to connect microscale with bulk material properties by suitable upscaling. In this study, fluid permeability through a stack of deforming spherical aggregates is described using analytical and finite element (FE) analyses. The permeability of an entire sample cross section was constructed from analytical estimates of individual pore permeabilities and from numerical solution to steady flow through the entire cross section of the sample. Experimental results of pore deformation within a stack of modeling clay aggregates were compared to FE calculations for two‐dimensional cross sections. Results showed that pores within a cubic pack of aggregates deform isotropically even under anisotropic stress conditions. Therefore aggregate arrangement seems to be as important as stress anisotropy to predicting pore shape evolution. Observations of cross sections through a porous sample under compaction showed reduction in both the mean and variance of pore permeability with increasing compaction. Despite predominantly vertical compaction, sample permeability remained nearly isotropic (with only a slight additional decrease in the vertical direction). The Aissen analytical approximation for pore permeability was very similar to numerical results for the entire range of sample deformation, thereby providing a useful tool for estimating sample permeability from images of complex pore cross‐sectional areas.
Strong dependence of cubic ice formation on droplet ammonium to sulfate ratio
Authors: Murray Benjamin J. , Bertram Allan K.
Published: August 2007

We show that the phase of ice that crystallizes in solution droplets, under conditions relevant for the upper troposphere (UT) and tropopause region (typically >188 K), is strongly dependent on the ammonium to sulfate ratio (ASR) of the solute. Droplets of aqueous (NH4)3H(SO4)2 (ASR = 1.5) freeze dominantly to cubic ice over a range of temperatures relevant for the UT and tropopause; whereas aqueous NH4HSO4 (ASR = 1.0) droplets do not freeze dominantly to ice Ic at temperatures relevant for the UT and tropopause region. We also show that the amount of cubic ice formed in the aqueous solution droplets at temperatures below 200 K is independent of droplet size, whereas a size dependence was observed at higher temperatures. The implications of these results for the phase of ice that forms in upper tropospheric ice clouds and the potential impact on climate, water vapor, and ozone are briefly discussed.
Temperature profiles in the MLT region using radar‐meteor trail decay times: Comparison with TIMED/SABER observations
Authors: Kumar Karanam Kishore
Published: August 2007

A method for obtaining the height profiles of the temperature in the MLT region using the radar‐meteor trail decay times is discussed. The present method combines the two existing methods for estimating the temperature‐pressure parameter and the temperature from the meteor radar observations. Using these two measurements, pressure is obtained around 90 km and subsequently the height profile of pressure is obtained in the MLT region by assuming a scale height of 5–7 km. The height profile of the pressure is then used to obtain the temperature profile. The real‐time pressure measurements are used to obtain the temperature profiles. Day‐to‐Day variability of the pressure around 90 km is compared with the monthly mean pressure values of CIRA‐86 model and the temperature/pressure profiles are compared with the TIMED/SABER satellite measurements. The comparison of radar and SABER observations is very encouraging and reinforces the need of real‐time pressure measurements for estimation of temperature from radar‐meteor trail decay time technique.
A laboratory model of the lunar surface potential near boundaries between sunlit and shadowed regions
Authors: Wang X. , Horányi M. , Sternovsky Z. , Robertson S. , Morfill G. E.
Published: August 2007

There is a convincing body of evidence about the mobilization and transport of small dust grains on the lunar surface, and in general, on the surfaces of airless bodies in the solar system. Surfaces in space exposed to plasmas and UV radiation will become charged, and develop a sheath region with an electric field normal to the surface. Typically, this electric field is on the order of a few V/m, too small to lift‐off micron sized grains with an expected charge of a single electron on the lunar surface, for example. Much higher electric fields can be generated due to differential UV charging between neighboring lit and dark surface elements, a common situation during sunset or sunrise. Here we report on a series of experiments to investigate differential photoelectron charging, and the so‐called ‘super‐charging’ effect, related to the moving boundaries between illuminated and dark surfaces.
Seismic tomography of Taiwan: Improved constraints from a dense network of strong motion stations
Authors: Wu Yih‐Min , Chang Chien‐Hsin , Zhao Li , Shyu J. Bruce H. , Chen Yue‐Gau , Sieh Kerry , Avouac Jean‐Philippe
Published: August 2007

In this study, a large collection of 41,141 S‐P times from the untapped records of the Taiwan Strong Motion Instrumentation Program (TSMIP) network is combined with the P and S wave arrival times from the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau Seismic Network (CWBSN) to image the Vp and Vp/Vs structures beneath Taiwan. The records from the 680 TSMIP stations throughout Taiwan in the past 15 years enhance the path coverage and the resolution in the tomography inversions tremendously. Our result for the Vp structure largely confirms previous studies but brings better constraint on the Vp/Vs structure. The colliding Luzon volcanic arc is characterized by a belt of high Vp and highVp/Vs with high seismicity that includes the offshore islands of Lutao and Lanyu and the Coastal Ranges in eastern Taiwan, at the depth between about 13 and 25 km. This highVp/Vs belt can be traced to the subduction zone in the region between Hualian and Ilan in the deeper portion. The shallow portions of the southwestern coastal plain and the Pingtung region are also characterized by a belt of high Vp/Vs with lower seismicity. Most of the events occurred at the base of the high Vp/Vs zones. We suggest that material strength in those regions may be too low to accumulate stress, which may indicate water‐saturated young sediments. Finally, the Central Range region is characterized by a low Vp/Vs belt.
Increased Cortical Cell Loss and Prolonged Hemodynamic Depression after Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice Lacking the IP Receptor for Prostacyclin
Authors: Lundblad Cornelia , Grände Per-Olof , Bentzer Peter
Published: August 2007

Prostacyclin is the major arachidonic acid metabolite of the vascular endothelium and is produced mainly via the cyclooxygenase-2 pathway. By acting on the prostacyclin (IP) receptor on platelets and vascular smooth muscle cells, prostacyclin exerts vasodilatory and antiaggregative/antiadhesive effects. Previous studies have shown that prostacyclin production increases after brain trauma, but the importance of prostacyclin for posttraumatic hemodynamic alterations and neuron survival has not been investigated. This study evaluated if endogenous prostacyclin plays a role in the pathophysiologic process in the brain after brain trauma. This was performed by comparing prostacyclin (IP) receptor-deficient (IP−/−) mice and mice with functional IP receptor (IP+/+) after a controlled cortical injury regarding contusion volume, cerebral blood flow ([14C]iodoantipyrine autoradiography), number of perfused capillaries (fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran fluorescence technique), the transfer constant ( Ki) for [51Cr]EDTA, and brain water content (wet vs dry weight) in the injured and contralateral cortex. Contusion volume was increased in IP−/− mice compared with IP+/+ mice. Three hours after trauma, cortical blood flow was decreased in the injured cortex of both groups and the reduction in blood flow in the cortex of the IP−/− mice persisted from 3 to 24 h, whereas blood flow approached normal values in the IP+/+ mice after 24 h. No differences could be detected between the two genotypes regarding other hemodynamic parameters. We conclude that the prostacyclin IP receptor is beneficial for neuron survival after brain trauma in mice, an effect that may be mediated by improved cortical perfusion.
A poling study of lead zirconate titanate∕polyurethane 0–3 composites
Authors: Lau S. T. , Kwok K. W. , Shin F. G. , Kopf S.
Published: August 2007

0–3 composites of lead zirconate titanate particles dispersed in a thermoplastic elastomer polyurethane matrix were fabricated. The dielectric permittivity and loss of the composite film were measured and compared to the theoretical values. The composites were polarized by the ac fields at different frequencies. With the application of the Sawyer-Tower circuit, the D-E hysteresis loops of the composites can be measured during the poling process. By decreasing the poling frequency, the composite sample shows a larger “remanent” polarization at the same poling field. To evaluate the poling effectiveness, the pyroelectric coefficients of the poled composite samples were measured by a dynamic method.
Eight logic states of tunneling magnetoelectroresistance in multiferroic tunnel junctions
Authors: Yang F. , Tang M. H. , Ye Z. , Zhou Y. C. , Zheng X. J. , Tang J. X. , Zhang J. J. , He J.
Published: August 2007

We propose a theoretical model based on the concept of multiferroic tunnel junction. The model is capable of producing eight different logic states by combining the spin-filter effect and the screening of polarization charges between two electrodes through a general spintronic tunneling. The dependence of the conductance ratio with very large magnitude on electric polarization, exchange splitting, barrier width, and bias voltage is investigated. The result may provide some insights into the realization of octal data storage (namely, the eight different logic states are used as octal code), which could lead to the tremendous increase of memory storage density.
Size effect in polymer nanofibers under tension
Authors: Wu Xiang-Fa , Dzenis Yuris A.
Published: August 2007

This article studies the size effect on the elastic behavior of solid and hollow polymer nanofibers (e.g., electrospun nanofibers) subjected to uniaxial tension. A one-dimensional nonlinear elastic tension model is proposed that takes into account the coupling effect of fiber elastic deformation and surface tension. The fiber axial force-displacement and stress-strain relations are obtained in explicit forms. It is shown that, at nanoscale, fiber radius has appreciable effect on the elastic response of polymer nanofibers. With consideration of the fiber radial effect, it is shown that the actual contribution of surface energy of the solid polymer fibers to the axial tensile force is πr0γ rather than 2πr0γ (where r0 is the fiber radius after deformation and γ is the surface tension), as commonly used in literature. Compared to solid polymer fibers, the tensile behavior of hollow polymer nanofibers appears more complex with greater axial stiffening effect depending upon the combination effect of the fiber exterior and interior radii and the material properties. The results presented in this study can be utilized for data reduction of the nanoscale tension tests of polymer nanofibers and the analysis and design of nanofiber devices.
Effect of oxide thickness on the low temperature (≤400 °C) growth of cone-shaped silicon nanowires
Authors: Jung Yang-Gyoo , Jee Sang-Won , Lee Jung-Ho
Published: August 2007

Au-catalyzed cone-shaped silicon nanowires (CSiNWs) were grown at low temperature (≤400 °C) using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Thin (≤3 nm) Au films were evaporated and annealed on a thermally oxidized (0−80 nm) silicon substrate so as to form Au silicides, which, under a supply of SiH4, catalyzed the growth of CSiNWs. We have found that the thickness of thermally grown SiO2 and silicidation annealing critically affect the growth behavior of CSiNWs based on an analysis of areal CSiNW densities. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and real-time in situ ellipsometry were used to characterize the silicidation behavior of a thin Au film annealed with different oxide thicknesses. Interestingly, the optimal condition (10-nm-thick oxide), which showed a maximum areal density of CSiNWs, revealed the highest integration intensity of Au–Si–O (or Au–O–Si) bonding units rather than the Au–Si bonding, as generally expected. The Au–Si–O (or Au–O–Si) bonding is believed to transform into an Au–Si bonding unit during the dissociation of SiH4 for nanowire growth.
Polarizability of a dielectric hemisphere
Authors: Kettunen Henrik , Wallén Henrik , Sihvola Ari
Published: August 2007

This article presents a method for solving the polarizability of a dielectric hemispherical object as a function of its relative electric permittivity. The polarizability of a hemisphere depends on the direction of the exciting electric field. Therefore, the polarizability can be written as a dyadic consisting of two components, the axial and the transversal polarizabilities, which can be solved separately. The solution is based on an analytical approach where the electrostatic potential function is written as a series expansion. However, no closed-form solution for the coefficients of the series is found, so they must be solved from a matrix equation. This method provides very high accuracy. However, it requires construction of large matrices which consumes both time and memory. Therefore, approximative expressions for the polarizabilities with absolute error less than 10−5 are also presented.
Photoluminescence-excitation spectroscopy as a highly sensitive probe for carrier transport processes affected by surface damages in AlxGa1−xN/GaN heterostructures
Authors: Takeuchi Hideo , Yamamoto Yoshitsugu , Kamo Yoshitaka , Kunii Tetsuo , Oku Tomoki , Shirahama Takeo , Tanaka Hiroyasu , Nakayama Masaaki
Published: August 2007

We demonstrate that photoluminescence-excitation (PLE) spectroscopy can probe with high sensitivity the effects of plasma-induced surface damages on photogenerated-carrier-transport processes in AlxGa1−xN/GaN heterostructures, on the basis of systematic optical and structural characterization results for the as-grown reference sample and the plasma-exposed sample. It is found from the structural characterizations with atomic force microscopy that the plasma exposure remarkably modifies the atomic step boundaries and the pits on the AlxGa1−xN surface, which leads to a remarkable difference between the PLE spectra of the bound exciton photoluminescence from the underlying GaN layer in the two samples. The PLE spectrum of the reference sample shows a step rising from the AlxGa1−xN fundamental transition energy toward the high energy side, whereas the rising step disappears in the PLE spectrum of the plasma-exposed sample. In contrast, the reflectance characteristics are the same in the two samples; i.e., the excitonic transition itself is not influenced by the plasma exposure. The present findings indicate that the PLE spectral profile is sensitive to the change in efficiency of the photogenerated carrier injection from the AlxGa1−xN layer to the GaN layer. Thus, it is concluded that the PLE characterization is effective to probe the photogenerated-carrier transport in heterostructures.
Phase transformation of the A15 metastable phase of Fe-Cr thin films prepared by ion-beam sputtering
Authors: Al-Khoury W. , Eymery J.-P. , Goudeau Ph.
Published: August 2007

Thermal stability of metastable A15 Fe-Cr phase is investigated through the study of its magnetic and structural properties. This phase presents very interesting mechanical properties suggesting that A15-structured films might be of great interest for tribological applications when considering the hardness H over Young’s modulus E ratio i.e., a description in terms of “elastic strain to failure” for wear resistance. Indeed, H is multiplied by a factor 2 with respect to the value measured for the bulk cubic centered α phase whereas E remains identical. Then, an improvement by a factor 8 of resistance to plastic deformation may be expected since predictive models stand that this quantity is proportional to the H3∕E2 ratio. However, heating problems due to sliding during tribological tests may lead to structural transformation in the film and then a loose of mechanical performance. The formation and the stability of the A15 cubic structure (δ phase) in centered-cubic refractory metals are generally attributed to the presence of oxygen atoms in the unit cell. For equiatomic Fe-Cr thin films elaborated by physical vapor deposition techniques, residual oxygen atoms present in the deposition chamber would be absorbed during the deposition process. In this work, the δ-phase transformation has been studied ex situ in the temperature range 400−650 °C; structural changes have been accurately investigated thanks to the combination of x-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy techniques. Thin films were deposited onto quartz substrates and then annealed ex situ under secondary vacuum. From 400 °C, a “structural relaxation” occurring in the δ phase precedes and accompanies the beginning of the phase transformation. Finally, the partially ordered metastable δ-phase transforms into a stable α-phase presenting the precipitation phenomenon at temperature above 550 °C and the presence of a τ-carbide phase is clearly visible from 600 °C. The δ-phase transformation is completed at 650 °C. The stability of the A15 type structure up to 550 °C is a promising indication of good tribological performance of such coatings.