bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Altering the rate of glucose release from starch‐based foods by spray‐drying with an extract from barley
Authors: Razzaq Hussam AA , Sutton Kevin H , Motoi Lidia
Published: January 2013

BACKGROUND

Health outcomes associated with sustained elevated blood glucose may be better managed by limiting glucose availability for uptake. Glucose release from consumed starch may be altered using various methods, but many are not suitable for high‐carbohydrate foods. This study describes an approach to protect starch granules, while generally maintaining their physical characteristics, with an extract from barley using spray‐drying.

RESULTS

The use of the extract resulted in the coating of the starch granules with a film‐like material composed of β‐glucans and proteins. This coincided with a reduction in starch digestion and a significant increase in the indigestible (resistant) starch component. Substitution of the starch component in a model snack bar by the coated starch was also associated with lowering starch digestion in the bar.

CONCLUSION

The barley extract provides a physical barrier that may limit the exposure of starch to the digestive enzymes and water, with a consequent reduction in starch digestion and the rate of glucose release. It is possible, therefore, to produce wheat starch with lower digestibility and glucose release rate that may be used as a healthier substitute in high‐carbohydrate foods by coating the granules with polymers extracted from barley cereals through spray‐drying. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Importance of the producer on retail broiler meat product contamination with Campylobacter spp
Authors: Kudirkienė Eglė , Bunevičienė Jurgita , Šernienė Loreta , Ramonaitė Sigita , Olsen John E , Malakauskas Mindaugas
Published: January 2013

Background

Campylobacter spp. are a leading cause of human bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, with poultry meat being considered the most important source of the infection. To obtain data on broiler meat contamination with Campylobacter spp. in Lithuania, the occurrence, counts and genotypes of these pathogens on raw broiler meat products from different producers were examined.

Results

Out of 312 broiler meat product samples examined, 46.8% were contaminated with Campylobacter spp. Campylobacter jejuni was identified in 51.4% and Campylobacter coli in 37.7% of positive samples. Campylobacter jejuni was more frequently found in the warm period (April–October) and C. coli in the cold period (November–March) of the year (P < 0.05). The overall mean count of Campylobacter spp. was 3.55 and 3.50 log10 colony‐forming units (CFU) on wings and drumsticks respectively. The occurrence and counts of Campylobacter spp. varied significantly between producers examined (P < 0.05). Analysis of flaA‐RFLP genotyping revealed C. jejuni genotypes common to all producers as well as producer‐specific genotypes.

Conclusion

Both the occurrence and counts of Campylobacter spp. on broiler meat products were producer‐dependent, so this should be kept in mind when risk‐based control measures at national level are applied. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Discrimination of Sri Lankan black teas using fluorescence spectroscopy and linear discriminant analysis
Authors: Seetohul L Nitin , Scott Simon M , O'Hare William T , Ali Zulfiqur , Islam Meez
Published: January 2013

Background

The quality of teas is currently graded using trained tea tasters, whose evaluation can sometimes be subjective. In this study the simple fluorescence‐based technique of total luminescence spectroscopy (TLS) in conjunction with data classification using principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to discriminate between teas from 11 different Sri Lankan plantations. Solvent extraction of the tea samples was followed by TLS to record excitation–emission matrices in the excitation range 250–590 nm and emission range 300–700 nm.

Results

The application of PCA and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) allowed the successful classification of all 11 teas using only the first two principal components. LDA demonstrated how the technique was able to discriminate between all teas correctly with 100% classification.

Conclusion

Further development of this work could lead to a simple device that could be used by tea manufacturers instead of or alongside trained tea tasters to grade teas. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Cytological and physiological basis for tomato varietal resistance against Alternaria alternata
Authors: Ahmad Aqeel , Shafique Shazia , Shafique Sobiya
Published: January 2013

BACKGROUND

Since tomato is an important food component, it is imperative to enhance its yield against the activities of many devastating fungal pathogens such as Alternaria alternata. The exploitation of plant innate resistance by cultivation of resistant varieties is an effective measure in this regard. In the present study, 28 tomato varieties were tested against 32 A. alternata isolates, and representative varieties were further evaluated to determine the extent and basis of their antifungal resistance.

RESULTS

A significant increase (104.7%) in polyphenols was recorded in the resistant variety Dinaar compared with the susceptible variety Red Tara. Dinaar also exhibited 100% enhancement of alkaloids and terpenoids along with a 30.7% increase in cell wall hemicellulose content. Significant differences were found in physical barriers (cellulose, lignin and pectin) of the representative varieties when stained tissue sections were subjected to colorimetric analysis. Similarly, polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase showed increases of 78.37, 114.67 and 125.11% respectively in the resistant variety. Higher expression of glucanase genes was evident from native gel analysis, in which not only the number of isozymes but also the quantity of individual isozymes was significantly increased.

CONCLUSION

The resistant variety Dinaar had strong antifungal resistance and can therefore be recommended as suitable for cultivation in the agricultural system of Pakistan. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Symmetrical lipomatosis of the tongue—A rare cause of macroglossia: Diagnosis, surgical treatment, and literature review
Authors: Vasileiadis Ioannis , Mastorakis Georgios , Ieromonachou Panagiotis , Logothetis Ioannis
Published: January 2013

Symmetrical lipomatosis of the tongue is an extremely rare condition. To date, only eight cases have been reported in the literature. We present an extremely rare case of intramuscular lipomatosis of the tongue in a 67‐year‐old male. The present case is unique because of its infiltrating nature and the extension of the lesion. Glossectomy was performed to reduce the size of the tongue and for diagnosis. The literature is reviewed and clinical characteristics, pathology, and surgical treatment are discussed. Laryngoscope, 2012
Thermoresponsive Synergistic Hydrogen Bonding Switched by Several Guest Units in a Water‐Soluble Polymer
Authors: Hao Zhenhua , Li Guangxiang , Yang Ke , Cai Yuanli
Published: January 2013

Thermoresponsive synergistic hydrogen bonding (H‐bonding) switched by several guest units in a water‐soluble polymer is reported. Adjusting the distribution of guest units can effectively change the synergistic H‐bonding inside polymer chains, thus widely switch the preorganization and thermoresponsive behavior of a water‐soluble polymer. The synergistic H‐bonding is also evidenced by converting less polar aldehyde groups into water‐soluble oxime groups, which bring about the lowering‐down of cloud point and an amplified hysteresis effect. This is a general approach toward the wide tunability of thermosensitivity of a water‐soluble polymer simply by adjusting the distribution of several guest H‐bonding units.
Business Angel Syndication and the Evolution of Risk Capital in a Small Market Economy: Evidence from Scotland
Authors: Gregson Geoff , Mann Sacha , Harrison Richard
Published: January 2013

In this paper, we examine the evolution of risk capital markets in a small market economy, with particular reference to business angel syndication. Scotland provides a valuable case, where the number of business angel syndicates (BAS) has grown from 3 to 18 between 2001 and 2010, the most radical shift in market organisation of any region in Europe. Findings suggest that a narrow range of focused but integrated public policies can be very effective in risk capital ‘capacity building’. Results suggest that syndication generates larger investment deals and more follow‐on investment but results in less new investments, fewer exits and an ‘equity gap’ in the lower end of the market, suggesting the need for ongoing formation of new BAS and greater emphasis on investment exits. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Latah: An indonesian startle syndrome
Authors: Bakker Mirte J. , van Dijk J. Gert , Pramono Astuti , Sutarni Sri , Tijssen Marina A.J.
Published: January 2013

The nature of culture‐specific startles syndromes such as “Latah” in Indonesia and Malaysia is ill understood. Hypotheses concerning their origin include sociocultural behavior, psychiatric disorders, and neurological syndromes. The various disorders show striking similarities despite occurring in diverse cultural settings and genetically distant populations. They are characterized clinically by exaggerated startle responses and involuntary vocalizations, echolalia, and echopraxia. Quantifying startle reflexes may help define Latah within the 3 groups of startle syndromes: (1) hyperekplexia, (2) startle‐induced disorders, and (3) neuropsychiatric startle syndromes. Twelve female Latah patients (mean age, 44.6 years; SD, 7.7 years) and 12 age‐, sex‐ and socioeconomically matched controls (mean age, 42.3 year; SD, 8.0) were studied using structured history taking and neurological examination including provocation of vocalizations, echolalia, and echopraxia. We quantified auditory startle reflexes with electromyographic activity of 6 left‐sided muscles following 104‐dB tones. We defined 2 phases for the startle response: a short latency motor startle reflex initiated in the lower brain stem <100/120 ms) and a later, second phase more influenced by psychological factors (the “orienting reflex,” 100/120–1000 ms after the stimulus). Early as well as late motor startle responses were significantly increased in patients compared with controls (P ≤ .05). Following their startle response, Latah patients showed stereotyped responses including vocalizations and echo phenomena. Startle responses were increased, but clinically these proved insignificant compared with the stereotyped behavioral responses following the startle response. This study supports the classification of Latah as a “neuropsychiatric startle syndrome.” © 2013 Movement Disorder Society
Cine‐ASL: A steady‐pulsed arterial spin labeling method for myocardial perfusion mapping in mice. Part I. Experimental study
Authors: Troalen Thomas , Capron Thibaut , Cozzone Patrick J. , Bernard Monique , Kober Frank
Published: January 2013

Arterial spin labeling has been developed and used for the quantitative and completely noninvasive assessment of myocardial perfusion in vivo. Here we propose a novel arterial spin labeling method called cine‐ASL, which is based on an electrocardiogram‐gated steady‐pulsed labeling approach combined with simultaneous readout over the cardiac cycle using cine‐fast low‐angle shot. This method led to shorter acquisition times than the previously used Look‐Locker flow‐sensitive alternating inversion recovery gradient‐echo technique while preserving spatial resolution and robustness with respect to cardiac motion. High resolution perfusion mapping (in‐plane resolution = 195 μm × 391 μm) was carried out with both techniques at 4.7 T in a group of 14 healthy mice. Mean perfusion values were 5.0 ± 0.8 mL g−1 min−1 with cine‐ASL and 5.9 ± 1.4 mL g−1 min−1 with Look‐Locker flow‐sensitive alternating inversion recovery. In one animal, physiological stress was induced with higher anesthetic concentration to evaluate the response of both methods under vasodilation. Global myocardial perfusion increased from 5.6 to 16.0 mL g−1 min−1 with cine‐ASL and from 6.3 to 18.7 mL g−1 min−1 with Look‐Locker flow‐sensitive alternating inversion recovery. Although this original scheme requires a separate T1 measurement to be fully quantitative, it improves arterial spin labeling sensitivity while maintaining compatibility with motion constraints in cardiac MRI in small rodents. Magn Reson Med 70:1389–1398, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Milch macht Mode
Authors: Schölch Jessica
Published: January 2013

Die Mikrobiologin und Designerin Anke Domaske produziert aus saurer Milch Proteinfasern.
Meilensteine in der modernen Massenspektrometrie
Authors: Zenobi Renato
Published: January 2013

Ionisationsmethoden wie MALDI und ESI sowie die ambienten Ionisationsmethoden haben die Massenspektrometrie für Anwendungen in Biochemie und Medizin geöffnet. Große Biomoleküle lassen sich heute in ihrer ursprünglichen Form charakterisieren, bildgebende Verfahren wurden entwickelt, und ambiente Ionisation erfordert kaum noch Probenvorbereitung.
Als Chemiker in einem chinesischen Unternehmen
Authors: Pflug Kai , Pask Stephen
Published: January 2013

Chemiemanager, die in chinesischen Unternehmen arbeiten, machen sehr unterschiedliche Erfahrungen. Sie müssen sich nicht nur in einer fremden Alltagskultur zurechtfinden. Sie stoßen auch an Hürden, wenn sie innerhalb chinesischer Hierarchien westlichen Arbeits‐ und Führungsstil durchsetzen wollen.
Early changes of abdominal adiposity detected with weekly dual bioelectrical impedance analysis during calorie restriction
Authors: Ida Midori , Hirata Masakazu , Odori Shinji , Mori Eisaku , Kondo Eri , Fujikura Junji , Kusakabe Toru , Ebihara Ken , Hosoda Kiminori , Nakao Kazuwa
Published: January 2013

Objective

To elucidate early change of intra‐abdominal fat in response to calorie restriction in patients with obesity by weekly evaluation using a dual bioelectrical impedance analysis (Dual BIA) instrument.

Methods

For 67 Japanese patients with obesity, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome, intra‐abdominal fat area (IAFA), initially with both Dual BIA and computed tomography (CT), and in subsequent weeks of calorie restriction, with Dual BIA were measured.

Results

IAFA by Dual BIA (Dual BIA‐IAFA) correlated well with IAFA by CT (CT‐IAFA) in obese patients (r = 0.821, P < .0001, n = 67). Ten males and 9 females (age 49.0 ± 14.4 years, BMI 33.2 ± 7.3 kg/m2) lost more than 5% of baseline body weight (BW) in 3 weeks, and their Dual BIA‐IAFA, BW, and WC decreased by 18.9%, 5.3%, and 3.8%, respectively (P < .05, ANCOVA).

Conclusion

Dual BIA instrument could detect the weekly change of Dual BIA‐IAFA under calorie restriction in obese patients and demonstrated a substantially larger change of IAFA compared with changes of BW and WC in early weeks. This observation corroborates the significance of evaluating IAFA as a biomarker for obesity, and indicates the clinical usefulness of the Dual BIA instrument.
A genome wide association study of plasma uric acid levels in obese cases and never‐overweight controls
Authors: Li Wei‐Dong , Jiao Hongxiao , Wang Kai , Zhang Clarence K. , Glessner Joseph T. , Grant Struan F.A. , Zhao Hongyu , Hakonarson Hakon , Arlen Price R.
Published: January 2013

Objective

To identify plasma uric acid‐related genes in extremely obese and normal weight individuals using genome‐wide association studies (GWASs).

Design and Methods

Using genotypes from a GWAS focusing on obesity and thinness, quantitative trait association analyses (PLINK) for plasma uric acid levels in 1,060 extremely obese individuals (BMI > 35 kg/m2) and normal‐weight controls (BMI < 25kg/m2) were performed. In 961 samples with uric acid data, 924 were females.

Results

Significant associations were found in SLC2A9 gene SNPs and plasma uric acid levels (rs6449213, P = 3.15 × 10–12). DIP2C gene SNP rs877282 also reached genome‐wide significance (P = 4.56 × 10–8). Weaker associations (P < 1× 10–5) were found in F5, PXDNL, FRAS1, LCORL, and MICAL2 genes. Besides SLC2A9, three previously identified uric acid‐related genes ABCG2 (rs2622605, P= 0.0026), SLC17A1 (rs3799344, P = 0.0017), and RREB1 (rs1615495, P = 0.00055) received marginal support in our study.

Conclusions

Two genes/chromosome regions reached genome‐wide association significance (P < 1 × 10–7, 550K SNPs) in our GWAS: SLC2A9, the chromosome 2 60.1 Mb region (rs6723995), and the DIP2C gene region. Five other genes (F5, PXDNL, FRAS1, LCORL, and MICAL2) yielded P < 1 × 10–5. Four previous reported associations were replicated in our study, including SLC2A9, ABCG2, RREB, and SLC17A1.
Pre‐tumour clones, periodic selection and clonal interference in the origin and progression of gastrointestinal cancer: potential for biomarker development
Authors: Baker Ann‐Marie , Graham Trevor A , Wright Nicholas A
Published: January 2013

Classically, the risk of cancer progression in premalignant conditions of the gastrointestinal tract is assessed by examining the degree of histological dysplasia. However, there are many putative pro‐cancer genetic changes that have occurred in histologically normal tissue well before the onset of dysplasia. Here we summarize the evidence for such pre‐tumour clones and the existing technology that can be used to locate these clones and characterize them at the genetic level. We also discuss the mechanisms by which pre‐tumour clones may spread through large areas of normal tissue, and highlight emerging theories on how multiple clones compete and interact within the gastrointestinal mucosa. It is important to gain an understanding of these processes, as it is envisaged that certain pre‐tumour changes may be powerful predictive markers, with the potential to identify patients at high risk of developing cancer at a much earlier stage.
Alterations in Wnt–β‐catenin and Pten signalling play distinct roles in endometrial cancer initiation and progression
Authors: van der Zee Marten , Jia Yundan , Wang Yongyi , Heijmans‐Antonissen Claudia , Ewing Patricia C , Franken Patrick , DeMayo Francesco J , Lydon John P , Burger Curt W , Fodde Riccardo , Blok Leen J
Published: January 2013

Endometrioid endometrial cancer arises through a gradual series of histological changes, each accompanied by specific alterations in gene expression and activity. Activation of the Wnt–β‐catenin pathway and loss of PTEN activity are frequently observed in endometrial cancers. However, the specific roles played by alterations in these pathways in the initiation and progression of endometrial cancer are currently unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of loss of Pten and Apc gene function in the mouse endometrium by employing tissue‐specific and inducible mutant alleles, followed by immunohistochemical (IHC) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis of their corresponding cancerous lesions. Loss of the Apc function in the endometrium leads to cytoplasmic and nuclear β‐catenin accumulation in association with uterine hyperplasia and squamous cell metaplasia, but without malignant transformation. Loss of Pten function also resulted in squamous metaplasia but, in contrast to loss of Apc function, it initiates endometrial cancer. On the other hand, loss of Apc function in the endometrium accelerates Pten‐driven endometrial tumourigenesis. Analysis of compound heterozygous mice confirmed that somatic loss of the wild‐type Pten allele represents the rate‐limiting initiation step in endometrial cancer. Simultaneous loss of Pten and Apc resulted in endometrial cancer characterized by earlier onset and a more aggressive malignant behaviour. These observations are indicative of the synergistic action between the Wnt–β‐catenin and Pten signalling pathways in endometrial cancer onset and progression. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancement of styrene conversion in organic/inorganic hybrid materials by using malononitrile in controlled radical polymerization
Authors: Vergnat Virginie , Pourroy Geneviève , Masson Patrick
Published: January 2013

A ‘grafting from’ method has been used to fabricate polystyrene/iron‐based oxide materials. The styrene conversion is considerably low when initiator‐modified iron‐based oxides are used. We demonstrate that malononitrile in catalytic amounts strongly enhances the monomer conversion. The hybrid materials are fabricated using a two‐step process. First, an atom transfer radical polymerization initiator molecule containing a phosphonic acid group (2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropionic acid 11‐phosphonoundecyl ester) is covalently immobilized onto the surface of CoFe2O4 and α‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles. In the second step, the polymerization of styrene is performed at the particle surface with and without the addition of malononitrile. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetry and size exclusion chromatography are used to characterize the metal oxide, the initiator molecule grafted onto the metal oxide, the hybrid material and the polymer chains.© 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Passivation of n‐type emitter and p‐type base in solar cells via oxygen terminated silicon nanoparticles
Authors: Patil Sumati , Cherukupalli Rajesh , Pramod Mulbagal R. , More Shahaji , Mahamuni Shailaja , Jadkar Sandesh R. , Dusane Rajiv O. , Dharmadhikari Chandrakant V. , Ghaisas Subhash V.
Published: January 2013

Various measurements and experiments are performed to establish the mechanism of passivation on emitter and base of conventionally manufactured solar cell with p‐type base. The surface coatings on the emitter are removed. The bare surface is then coated with silicon (Si) nanoparticles (NPs) with oxygen termination. It shows an increase in the cell efficiency up to 14% over bare surface of solar cell. The NPs show enhancement in light scattering from the surface, but shows an increase in the recombination lifetime indicating an improved passivation. When back contact is partially removed, the coating on bare back side ( p‐type) of the solar cell also improves the cell efficiency. This is also attributable to the increased recombination lifetime from the measurements. Same NPs are seen to degrade the surface of n and p‐type Si wafers. This apparently contradictory behaviour is explained by studying and comparing the emitter (n‐type) surface of the solar cell with that of n‐type Si wafer and the back surface ( p‐type) with that of p‐type Si wafer. The emitter surface is distinctly different from the n‐type wafer because of the shallow p–n junction causing the surface depletion. Back surface has aluminium (Al) metal trace, which plays an important role in forming complexes with the oxygen‐terminated Si NPs (Si–O NPs). With these studies, it is observed that increase in the efficiency can potentially reduce the thermal budget in solar cell preparation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
h‐plots for displaying nonmetric dissimilarity matrices
Authors: Epifanio Irene
Published: January 2013

Nonmetric pairwise data with violations of symmetry, reflexivity, or triangle inequality appear in fields such as image matching, web mining, or cognitive psychology. When data are inherently nonmetric, we should not enforce metricity as real information could be lost. The multidimensional scaling problem is addressed from a new perspective. I propose a method based on the h‐plot, which naturally handles asymmetric proximity data. Pairwise proximities between the objects are defined, though I do not embed these objects, but rather the variables that give the proximity to or from each object. The method is very simple to implement. The representation goodness can be easily assessed. The methodology is illustrated through several small examples and applied to the analysis of digital images of human corneal endothelia. Comparisons with well‐known methods show its good behavior, especially with nonmetric pairwise data, which motivate my methodology. Other databases and methods are analyzed in the supporting information. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 6: 136–143, 2013
An empirical examination of the extent of software process improvement in software SMEs
Authors: Clarke Paul , O'Connor Rory V.
Published: January 2013

Although earlier studies revealed much about software process improvement (SPI) in software small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), no earlier research set out to determine the full extent of SPI being implemented in software SMEs. Therefore, this study was designed from the outset to elicit all instances of SPI, which we term SPI events – no matter how small or informal. We make the important new discovery that SMEs initiate a considerable amount of SPI, albeit in varying quantities in different organisations. No earlier study reported that the practice of SPI was so widespread in software SMEs, and this is perhaps related to the extensive scope of the enquiry adopted in this study. Our study also finds that the significant majority of SPI in software SMEs is minor or moderate in nature, sometimes leveraging the human capital via improvements in tacit knowledge. Software development is an intrinsically human intensive activity, and it therefore follows that the maximisation of the human capital in an organisation is a source of competitive advantage. However, contemporary process maturity frameworks and quality management standards do not fully exploit the capacity of human capital and may therefore diminish rather than improve the competitive advantage of software SMEs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Einfluss von Nutzeranforderungen auf die ökonomische Bewertung von Stahl als Konstruktionswerkstoff für nachhaltige Bürogebäude
Authors: Lingnau Volker , Kokot Katharina , Zink Klaus J. , Baudach Tino
Published: January 2013

Integrale Planung mit Lebenszyklusperspektive für Büroneubauten ist eine Voraussetzung auf der Prozessebene, um Nachhaltigkeit im Gebäudesektor umzusetzen. Dabei werden Nutzungsänderungen, die im Zuge des Gebäudelebenszyklus auftreten können, bereits im Entwurf berücksichtigt. Auf diese Weise soll eine Grundlage für den Erhalt und die Weiterentwicklung von ökologischen, ökonomischen und sozialen Ressourcen geschaffen werden. In diesem Planungsprozess ist nicht nur die Bilanz für jede einzelne Dimension zu optimieren, sondern auch die Gesamtbilanz, in der die Wechselwirkungen der Dimensionen berücksichtigt werden. Der nachfolgende Beitrag veranschaulicht am Beispiel von Bürogebäuden, wie die soziale Dimension die ökonomische Dimension beeinflussen kann, und gibt damit einen Einblick in die Forschungsarbeit des Projekts “Nachhaltige Büro‐ und Verwaltungsgebäude in Stahl‐ und Stahlverbundbauweise“ (P 881). Über den soziotechnischen Systemansatz werden Bürogebäude als technisches Teilsystem identifiziert, das signifikante Auswirkungen auf das soziale Teilsystem – die Nutzer hat. Als Ergebnis der Analyse von Zukunftsstudien wird gezeigt, dass gegenwärtige und zukünftige Nutzeranforderungen Flexibilität als relevante Eigenschaft von Bürogebäuden der Zukunft begründen. Schließlich wird eine Methode aufgezeigt, mit der Aussagen über die ökonomische Vorteilhaftigkeit von flexiblen Gebäudestrukturen mit Stahl getroffen werden können.

Impact of requirements of users on the economic valuation of steel as construction material for sustainable office buildings. The concept of integral design with life cycle perspective is one precondition to implement sustainability in the building sector. Applying this method means to already include possible changes of use during the life cycle in design processes. This approach helps to safeguard, sustain and develop environmental, economic and social resources. In design processes of this kind, not only every single dimension has to be optimized but also the interdependency between all three dimensions as a whole. With reference to office buildings, the following article shows how the social dimension can influence the economic one and provides with it an insight into the research project “Sustainable office and administration buildings in steel and steel‐composite construction” (P 881). Using the sociotechnical system approach, it becomes obvious that office buildings are technical subsystems which affect the social subsystem (user) – and vice versa – significantly. Studies about future work and buildings point out that flexibility is a key quality of office buildings to meet requirements of present and future users. Finally, this article presents a method which enables investors to document the profitability of flexible building structures made of steel constructions.
Mehrdimensional energieoptimierte Gebäudehüllen in Stahlleichtbauweise für den Industrie‐ und Gewerbebau
Authors: Feldmann Markus , Kuhnhenne Markus , Brieden Matthias , Rexroth Susanne , Deininger Florian , Morana Romy , Görner Ramona , Hachul Helmut , Bach Janine , Rößling Heike , Ummenhofer Thomas , Krüger Helmut , Fauth Christian
Published: January 2013

Nachhaltigkeit und Ressourcenschonung sind bei Errichtung und Betrieb von Industrie‐ und Gewerbebauten zu beachten. Im Vergleich zum Geschoss‐ und Wohnungsbau ist ihr Einfluss durchaus von Bedeutung, weshalb im Projekt “Mehrdimensional energieoptimierte Gebäudehüllen in Stahlleichtbauweise für den Industrie‐ und Gewerbebau“ (P 880) Potentiale und Entwicklungskorridore untersucht und erschlossen werden. Es sollen dabei nicht nur Möglichkeiten der Reduktion von Ressourcen‐ und Energieverbräuchen erforscht, sondern auch Chancen zur aktiven Nutzung erneuerbarer Energien auf Bauteilebene aufgezeigt werden. Die Optimierung von Gebäudehüllen wird in mehreren Dimensionen betrachtet. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden auszugsweise einige der bisher erzielten Ergebnisse vorgestellt und erläutert. Daneben wird das weitere Vorgehen kurz umrissen und auf Problemstellungen hingewiesen.

Multidimensional energy‐optimized building envelopes in steel‐lightweight construction for industrial and commercial buildings. In the erecting and operating of industrial and commercial constructions sustainability and conversation of resources must be considered. Compared with multi‐story and residential buildings the influence is of matter. Within the research project P 880 “Mehrdimensional energieoptimierte Gebäudehüllen in Stahlleichtbauweise für den Industrie‐ und Gewerbebau“ referring to this potentials and development corridors should be investigated and made accessible. Not even the opportunities of reducing the resource and energy consumption will be explored, but also odds for the active use of regenerative energy on a building element level will be pointed out. Therefore, the way how to consider energy‐saving building‐skins is multi‐dimensional, or in other words, passive and active. The following article will present and explain some of the achieved results. Moreover the next steps will be defined and further problems will be outlined.
Potenziale und Chancen der Stahl(leicht)bauweise beim Bauen im Bestand
Authors: Floerke Paul , Stein Lara , Weiß Sonja , Ungermann Dieter , Preckwinkel Eva , Lübke Sebastian , Patschin Alena , Gralla Mike , Brandt Tim , Kubny Sabine , Ummenhofer Thomas , Zinke Tim , Herrmann Christoph , Dettmer Tina , Tichelmann Karsten , Ziegler Bastian
Published: January 2013

Potentials and prospects of the steel‐ and lightweight steel structures with existing buildings. To achieve a sustainable urban and spacial development the focus currently lies on the urban concentration, modernization and redevelopment of existing building stock. This especially opens up opportunities for (lightweight) steel construction, since steel has considerable advantages in comparison with other materials. The use of steel leads to lightweight building elements, high prefabrication, and good recyclability of the structure. Sustainable projects dealing with the building stock require a holistic view on all fields of building construction in consideration of functional, economic, ecologic and socio‐cultural aspects. Within the scope of the presented research project an interdisciplinary research group develops integral, sustainable solutions for the modernisation of the building stock with optimised (lightweight) steel structures for building extensions.
Measurement of fetal fat in utero in normal and diabetic pregnancies using magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Anblagan D. , Deshpande R. , Jones N. W. , Costigan C. , Bugg G. , Raine‐Fenning N. , Gowland P. A. , Mansell P.
Published: January 2013

Objectives

To assess the reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure fetal fat volume in utero, and to study fetal growth in women with and without diabetes in view of the increased prevalence of macrosomia in the former.

Methods

We studied 26 pregnant women, 14 with pre‐gestational diabetes and 12 non‐diabetic controls. Fetal assessment took place at 24 weeks' gestation and again at 34 weeks by standard ultrasound biometry followed by MRI at 1.5 T. Fetal fat volume was determined from T1‐weighted water‐suppressed images using a semi‐automated approach based on pixel intensity and taking into account partial volume effects. Fetal volume was also determined from the MRI images. Fetal weight was calculated using published fat and lean tissue densities.

Results

There was little fetal fat at 24 weeks' gestation, but at 34 weeks the fetal fat content was considerably higher in the women with diabetes, with a mean fat content of 1090 ± 417 cm3 compared with 541 ± 348 cm3 in the controls (P = 0.006). Measurements of fetal fat volume showed low intra‐ and interobserver variability at 34 weeks, with intraclass correlation coefficients consistently above 0.99. Birth‐weight centile correlated with fetal fat volume (R2 = 0.496, P < 0.001), percentage of fetal fat (R2 = 0.362, P = 0.008) and calculated fetal weight (R2 = 0.492, P < 0.001) at 34 weeks.

Conclusions

MRI appears to be a promising tool for the determination of fetal fat, body composition and weight in utero during the third trimester of pregnancy. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Characteristics of optimum falls prevention exercise programmes for community-dwelling older adults using the FITT principle
Authors: Power Valerie , Clifford Amanda M.
Published: January 2013

This review aims to identify the optimal exercise intervention characteristics for falls prevention among community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and over. Articles for inclusion were sourced by searching the Academic Search Premier, AMED, Biomedical Reference Collection: Expanded, CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE and SPORTDiscus databases with the key words ‘falls’, ‘prevention’, ‘exercise’ and ‘community’ and via reference lists of relevant articles. Only articles of level 1 or level 2 evidence (Howick et al. 2011) were included. Other inclusion criteria included recording falls incidence as an outcome measure, examining a community-dwelling population aged 60 years or over and implementing exercise as a single intervention in at least one group. Exercise programme characteristics from 31 articles were examined according to their frequency, intensity, time and type and their effects on falls incidence were reviewed. Exercising for a minimum of 1 h/week for at least 40 h over the course of an intervention is required to successfully reduce falls incidence. The optimal exercise frequency is three times per week, but the optimal duration per bout remains unclear. Specific balance training of sufficiently challenging intensity is a vital programme component, and strength training is most effective when combined with balance training. Flexibility and endurance training may also be included as part of a comprehensive programme. A combination of group and individual home exercise may be most effective for preventing falls and promoting exercise adherence.
Effects of milk and milk constituents on postprandial lipid and glucose metabolism in overweight and obese men
Authors: van Meijl Leonie E. C. , Mensink Ronald P.
Published: January 2013

Studies have suggested that two major milk constituents, casein and Ca, favourably affect postprandial responses. However, effects of milk on postprandial metabolism are unknown. We therefore investigated effects of using milk with a fat-containing meal on lipid and glucose responses in overweight men. To identify the constituent responsible for possible effects, we also studied responses to Ca and protein. A total of sixteen men (BMI >27 kg/m2) participated in four postprandial tests. They consumed a breakfast (44 g of fat) plus a drink: a control drink, low-fat milk or a protein and Ca drink (500 ml). Blood samples were taken before the meals and at regular time points during 6 h thereafter. Compared with control, the incremental AUC (iAUC) for serum TAG was increased by 44 % after the protein meal (P= 0·015). Although the iAUC were not different (P= 0·051), peak glucose concentrations were reduced by 24 % after protein intake, as compared with control (P= 0·021). The decrease of 18 % after milk intake did not reach statistical significance. Compared with the milk meal, the iAUC for insulin was 52 % lower after the control meal (P= 0·035) and 51 % after the protein meal (P= 0·005). The present results indicate that the intake of milk with a fat-containing meal enhances postprandial TAG and insulin responses and may blunt glucose increases. The protein fraction of milk seems to be the main determinant for the effects on TAG and glucose. Ca did not change any of the postprandial responses.
β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid reduces markers of exercise-induced muscle damage and improves recovery in resistance-trained men
Authors: Wilson Jacob M. , Lowery Ryan P. , Joy Jordan M. , Walters Joe A. , Baier Shawn M. , Fuller John C. , Stout Jeffrey R. , Norton Layne E. , Sikorski Eric M. , Wilson Stephanie M. C. , Duncan Nevine M. , Zanchi Nelo E. , Rathmacher John
Published: January 2013

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of short-term supplementation with the free acid form of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB-FA) on indices of muscle damage, protein breakdown, recovery and hormone status following a high-volume resistance training session in trained athletes. A total of twenty resistance-trained males were recruited to participate in a high-volume resistance training session centred on full squats, bench presses and dead lifts. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 3 g/d of HMB-FA or a placebo. Immediately before the exercise session and 48 h post-exercise, serum creatine kinase (CK), urinary 3-methylhistadine (3-MH), testosterone, cortisol and perceived recovery status (PRS) scale measurements were taken. The results showed that CK increased to a greater extent in the placebo (329 %) than in the HMB-FA group (104 %) (P= 0·004,d= 1·6). There was also a significant change for PRS, which decreased to a greater extent in the placebo (9·1 (sem0·4) to 4·6 (sem0·5)) than in the HMB-FA group (9·1 (sem0·3) to 6·3 (sem0·3)) (P= 0·005,d= − 0·48). Muscle protein breakdown, measured by 3-MH analysis, numerically decreased with HMB-FA supplementation and approached significance (P= 0·08,d= 0·12). There were no acute changes in plasma total or free testosterone, cortisol or C-reactive protein. In conclusion, these results suggest that an HMB-FA supplement given to trained athletes before exercise can blunt increases in muscle damage and prevent declines in perceived readiness to train following a high-volume, muscle-damaging resistance-training session.
Le Moi comme un objet intentionnel. Une sémantique de «je» sans engagement ontologique
Authors: Rebuschi Manuel
Published: January 2013

RÉSUMÉ : Les attitudes de se sont généralement considérées comme constituant une classe particulière d’attitudes de re. Cet article propose une analyse différente, qui s’appuie sur la notion d’attitude de objecto et qui évite un engagement ontologique envers le sujet. La proposition élabore l’idée de Hintikka d’une logique épistémique dite de seconde génération, qui introduit un marqueur syntaxique permettant d’exprimer des relations d’indépendance entre certaines constantes logiques. De cette sémantique résulte une conception du Moi, dénotation de «je», comme un objet simplement intentionnel.
Seroepidemiology of toxocariasis in a rural Tepehuanos population from Durango, Mexico
Authors: Alvarado-Esquivel C.
Published: January 2013

The epidemiology of toxocariasis in humans in Mexico has been poorly explored. There is a lack of information about toxocariasis in Tepehuanos, an indigenous ethnic group in Durango State in northern Mexico. Therefore, the presence of anti-Toxocara immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies was determined in 126 rural Tepehuanos using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Socio-demographic, clinical and behavioural data of the participants were also obtained. Of the 126 Tepehuanos assessed (mean age 32.46 ± 17.36 years), 33 (26.2%) had anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies. Multivariate analysis showed that Toxocara seropositivity was associated with unemployment (students and housewives) (odds ratio (OR) = 3.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25–7.47). Other socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics, including age, educational level, contact with animals or soil, consumption of unwashed raw fruits and vegetables or untreated water, were not associated with Toxocara seropositivity. Clinical data were similar in seropositive and seronegative Tepehuanos. These results indicate that Toxocara exposure is common among Tepehuanos but Toxocara does not appear to impact on the health of the population. This is the first report of toxocaral infection in Tepehuanos, and of an association of toxocariasis in adults with unemployment. Further research is needed to elucidate the routes of transmission of Toxocara in Tepehuanos, including the role of hygiene practices, canine and feline contacts, paratenic hosts and soil contamination with infective Toxocara eggs.
FAST CONVERGENCE RATES IN ESTIMATING LARGE VOLATILITY MATRICES USING HIGH-FREQUENCY FINANCIAL DATA
Authors: Tao Minjing , Wang Yazhen , Chen Xiaohong
Published: January 2013

Financial practices often need to estimate an integrated volatility matrix of a large number of assets using noisy high-frequency data. Many existing estimators of a volatility matrix of small dimensions become inconsistent when the size of the matrix is close to or larger than the sample size. This paper introduces a new type of large volatility matrix estimator based on nonsynchronized high-frequency data, allowing for the presence of microstructure noise. When both the number of assets and the sample size go to infinity, we show that our new estimator is consistent and achieves a fast convergence rate, where the rate is optimal with respect to the sample size. A simulation study is conducted to check the finite sample performance of the proposed estimator.
‘Are you a Billy, or a Dan, or an old tin can?’: street violence and relations between Catholics, Jews and Protestants in the Gorbals during the inter-war years
Authors: TAYLOR AVRAM
Published: January 2013

This article makes use of memoirs, autobiographies and oral interviews in order to consider the relations between the Catholic, Jewish and Protestant communities in the Gorbals. While there was considerable variation in individual experience, there were also particular occasions where inter-ethnic relations were all too predictable, almost following a ‘calendar of conflict’. The article shows that, while there was a degree of anti-Semitism in the area, integration between the Jewish and non-Jewish residents of the district was facilitated by a number of factors. Ultimately, anti-Semitism was mediated through the sectarian rivalry, which was the dominant religious conflict in the city.
BMR in a Brazilian adult probability sample: the Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health Survey
Authors: Anjos Luiz A , Wahrlich Vivian , Vasconcellos Mauricio TL
Published: January 2013

Objective

To measure BMR in a probability sample of adults from an urban city of Brazil and to compare indirectly measured BMR (BMRi) with BMR predicted from different equations.

Design

BMR data were obtained by indirect calorimetry and estimated by different predictive equations (Schofield; Harris and Benedict; Henry and Rees). Anthropometric and body composition measures were also obtained.

Setting

The Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health Survey (PNAFS), a household survey conducted in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil.

Subjects

Representative sample of 529 adults (aged ≥20 years; 339 females) living in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil.

Results

Mean BMRi values were 5839·7 (se 73·9) kJ/d and 4758·1 (se 39·5) kJ/d for men and women, respectively. Predicted BMR by all equations was significantly higher (difference between means and 95 % CI did not include zero) than BMRi in both men and women of all ages. Overall bias in BMR (predicted BMR minus BMRi) using the Schofield equations (overestimation of about 20 %) was higher than when using the Henry and Rees equations (13 % and 16 % overestimation for males and females, respectively). The percentage of individuals whose BMR predicted by the Schofield equations fell within 10 % of BMRi was very low (7·8 % and 14·1 % of males and females, respectively).

Conclusions

Current available predictive equations of BMR are not adequate to estimate BMR in Brazilians living in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
FIB Preparation of a NiO Wedge-Lamella and STEM X-Ray Microanalysis for the Determination of the Experimental k(O-Ni) Cliff-Lorimer Coefficient
Authors: Armigliato Aldo , Frabboni Stefano , Gazzadi Gian Carlo , Rosa Rodolfo
Published: January 2013

A method for the fabrication of a wedge-shaped thin NiO lamella by focused ion beam is reported. The starting sample is an oxidized bulk single crystalline, ⟨100⟩ oriented, Ni commercial standard. The lamella is employed for the determination, by analytical electron microscopy at 200 kV of the experimental k(O-Ni) Cliff-Lorimer (G. Cliff & G.W. Lorimer, J Microsc103, 203–207, 1975) coefficient, according to the extrapolation method by Van Cappellen (E. Van Cappellen, Microsc Microstruct Microanal1, 1–22, 1990). The result thus obtained is compared to the theoretical k(O-Ni) values either implemented into the commercial software for X-ray microanalysis quantification of the scanning transmission electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometry equipment or calculated by the Monte Carlo method. Significant differences among the three values are found. This confirms that for a reliable quantification of binary alloys containing light elements, the choice of the Cliff-Lorimer coefficients is crucial and experimental values are recommended.
DEMOCRACY IS NOT A TRUTH MACHINE
Authors: Wells Thomas
Published: January 2013

In a democracy people are free to express their opinions and question those of others. This is an important personal freedom, and also essential to the very idea of government by discussion. But it has also been held to be instrumentally important because in open public debate true ideas will conquer false ones by their merit, and the people will see the truth for themselves. In other words, democracy has an epistemic function as a kind of truth machine. From this it follows that in a democracy there should be no dogma: no knowledge protected from public challenge and debate. Yet this whole argument is founded on embarrassing misconceptions of the nature of truth and of the working of democracy.
Rise of the planet
Authors: Jacobs Howy
Published: January 2013

Despite early failures, somatic gene therapy has recently shown renewed promise. Howy suggests that the day may come when germline gene therapy needs also to be reconsidered.