bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Account Imbalances and Real Exchange Rates in the Euro Area*
Authors: Arghyrou Michael G. , Chortareas Georgios
Published: August 2008

Global current account imbalances have been one of the focal points of interest for policymakers during the last few years. Less attention has been paid, however, to the diverging current account balances of the individual euro area countries. In this paper we consider the dynamics of current account adjustment and the role of real exchange rates in current account determination in the EMU countries. After controlling for the effects of income growth, we find the relationship between real exchange rates and current accounts to be substantial in size and subject to nonlinear effects. We find that real exchange rates can offer further insights, beyond the effects of the income catch‐up process, relevant to current account determination in the EMU.
Patent Regimes, Host Country Policies, and the Nature of MNE Activities*
Authors: Nair‐Reichert Usha , Duncan Roderick
Published: August 2008

This paper provides useful insights in the debate regarding the relationship between stronger patent rights, host country policies and multinational activity using panel data from US MNEs. It analyzes the impact of stronger patent protection on the exports, local affiliate sales and licensing activities by explicitly modeling the joint nature of the MNE's decision‐making process in servicing a foreign market. The key findings support the idea that the policy environment in the host country influences the impact of stronger IPRs on US MNE activities during the period 1992 to 2000. A risky environment in the host country appears, on average, to have a negative and significant impact on unaffiliated exports and affiliate sales. Increased patent protection in high‐risk countries, on average, appears to reduce licensing, and increase unaffiliated exports, suggesting a dominant monopoly effect of stronger IPRs in the former case and a dominant market expansion effect in the latter case.
Adapted Finnish Migraine‐Specific Questionnaire for family studies (FMSQFS): a validation study in two languages
Authors: Facheris M. F. , Vogl F. D. , Hollmann S. , Sixt G. , Pattaro C. , Schönhuber R. , Pramstaller P. P.
Published: August 2008

Background and purpose:  The hypothesis of a genetic component in the etiology of migraine is getting a foothold. However, to explore genetic associations, precision in clinical phenotypization is crucial. For this reason, migraine‐specific questionnaires, well discriminating between primary headaches, are required when large numbers of individuals need to be assessed.

Methods:  We adapted and translated in two languages, German and Italian, the Finnish Migraine‐Specific Questionnaire for use in family studies.

Results and conclusions:  This adaptation proved to be reliable when differentiating from primary headaches, and to be in very good agreement with the standard for comparison. However, discriminating between migraine with and without aura still relays on a specialist evaluation. This article describes the validation of this questionnaire.
The Second Somatic Revolution1
Authors: FARNELL BRENDA , VARELA CHARLES R.
Published: August 2008

This paper proposes a dynamic theory of embodiment that aims to get beyond the absent moving body in embodied social theory. The first somatic revolution, inspired by Merleau Ponty, provided theories based on the feeling and experience of the body. The theory of dynamic embodiment focuses instead on the doing itself as embodied social action, in which the embodied person is fore‐grounded as a complex resource for meaning making. This represents a theoretical enrichment of the earlier turn to the body in social theory, which tended to separate the semiotic, as necessarily representational and/or linguistic, from the somatic as a wide range of corporeal processes and practices assumed to be separated from mind, language and/or conscious thought. We argue that overcoming this persistent Cartesianism requires a New Realist approach to the proper location of human agency as a causal power, one that promotes a bio‐psycho‐social concept of personhood. Part one of the paper presents a general framework for this perspective, while part two applies this paradigm ethnographically to illustrate how bringing semiosis and somatics together requires a robust conception of multi‐sensory modalities.
Cross‐listing and Trading on the Domestic Market: Evidence from Canada–US Partial Holidays
Authors: Tannous George F. , Zhang Ying
Published: August 2008

Abstract:  This study uses intraday data to analyze security trading during partial holidays. The objectives include understanding the trading environment during such holidays and learning whether cross‐listing Canadian securities on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) affects liquidity, the information environment, and trading volume on the domestic market. We find that the bid‐ask spread increases significantly during Canadian or United States (US) partial holidays. Informed trading, average transaction size, and trading volume on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) drop during US partial holidays, while the changes on the NYSE during Canadian partial holidays are insignificant. This result suggests that during US partial holidays the ratio of institutional‐to‐retail trading on the TSX decreases.
SRI Funds: Nomen est Omen
Authors: Kempf Alexander , Osthoff Peer
Published: August 2008

Abstract:  We test the frequently made claim that SRI funds are conventional funds in disguise. For this purpose, we compare the portfolio holdings of SRI funds to conventional funds with respect to their social and environmental standards. Our empirical study of US equity funds shows that SRI funds have a significantly higher ethical ranking than standard funds, i.e., they are not conventional funds in disguise. This result holds for all ethical criteria we investigate. It is stable over time and holds after controlling for several fund characteristics. Finally, we find no evidence that our result is generated by window dressing strategies of SRI funds.
Sulphur isotopes and the search for life: strategies for identifying sulphur metabolisms in the rock record and beyond
Authors: JOHNSTON D. T. , FARQUHAR J. , HABICHT K. S. , CANFIELD D. E.
Published: August 2008

The search for life can only be as successful as our understanding of the tools we use to search for it. Here we present new sulphur isotope data (32S, 33S, 34S, 36S) from a variety of modern marine environments and use these observations, along with previously published work, to contribute to this search. Specifically, we use these new data to gain a sense of life's influences on the sulphur isotope record and to distinguish these biologically influenced signatures from their non‐biological counterparts. This treatment extends sulphur isotope analyses beyond traditional (34S/32S) measures and employs trace isotope relationships (33S/32S, 36S/32S), as the inclusion of these isotopes provides unique information about biology and its role in the sulphur cycle through time. In the current study we compare and contrast isotope effects produced by sulphur‐utilizing microorganisms (experimental), modern and ancient sedimentary records (observational) and non‐biological reactions (theoretical). With our collective search for life now extending to neighbouring planets, we present this study as a first step towards more fully understanding the capability of the sulphur isotope system as a viable tool for life detection, both on Earth and beyond.
Traumatic Experiences and Post‐traumatic Stress Symptoms in Kurdish Children in their Native Country and in Exile
Authors: Ahmad Abdulbaghi , Von Knorring Anne‐Liis , Sundelin‐Wahlsten Viveka
Published: August 2008

Background:  Traumatic experiences and post‐traumatic stress symptoms were assessed in Kurdish children in their native country and in exile.

Method:  312 randomly selected school‐age children at two sites completed assessments of traumatic experiences and post‐traumatic symptoms.

Results:  Although traumatic experiences showed more similarities than differences between the two samples, the PTSD frequencies and post‐traumatic stress symptom scores were higher in Kurdistan than in exile. Living in exile showed negative correlation with PTSD frequencies and post‐traumatic stress symptom scores.

Conclusions:  Living in exile seems to have trauma healing effect on children of Kurdistan.
Parental Report of Infant Language Skills: A Review of the Development and Application of the Communicative Development Inventories
Authors: Law James , Roy Penny
Published: August 2008

The Communicative Development Inventories (CDIs) are parent report measures of vocabulary and other aspects of language development in very young children. They have evolved over the past 20 years to be one of the most well recognised assessments of infant language. Of particular significance is the fact that the CDIs are the first measures of their kind to be widely translated and adapted for use in many different languages. The inventories have served a variety of functions including measuring early language acquisition, deriving normative data on language acquisition, and both identifying and describing children whose early language is significantly delayed. This review describes the development of the CDIs, summarises the volume of research that has been generated in a range of applications of the measures, and evaluates their current standing both as a research tool and as a clinical measure. Issues around the sensitivity and predictive value of the CDIs are also considered.
Peripheral washout phenomenon in an animal tumour model: comparison of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging using a small molecular contrast medium with histology*
Authors: Drees R. , Hünigen H. , Wagner S. , Schnorr J. , Plendl J. , Taupitz M.
Published: August 2008

The peripheral washout sign was first described in delayed dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) using a small molecular contrast medium in solid lesions of the human breast and liver. It was found to be 100% specific for malignant lesions and could therefore potentially be used as an additional noninvasive diagnostic tool differentiating malignant from benign lesions. The origin of this phenomenon has not yet been explained. The objective of this study was to translate the peripheral washout sign as seen in solid tumours in delayed DCE‐MRI in human onto an animal model for further assessment of DCE‐MRI characteristics and histological analysis. Small molecular contrast medium DCE‐MRI was performed over 42 min in experimental colon carcinoma grown subcutaneously in rats. Qualitative and quantitative analyses for evaluation of presence and characteristics of the peripheral washout sign were accomplished, defining four centripetally distributed tumour zones (central, intermediate, peripheral and marginal). One hundred per cent of the carcinomas demonstrated a peripheral washout sign in DCE‐MRI starting at 20 min after bolus injection. Histomorphological analysis was performed for tissue classification and evaluation of microvasculature. Quantitative analysis revealed different enhancement profiles of the four tumour zones. Histology indicated centripetally asymmetric vascularization and vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF/VEGF receptor 2 expression within the tumour tissue. Thus, peripheral washout sign can be translated to an animal model. However, comparison of small molecular contrast medium DCE‐MRI with histology revealed that histology alone does not explain the occurrence of the peripheral washout.
Glycoproteomic profiling of serum peptides in canine lymphoma and transitional cell carcinoma
Authors: Wilson C. R. , Regnier F. E. , Knapp D. W. , Raskin R. E. , Andrews D. A. , Hooser S. B.
Published: August 2008

Differential expression of fucosylated glycoproteins has been correlated with malignancy and metastatic potential in various types of neoplasia. Utilizing glycoproteomics techniques, changes in fucosylated serum peptides associated with naturally occurring canine lymphoma and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) have been evaluated. In both types of neoplasia, the majority of the fucosylated peptides that changed increased with the cancer. In one lymphoma case that was examined over the course of the disease, the same fucosylated peptides that increased during pre‐chemotherapy decreased during post‐chemotherapy, and then subsequently increased upon recurrence of the lymphoma. When comparing all the fucosylated peptides that increased in both types of cancer, there were only two peptides in common allowing discrimination between lymphoma and TCC based on their peptide profiles. These results emphasize the prospect of glycopeptide profiling in proteomics for use in discovering a panel of non‐invasive, diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers of cancer.
Preliminary analysis of genomic abnormalities in canine meningiomas
Authors: Courtay‐Cahen C. , Platt S. R. , De Risio L. , Starkey M. P.
Published: August 2008

Cytogenetic detection of unbalanced genomic aberrations in tumours is a strategy for the identification of tumour suppressor genes and oncogenes. When considered in concert with clinical data, the approach also represents a means of identifying markers of prognosis. In a preliminary investigation of the molecular basis of canine meningioma tumorigenesis, we profiled three tumours by comparative genomic hybridization. Distinct patterns of sub‐chromosomal deletions were identified suggesting alternative mechanisms of tumour initiation. The deleted chromosomal segments encompass two regions (10q23.1 and 17q22‐q23) that are syntenic to the chromosomes (22 and 1p) most often deleted in human meningiomas. A number of genes associated with DNA repair, cell cycle progression and apoptosis are located on both the deleted canine chromosomal segments and the syntenic regions deleted in human meningiomas. This study represents the first report of chromosomal copy number abnormalities in non‐cultured canine brain tumour tissue.
A Hierarchy of Urban Communities: Observations on the Nested Character of Place
Authors: Kusenbach Margarethe
Published: August 2008

Revisiting Hunter's (1974 , 1979 ) classic but rarely applied notion of a “hierarchy of communities,” this article investigates the nested meanings and uses of place in the urban realm. Qualitative research conducted in two Los Angeles neighborhoods in the late 1990s revealed the existence of four layers of community, here called microsettings, street blocks, walking distance neighborhoods, and enclaves. While all these geographies have been examined previously by urban scholars in a variety of contexts, they have never been linked and discussed together as parts of a hierarchy of communities. The main section of the article explores the four layers by taking into account residents’ sentiments and practical uses of their environment, neighborly interaction and relationships, and locals’ participation in collective events and rituals. For each zone of community, I discuss two salient characteristics and briefly compare the two research neighborhoods. The conclusion reflects on the interchange of the identified layers and suggests further uses of the new conceptual model.
Elevated frequency of p53 genetic mutations and AgNOR values in squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Bukhari Mulazim H. , Niazi Shahida , Khaleel Muhammad Eyyaz , Sharif M. Anwar , Ghani Rubina , Mehmood Muhammad T. , Tahseen Muhammad , Chaudhry Naseer A. , Hasan Mumtaz
Published: August 2008

Background:  Epidermal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common malignancy in Pakistan. We hypothesize that it is characterized by higher frequency of p53 genetic mutations and increased AgNOR values compared with squamous cell papilloma (SCP) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Experimental design: To test our hypothesis, 140 skin biopsies (including 20 normal skin, 20 SCP, 20 BCC and 80 SCC samples of various grades) were examined for p53 mutations using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). AgNOR staining was used for histological determination of AgNOR index.

Results:  Both markers were undetectable in normal skin and were low in SCP. They were upregulated in BCC and SCC. PCR experiments revealed p53 mutations in 70% and 96.25% of BCC and SCC, respectively. Higher AgNOR values were seen in SCC than in BCC (mean AgNOR count = 5.81 ± 31 and 8.36 ± 19; percentage of AgNOR was 43.5% and 53% in BCC and SCC, respectively). Finally, p53 IHC score was found to be related to the AgNOR index in the histological grading of BCC and SCC (r = +0.983, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:  Our results suggest that a higher frequency of p53 genetic mutations and increased AgNOR values exist in SCC compared with BCC and SCP. ‘Consequently, SCC patients may have poorer prognosis’.
Metastatic colorectal carcinoma: an unusual presentation
Authors: Moonda Afreen , Fatteh Shokat
Published: August 2008

Cutaneous metastases from colorectal carcinomas occur infrequently, usually in the setting of disseminated disease. They most commonly appear on the abdominal wall or perineal area; metastases to other locations of the skin are rare. We describe a case of colorectal signet ring carcinoma with metastasis to the upper lip. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the second reported case of colorectal carcinoma with metastasis to the lip and first with signet ring features. Because of the rarity of cutaneous metastases, the primary physician or pathologist may overlook this diagnosis. However, this entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of adnexal tumors as it may be the initial presentation of the colon carcinoma.
Traumatic neuromas of the penis: a clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical study of 17 cases
Authors: Salcedo Eduardo , Soldano Anthony C. , Chen Lesley , Rokhsar Cameron K. , Tam Sam T. , Meehan Shane A. , Kamino Hideko
Published: August 2008

We present 17 penile traumatic neuromas. The mean patient age at presentation was 38 years (range 23–59 years). The most common site involved was the penile shaft. The lesions ranged from 1 to 7 mm in greatest dimension. The clinical diagnosis in all cases included condyloma acuminatum. In all cases, a history of trauma because of prior biopsy and/or circumcision was found. Histologically, all lesions showed similar features consisting of an increased number of dermal nerve bundles embedded within a fibrous stroma. Often, single or multiple Meissner corpuscle‐like structures were noted in the papillary dermis. Our study suggests that circumcision or other forms of trauma to the skin of the penis likely plays an important role in the pathogenesis and clinical presentation of this peculiar neural neoplasm. We call attention to this entity because it is often clinically misdiagnosed as condyloma acuminatum.
Morphological variability among three geographically distinct Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) populations reared in a common hatchery environment
Authors: Janhunen M. , Peuhkuri N. , Piironen J.
Published: August 2008

Abstract –  The morphology of three lake‐resident Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, populations was studied at two life‐history stages in a common‐garden experiment. The fish of the same year class were reared under standard hatchery conditions, and 27 morphometric variables (a truss network) were measured from the sampled individuals. Most of the total variation was explained by the overall body robustness, dimensions of the head and caudal peduncle length. After controlling for a body size, significant heterogeneity in body shape was found among populations at both ages. Independent of age, the populations were morphologically highly distinct, although some integration of characters could be found as the fish reached sexual maturity. Sexual divergence accounted for a large part of the within‐population shape variation, the mature males having more robust bodies, larger head dimensions and longer pectoral fins compared with the mature females/immature fish. Although the cultured fish may not be totally representative of their wild counterparts, it is reasonable to expect that the observed morphological differences have a genetic basis, presumably reflecting adaptation to local environmental conditions experienced by the charr in their original habitat.
Development of a Chinese–Indian hybrid (Chindian) rhesus macaque colony at the California National Primate Research Center by introgression
Authors: Kanthaswamy S. , Gill L. , Satkoski J. , Goyal V. , Malladi V. , Kou A. , Basuta K. , Sarkisyan L. , George D. , Smith D.G.
Published: August 2008

Background  Fullbred Chinese and Indian rhesus macaques represent genetically distinct populations. The California National Primate Research Center introduced Chinese founders into its Indian‐derived rhesus colony in response to the 1978 Indian embargo on exportation of animals for research and the concern that loss of genetic variation in the closed colony would hamper research efforts. The resulting hybrid rhesus now number well over a thousand animals and represent a growing proportion of the animals in the colony.

Methods  We characterized the population genetic structure of the hybrid colony and compared it with that of their pure Indian and Chinese progenitors.

Results  The hybrid population contains higher genetic diversity and linkage disequilibrium than their full Indian progenitors and represents a resource with unique research applications.

Conclusions  The genetic diversity of the hybrids indicates that the strategy to introduce novel genes into the colony by hybridizing Chinese founders and their hybrid offspring with Indian‐derived animals was successful.
Functional Replacement of a Retroviral Late Domain by Ubiquitin Fusion
Authors: Joshi Anjali , Munshi Utpal , Ablan Sherimay D. , Nagashima Kunio , Freed Eric O.
Published: August 2008

Retroviral Gag polyprotein precursors are both necessary and sufficient for the assembly and release of virus‐like particles (VLPs) from infected cells. It is well established that small Gag‐encoded motifs, known as late domains, promote particle release by interacting with components of the cellular endosomal sorting and ubiquitination machinery. The Gag proteins of a number of different retroviruses are ubiquitinated; however, the role of Gag ubiquitination in particle egress remains undefined. In this study, we investigated this question by using a panel of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) Gag derivatives bearing the wild‐type EIAV late domain, heterologous retroviral late domains or no late domain. Ubiquitin was fused in cis to the C‐termini of these Gag polyproteins, and the effects on VLP budding were measured. Remarkably, fusion of ubiquitin to EIAV Gag lacking a late domain (EIAV/ΔYPDL‐Ub) largely rescued VLP release. We also determined the effects of ubiquitin fusion on the sensitivity of particle release to budding inhibitors and to depletion of key endosomal sorting factors. Ubiquitin fusion rendered EIAV/ΔYPDL‐Ub sensitive to depletion of cellular endosomal sorting factors Tsg101 and Alix and to overexpression of dominant‐negative fragments of Tsg101 and Alix. These findings demonstrate that ubiquitin can functionally compensate for the absence of a retroviral late domain and provide insights into the host‐cell machinery engaged by ubiquitin during particle egress.
Antioxidant Effect of Thiamine on Acutely Alcoholized Rats and Lack of Efficacy Using Thiamine or Glucose to Reduce Blood Alcohol Content
Authors: Portari Guilherme V. , Marchini Julio Sergio , Vannucchi Helio , Jordao Alceu A.
Published: August 2008

Abstract:  Although there is no consensus about the use of glucose and thiamine for the treatment of acute ethanol intoxication, this is a routine practice in many countries. Our objective was to determine the efficacy of this treatment and the changes it causes in the antioxidant status of the liver. Male Wistar rats were intoxicated with an ethanol dose of 5 g/kg and divided into three groups: ethanol (EtOH; untreated), EtOH+G (treated with glucose), and EtOH+B1 (treated with thiamine). Blood and urinary ethanol as well as hepatic malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione and vitamin E were determined in all animals. Blood alcohol levels did not differ between groups, although urinary excretion was about four times higher in the group treated with thiamine (EtOH+B1). The malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione and vitamin E values used here as parameters of the antioxidant system of the liver showed improvement for the thiamine‐treated group (EtOH+B1). Treatment with glucose or thiamine was ineffective in reducing blood alcohol levels in rats with acute ethanol intoxication. However, the beneficial effect of thiamine as an antioxidant for ethanol metabolism was demonstrated. Further investigations are necessary to clarify the urinary excretion of ethanol reported here for the first time and the possibility of using thiamine as an antioxidant in situations of chronic alcohol use.
Genistein Induction of Human Sulfotransferases in HepG2 and Caco‐2 Cells
Authors: Chen Yue , Huang Chaoqun , Zhou Tianyan , Chen Guangping
Published: August 2008

Abstract: Sulfotransferases are phase II drug‐metabolizing enzymes. While the induction of sulfotransferases by hormones and endogenous molecules is relatively well known, induction by xenobiotics is not well studied. Isoflavones are naturally occurring phyto‐oestrogens, mainly existing in soy food products. They have been described as health‐promoting, disease‐preventing dietary supplements and as agents with cancer‐preventive activities. Recently, isoflavones have been reported to interact with nuclear receptors, including those that are known to mediate the induction of drug‐metabolizing enzymes. In the present investigation, the isoflavone genistein was shown to be a xenobiotic inducer of human sulfotransferases in transformed human liver cells (HepG2) and colon carcinoma cells (Caco‐2). Enzymatic activity assay, Western blot, and real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) results demonstrated that genistein significantly induced protein and mRNA expression of human simple phenol sulfotransferase (hSULT1A1) and human dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase (hSULT2A1) in HepG2 and Caco‐2 cells. The induction was time‐dependent and dose‐dependent. Western blot results agreed well with real‐time RT‐PCR results, suggesting that induction occurred at the gene transcription level. This isoflavone is the first nutritionally related phyto‐oestrogen shown to induce human sulfotransferases in HepG2 and Caco‐2 cells.
EFFECT OF ENZYMATIC TREATMENT OF CORN GLUTEN MEAL ON LUTEIN, ZEAXANTHIN AND β‐CRYTOXANTHIN EXTRACTION
Authors: LI XIU‐XIA , HAN LU‐JIA
Published: August 2008

Response surface methodology was used to optimize some operating parameters on the effects of alcalase treatment extraction of lutein, zeaxanthin andβ‐cryptoxanthin from corn gluten meal (CGM) on the yield of total xanthophylls. Three independent variables tested were enzyme concentration, substrate concentration and hydrolyzing time. The t‐test and P value indicated that the quadratic of the three variables, enzyme concentration and hydrolyzing time were important linear variables affecting the total xanthophyll yield (P < 0.005), followed by substrate concentration (P < 0.01). The interaction effect between enzyme concentration and hydrolyzing time was also significant (P < 0.005). Considering the efficiency, the economy of materials and the feasibility of experiment, the technique parameters were optimized by constrained complex method. The optimum conditions were obtained as follows: the enzyme concentration, the substrate concentration and the hydrolyzing time were 4,367 U/g, 11.3% and 2.4 h, respectively. The highest total xanthophyll yield was predicted of 65.69 µg/g when CGM was hydrolyzed under the optimum condition. The suitability of the model equation for predicting the optimal response values was tested using the selected optimum conditions; the experimental yield was 65.06 ± 0.78 µg/g, which was found to be in agreement with the predicted yield.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Corn gluten meal (CGM), a major by‐product of corn wet milling, contains (on a dry basis) 200–400 µg/g carotenoids. There are ∼840,000 tons of CGM produced in China every year. If a part of CGM produced was manufactured further to produce carotenoids as foods, materials of foods and additives of pharmaceutical products, its value and presence in the marketplace would be increased.
EFFECT OF SETTING CONDITIONS USING MICROBIAL TRANSGLUTAMINASE DURING OBTENTION OF BEEF GELS
Authors: CASTRO‐BRIONES MARTÍN , CALDERÓN GEAZUL N. , VELAZQUEZ GONZALO , SALUD‐RUBIO M. , VÁZQUEZ MANUEL , RAMÍREZ JOSÉ A
Published: August 2008

Microbial transglutaminase (MTG) is a food additive widely used to improve the mechanical properties of beef, poultry and fish gels. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of incubation temperature on the mechanical properties of restructured beef gels treated with MTG. The restructured beef gels were obtained by adding 0.0% (untreated) or 0.3% MTG. Three incubation temperatures (40, 50 or 60C) for 30 min were used, followed by cooking at 90C for 15 min. Control samples without incubation were also prepared. Changes in the mechanical properties (texture profile analysis and puncture test), color attributes, expressible water and cooking loss were determined. Results indicated that the maximum mechanical properties can be obtained by incubating beef pastes at 50C for 30 min with minimal effect on color, expressible water and cooking loss when 0.3% of MTG is added.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Meat and poultry are considered nonsetting proteins, and consequently, an incubating treatment to allow optimal cross‐linking has not been considered, and the products are usually obtained by direct cooking. Our results showed that beef gels containing 0.3% of microbial transglutaminase incubated at 50C showed higher mechanical properties than control gels without incubation. These results could be useful to improve the mechanical properties of beef gels.
DENSITY, VISCOSITY AND SURFACE TENSION OF WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE SOLUTIONS
Authors: GONZÁLEZ‐TELLO P. , CAMACHO F. , GUADIX E.M. , LUZÓN G. , GONZÁLEZ P.A.
Published: August 2008

We have determined the density, rheological behavior and surface tension of whey protein concentrate (WPC) solutions.

Densities (ρ) were measured at concentrations of 0.05–0.40 w/w at temperatures of 20–35C. The results were expressed as a function of temperature and mass fraction (w). This function fit the data with deviations of less than±0.4%.

Apparent viscosities (ηa) for WPC solutions with mass fractions w ≤ 0.20 at temperatures of 10–40C and high shear rates, 50–1,200/s, were found to be independent of shear rates, implying that the rheological behavior of WPC solutions is Newtonian. Dynamic viscosity (η) data were fitted to an empirical function of the WPC mass fraction and temperature with a mean deviation of±4.7%.

Surface tensions (σ) were determined for mass fractions between 0.01 and 0.30 at 25C. At this temperature and w = 0.05, there was a critical surface tension,σc = 42.5 mN/m. When w ≥ 0.10, the arithmetic mean ofσat 25C was 46.3 mN/m. The surface tension values were similar to those published for skimmed milk at 25C. In addition, for w = 0.05 and w = 0.20, we found that at temperatures between 20 and 40C, the surface tension decreased linearly with temperature. These linear equations fit our experimental data with an average deviation lower than±0.4%.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Density, rheological behavior and surface tension are required to design and control processes with momentum, heat and mass transfer. The process of producing protein concentrates from milk or whey by ultrafiltration uses spiral‐wound membranes. The cross‐flow pressure drop and permeate mass flow are a function of fluid density and viscosity, which in turn depend on concentration and temperature. The ultrafiltration process used to concentrate solutions with mass fractions of about 0.10–0.20 w/w must then be treated to avoid physicochemical or microbiological alterations. Spray drying is usually used as the preservation technique. In the spray‐drying design, these physical properties are necessary to calculate the mean droplet diameter and droplet size distribution.
MODELING DEAD‐END ULTRAFILTRATION OF APPLE JUICE USING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK
Authors: GÖKMEN VURAL , AÇAR ÖZGE ÇETİNKAYA , SERPEN ARDA , SÜĞÜT İDRİS
Published: August 2008

An artificial neural network (ANN) was developed to model the dead‐end ultrafiltration process of apple juice. Molecular weight cutoff, transmembrane pressure, gelatin–bentonite concentration and time were the input variables, while filtrate flux and filtrate volume were the output variables of the ultrafiltration process. According to error results and correlation values for two types of network (one or two hidden layer configurations), configurations with two hidden layers had comparatively better performance. The highest correlation coefficient with the minimum prediction error was calculated for two hidden layers with 6‐5 nodes configuration. Trained ANN (4‐6‐5‐2) predicted filtrate flux and filtrate volume with 2.33 and 1.38% mean relative error, respectively. The results suggest that the ANN modeling can be effectively used to optimize filtration process.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Membrane separation processes including ultrafiltration have gained importance in the food industry. Today, fruit juices are widely clarified by means of ultrafiltration process instead of tedious and laborious conventional clarification treatments. Membrane fouling which results in flux decline is the main problem associated with the ultrafiltration of fruit juices. In order to perform an efficient ultrafiltration process, optimization is required to obtain maximum filtrate volume per unit time. Artificial neural network (ANN) modeling offers great advantage on improving the performance of ultrafiltration process by accounting the effects of different variables, i.e., feed properties, transmembrane pressure and membrane pore size on filtrate volume as the main output of the filtration process. ANN modeling of ultrafiltration may be an alternative to previously proposed empirical and semiempirical models.
Is there adequate feeding assistance for the hospitalised elderly who are unable to feed themselves?
Authors: TSANG Mei F.
Published: August 2008

Objective:  To observe patients at meal times in order to determine the type and amount of feeding assistance required by hospitalised elderly patients and the adequacy of assistance nursing staff provide to patients.

Methods:  The study was an observational study. Patients admitted to the ward were observed over a one‐week period encompassing all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks) served on a 14‐day menu cycle.

Subjects:  A total of 46 hospitalised elderly patients with mean age 86.5 ± 4.8 years admitted to the ward.

Setting:  The study was undertaken in a general teaching hospital geriatric ward in Sydney.

Results:  A high percentage of patients required some assistance with feeding at meals (70%, n = 32). The partially dependent patients had their needs basically fulfilled by ward staff. However, of the nine totally dependent patients, three were observed lacking any assistance (33%). The amount of assistance time from nursing staff was found shorter than that from non‐nursing staff, 123 and 137 minutes, respectively. Nursing assistants were the main providers of assisted eating in the ward. However, little attention and time were given to that task by registered nurses.

Discussion:  Provision of assisted eating by nursing staff presents many problems. More than 40% of hospital food was wasted and patients' recommended intakes for preserving health were not met. Hospital feeding policies and staff arrangements therefore need reviewing.

Conclusions:  Although assisting patients who are unable to feed themselves is a time‐consuming process, it is a vital and necessary part of nursing care.
Eating habits of young offenders on community orders and associations with overweight and obesity
Authors: KENNY Dianna T. , DENNEY‐WILSON Elizabeth , NELSON Paul , HARDY Louise L.
Published: August 2008

Aim:  The diets of young people are often described as poor, but young offenders may be at particular risk and in need of targeted nutrition education. There are very little data on the nutritional status of young offenders as they are rarely captured in national adolescent samples. This paper describes the food habits of young offenders supervised in the community and the association of food habits with overweight and obesity, and compares these with school‐attending adolescents to determine whether they should be specifically targeted for nutrition education.

Methods:  During 2003–2005, 802 (85% male) young offenders took part in a comprehensive health survey that included interviewer‐assisted recall of 11 food items. Height and weight were measured and body mass index calculated.

Results:  The diets of young offenders were poor. Only 32% of men and 20% of women reported eating breakfast every day, and 25% of participants ate fruit every day, while 30% of men and 16% of women ate extra foods (i.e. meat pies, sausage rolls or hot dogs) daily. One‐third of the participants were either overweight or obese; however, there was no significant association between food habits and overweight and obesity.

Conclusion:  Programs which encourage healthy food habits among young people serving community orders are required to improve their diets and long‐term health outcomes. The period of supervised orders offers an opportunity for health authorities to intervene, but further research is required to identify effective interventions in this traditionally difficult‐to‐reach group.
Target‐Specific Anti‐Fungal Discovery by Targeting Geotrichum candidum Histidinol Dehydrogenase: A Hybrid Approach
Authors: Pahwa Sonia , Chavan Archana G. , Jain Rahul , Roy Nilanjan
Published: August 2008

This study describes a hybrid approach of screening substrate analogue inhibitors of histidinol dehydrogenase. Imidazole derivative library of ∼400 compounds classified using Hierarchical cluster analysis, representative compounds of each class were tested in enzymatic assay and used for the development of quantitative structure–activity relationship models. Rest of the compounds in the library were screened using developed models and compounds predicted active were retested. 60% of the predicted compounds showed enzyme inhibition activity with IC50 values ranged between 5.2 and 58.0 μm range and have fungistatic activity.
Changes in the Radical‐Scavenging Activity of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) during Freezing and Frozen Storage with or without Blanching
Authors: Myojin C. , Enami N. , Nagata A. , Yamaguchi T. , Takamura H. , Matoba T.
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT:  The effects of blanching, freezing, and frozen storage on the retention of radical‐scavenging activity (RSA), total phenolics, and ascorbic acid in bitter gourd were investigated. Blanching of sliced bitter gourd resulted in considerable losses of RSA and total phenolics, and most extensively, of ascorbic acid. In the subsequent frozen storage at −18 °C, RSA and total phenolic content of unblanched and blanched bitter gourd underwent little change for 90 d then gradually declined, but at −40 °C, they practically remained unchanged throughout the entire storage period. On the contrary, ascorbic acid content of both unblanched and blanched bitter gourd decreased abruptly at the early stage in frozen storage. The results show that blanching of bitter gourd improves the retention of RSA and total phenolics during subsequent frozen storage but markedly aggravated loss of ascorbic acid. Finally, it is to be noted that RSA, total phenolics, and ascorbic acid originally contained in the raw bitter gourd were overall best retained by quick freezing followed by frozen storage at −40 °C without preceding blanching.
Growth, Proteolytic, and ACE‐I Activities of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus and Rheological Properties of Low‐Fat Yogurt as Influenced by the Addition of Raftiline HP®
Authors: Ramchandran L. , Shah N.P.
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT:  This study investigated the influence of incorporating Raftiline HP® on the pH, growth, proteolytic, and angiotensin‐I converting enzyme inhibitory activities and on spontaneous whey separation, firmness, and rheological properties of low‐fat yogurts during storage for 28 d at 4 °C. Three types of yogurts were prepared from skim milk containing 0% (YI0, control), 2% (YI2), and 3% (YI3) Raftiline HP, respectively. The incorporation of Raftiline HP improved the growth of starter organisms, particularly that of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, resulting in shorter fermentation time. There was a significant improvement in total proteolysis, which was highest in yogurt containing 3% Raftiline HP. The ACE inhibitory activity was maximal in YI3 compared to YI2 and YI0. Incorporation of Raftiline HP did not affect whey separation and firmness of the low‐fat yogurts. All these products were more fluid like with distinct pseudoplastic properties and lesser ability to resist deformation upon applied shear.
Effect of Grain Type and Toasting Conditions of Barrels on the Concentration of the Volatile Substances Released by the Wood and on the Sensory Characteristics of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Authors: Bosso A. , Petrozziello M. , Santini D. , Motta S. , Guaita M. , Marulli C.
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT:  We report the results of an aging trial of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo D.O.C. wine in commercially available oak barrels that differed in the type of wood grain (extra fine and fine) and cooperage toasting conditions: medium (EVM), light (EVL), medium for a shorter time (CM), and, finally, a single short‐time pretoasting stage at high temperature (ExpT). The chemical–physical composition, the volatile substances released by the wood, and the sensory characteristics of wines after 6 and 12 mo of aging were monitored. The differences observed were mainly in the concentration of volatile substances and the olfactory characteristics of the wines. The volatile compounds that could distinguish among the wines were the cis isomer of β‐methyl‐γ‐octalactone, the ratio between cis and trans octalactone, vanillin, cyclotene, maltol, 5‐methyl guaiacol, and the furfuryl compounds. The concentration of cis octalactone was influenced by the type of grain of the wood, while the cis/trans octalactones ratio varied depending on the toasting conditions used in the production of the barrels (the highest concentration was in EVL). In particular, the length of time (EVM compared with CM) and the temperature (EVM compared with EVL) of the toasting process influenced the concentration of vanillin, furfuryl alcohols, cis octalactone, and 5 methyl guaiacol. Among the olfactory descriptors, statistically significant differences were detected in the notes of caramel, toasty, spicy, green pepper, coconut, and wood.
Product and Process Tolerance Allocation in Multistation Compliant
Assembly Using Analytical Target Cascading
Authors: Li Zhijun , Kokkolaras Michael , Papalambros Panos , Hu S. Jack
Published: August 2008

Tolerance allocation is the process of determining allowable dimensional variations in products (parts and subassemblies) and processes (fixtures and tools) in order to meet final assembly quality and cost targets. Traditionally, tolerance allocation is conducted by solving a single optimization problem. This "all-in-one" (AIO) approach may not be desirable or applicable for various reasons: the assembler of the final product may not have access to models and∕or data to compute appropriate tolerance values for all subassemblies and parts in the case of outsourcing; optimization algorithms may face numerical difficulties when solving very large-scale, simulation-based nonlinear problems; interactions are often obscured in AIO models and trade-offs may not be quantifiable readily. This paper models multistation compliant assembly as a hierarchical multilevel process and proposes the application of analytical target cascading for formulating and solving the tolerance allocation problem. Final product quality and cost targets are translated into tolerance specifications for incoming parts, subassemblies, and station fixtures. The proposed methodology is demonstrated using a vehicle side frame assembly example. Both quality- and cost-driven tolerance allocation problems are formulated. A parametric study with respect to budget is conducted to quantify the cost-quality trade-off. We believe that the proposed multilevel optimization methodology constitutes a valuable new paradigm for tolerance design in multistation assembly involving a large number of parts and stations, and creates research opportunities in this area.
On the Input Joint Rotation Space and Mobility of Linkages
Authors: Ting Kwun-Lon
Published: August 2008

This paper presents the concept and application of input joint rotation space of linkages and offers updates on the N-bar rotatability laws. A thorough discussion on the joint rotation space of single-loop planar five-bar linkages is first presented. The concept is then extended to spherical linkages and the generalization to N-bar linkages is discussed. It offers a visualization tool for the input joint rotatability and fills up a void in the N-bar rotatability laws regarding the coordination among multiple inputs. It explains the formation of branches and how to establish a one-to-one correspondence between the inputs and the linkage configurations. The applications to multiloop linkages and spatial linkages are highlighted with Stephenson six-bar linkages, geared linkages, and spatial RCRCR mechanisms. These examples exhibit simplicity and benefits of the proposed concept to the mobility analysis of diversified mechanisms. The concept of virtual loop in spatial linkages is proposed and demonstrated with simple RCRCR and Stephenson six-bar mechanisms.
Optimal, Model-Based Design of Soft Robotic Manipulators
Authors: Trivedi Deepak , Dienno Dustin , Rahn Christopher D.
Published: August 2008

Soft robotic manipulators, unlike their rigid-linked counterparts, deform continuously along their lengths similar to elephant trunks and octopus arms. Their excellent dexterity enables them to navigate through unstructured and cluttered environments and to handle fragile objects using whole arm manipulation. This paper develops optimal designs for OctArm manipulators, i.e., multisection, trunklike soft arms. OctArm manipulator design involves the specification of air muscle actuators and the number, length, and configuration of sections that maximize dexterity and load capacity for a given maximum actuation pressure. A general method of optimal design for OctArm manipulators using nonlinear models of the actuators and arm mechanics is developed. The manipulator model is based on Cosserat rod theory, accounts for large curvatures, extensions, and shear strains, and is coupled to the nonlinear Mooney–Rivlin actuator model. Given a dexterity constraint for each section, a genetic algorithm-based optimizer maximizes the arm load capacity by varying the actuator and section dimensions. The method generates design rules that simplify the optimization process. These rules are then applied to the design of pneumatically and hydraulically actuated OctArm manipulators using 100psi and 1000psi maximum pressures, respectively.