bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small‐scale spatial autocorrelation in plant communities: the effects of spatial grain and measure of abundance, with an improved sampling scheme
Authors: Roe Cailin M. , Parker Graham C. , Korsten Annika C. , Lister Christina J. , Weatherall Sam B. , Lawrence Lodge Rachael H.E. , Bastow Wilson J.
Published: December 2011

Questions

How does the spatial structure of plant communities vary with the spatial grain and with the measure of species presence used? How can communities most efficiently be sampled for spatial autocorrelation?

Location

Four communities – riverbed, bog, ultramafic shrubland/herbfield and forest – in southwest New Zealand.

Methods

Each site was sampled over an extent of ca. 120 m at seven spatial grains, from 0.0025 to 25 m2, using an innovative triangular sampling scheme. At the 1‐m2 grain, species abundances (local frequencies) were recorded, as well as presence/absence.

Results

The percentage variation in species composition explained by distance, i.e. by spatial autocorrelation, was higher at larger grain. However, it reached a maximum of only 15%. The nugget – the Y‐intercept of the dissimilarity/distance relation – has been seen as a measure of randomness in community composition. It was generally about 0.5 dissimilarity on a 0–1 scale, although values in the range 0.7–0.8 were found at smaller grain sizes in the forest. The 90% distance, i.e. the distance at which dissimilarity reaches 90% of its final value, was interpretable only for the two sites where spatial autocorrelation was strong, but gave realistic estimates. Unsurprisingly, some parameter estimates were unrealistic when the fits were poor. Abundance information added nothing to the ability of distance to predict dissimilarity.

Conclusion

The strength of spatial autocorrelation rose with increasing grain, to a low value but one congruent with the few comparable studies in the literature. That is, control of species composition seemed to be at the larger grain sizes sampled, rather than at a very fine scale. Strong spatial autocorrelation has been reported only over large extents, over environmental heterogeneity and/or when examining one guild within a community. The nugget was generally somewhat lower than other values in the literature, indicating less randomness. The lack of increased spatial community predictability when including species abundances conforms to the majority of previous studies, suggesting that the primary community control is on the presence of species, not their abundance. However, the differences in spatial autocorrelation between the four sites sampled emphasize that comparative studies using consistent methods are needed. The triangular sampling scheme used here was rapid, accurate, and efficient in its distribution of distances.
Molecular chaperones in targeting misfolded proteins for ubiquitin‐dependent degradation
Authors: Kriegenburg Franziska , Ellgaard Lars , Hartmann‐Petersen Rasmus
Published: December 2011

The accumulation of misfolded proteins presents a considerable threat to the health of individual cells and has been linked to severe diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. Considering that, in nature, cells often are exposed to stress conditions that may lead to aberrant protein conformational changes, it becomes clear that they must have an efficient quality control apparatus to refold or destroy misfolded proteins. In general, cells rely on molecular chaperones to seize and refold misfolded proteins. If the native state is unattainable, misfolded proteins are targeted for degradation via the ubiquitin–proteasome system. The specificity of this proteolysis is generally provided by E3 ubiquitin–protein ligases, hundreds of which are encoded in the human genome. However, rather than binding the misfolded proteins directly, most E3s depend on molecular chaperones to recognize the misfolded protein substrate. Thus, by delegating substrate recognition to chaperones, E3s deftly utilize a pre‐existing cellular system for selectively targeting misfolded proteins. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the interplay between molecular chaperones and the ubiquitin–proteasome system in the cytosol, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria.
Ser/ Thr residues at α3/β5 loop of Gαs are important in morphine‐induced adenylyl cyclase sensitization but not mitogen‐activated protein kinase phosphorylation
Authors: Seyedabadi Mohammad , Ostad Seyed Nasser , Albert Paul R. , Dehpour Ahmad R. , Rahimian Reza , Ghazi‐Khansari Mahmoud , Ghahremani Mohammad H.
Published: December 2011

The signaling switch of β2‐adrenergic and μ1‐opioid receptors from stimulatory G‐protein (Gαs) to inhibitory G‐protein (Gαi) (and vice versa) influences adenylyl cyclase (AC) and extracellular‐regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 activation. Post‐translational modifications, including dephosphorylation of Gαs, enhance opioid receptor coupling to Gαs. In the present study, we substituted the Ser/Thr residues of Gαs at the α3/β5 and α4/β6 loops aiming to study the role of Gαs lacking Ser/Thr phosphorylation with respect to AC sensitization and mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation. Isoproterenol increased the cAMP concentration (EC50 = 22.8 ± 3.4 μm) in Gαs‐transfected S49 cyc− cells but not in nontransfected cells. However, there was no significant difference between the Gαs‐wild‐type (wt) and mutants. Morphine (10 μm) inhibited AC activity more efficiently in cyc− compared to Gαs‐wt introduced cells (P < 0.05); however, we did not find a notable difference between Gαs‐wt and mutants. Interestingly, Gαs‐wt transfected cells showed more sensitization with respect to AC after chronic morphine compared to nontransfected cells (101 ± 12% versus 34 ± 6%; P < 0.001); μ1‐opioid receptor interacted with Gαs, and both co‐immunoprecipitated after chronic morphine exposure. Furthermore, mutation of T270A and S272A (P < 0.01), as well as T270A, S272A and S261A (P < 0.05), in α3/β5, resulted in a higher level of AC supersensitization. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was rapidly induced by isoproterenol (by 9.5 ± 2.4‐fold) and morphine (22 ± 2.2‐fold) in Gαs‐transfected cells; mutations of α3/β5 and α4/β6 did not affect the pattern or extent of mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation. The findings of the present study show that Gαs interacts with the μ1‐opioid receptor, and the Ser/Thr mutation to Ala at the α3/β5 loop of Gαs enhances morphine‐induced AC sensitization. In addition, Gαs was required for the rapid phosphorylation of ERK1/2 by isoproterenol but not morphine.

Structured digital abstract

 oprm1 physically interacts with Gsalphas by antibait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)

 Gsalphas physically interacts with oprm1 by antitag coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)
Transepithelial Transport of 4‐Chloro‐2‐Methylphenoxyacetic Acid (MCPA) across Human Intestinal Caco‐2 Cell Monolayers
Authors: Kimura Osamu , Tsukagoshi Kensuke , Hayasaka Moriaki , Endo Tetsuya
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Mechanisms of transcellular transport of 4‐chloro‐2‐methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) across the small intestine were investigated using Caco‐2 cells cultured on permeable membranes. The cell monolayers were incubated with MCPA, either from apical side at pH 6.0 or 7.4, or basolateral side at pH 7.4. The accumulation and apical‐to‐basolateral transport of MCPA were markedly stimulated by the acidic pH on the apical side (inwardly directed H+ gradient), dependent on metabolic energy and inhibited by co‐incubation with acetic acid or benzoic acid. Without the H+ gradient, on the other hand, the basolateral‐to‐apical transport of MCPA (secretory transport) was higher than the apical‐to‐basolateral transport (absorptive transport), although the secretory transport of MCPA was markedly lower than the absorptive transport under the H+ gradient. Co‐incubation of MCPA with probenecid from the basolateral side significantly inhibited the accumulation and transport of MCPA, whereas co‐incubation with p‐aminohippuric acid did not. These results suggest that the absorptive transport of MCPA is mediated by H+‐linked monocarboxylic acid transporters expressed on the apical membranes, while secretory transport is mediated by a probenecid‐sensitive transporter expressed on the basolateral membranes of Caco‐2 cell monolayers.
Ecogeographic structure of phenotypic diversity in cultivated populations of quinoa from Northwest Argentina
Authors: Curti R.N. , Andrade A.J. , Bramardi S. , Velásquez B. , Daniel Bertero H.
Published: December 2011

A set of 34 quinoa populations from the Northwest Argentina region was characterised using quantitative and qualitative phenotypic traits in an experiment conducted in the province of Jujuy, Argentina. A selection of quinoa descriptors from the Bioversity International (former IBPGR) list was applied, and data were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate techniques. Morphological and phenological traits variation was observed among accessions collected in contrasted ecogeographic zones of this Andean region. On the basis of quantitative traits, both the principal component analysis and the Cluster Analysis differentiated between accessions from the highlands, transition zone, central dry valleys and eastern valleys. On the other hand, the principal coordinates analysis based on qualitative traits only discriminated accessions from transition zone and eastern valleys. The correlation between both characterisations was fairly low suggesting that individual characterisations offer information that can be complementary. The accessions from the highlands and dry valleys presented the more advanced domesticated traits, while accessions from transition zone and eastern valleys showed traits more similar to wild‐type related Chenopods from the Andean region. These differences are discussed on the basis of previous hypotheses about the domestication and crop diffusion processes from the southern Andes suggested for this species.
Toxic activity of a protein complex purified from Xenorhabdus nematophila HB310 to Plutella xylostella larvae
Authors: Wang Qin‐Ying , Nangong Zi‐Yan , Yang Jun , Song Ping , Wang Yi , Cui Liwang , Cui Long
Published: December 2011

Abstract  Xenorhabdus nematophila, a Gram‐negative proteobacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae and associated symbiotically with soil entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema carpocapsae, is pathogenic to a wide range of insects. A protein complex with insecticidal activity was isolated from the cells of X. nematophila HB310 strain using methods of salting out and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Seven polypeptides ranging 50∼250 kDa were well separated from the protein complex (named Xnpt) by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)‐PAGE, five of which are identified as XptA2, xptC1, XptB1, GroEL and hypothetical protein by matrix‐assisted laser desorption‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOFMS). Xnpt showed high oral virulence to larvae of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae) as its median lethal concentration (LC50) against second and third instar larvae were 331.45 ng/mL and 553.59 ng/mL at 72 h, respectively. The histological analysis of Xnpt‐fed DBM larvae showed extensive histopathological effects on the midgut. Biochemical analysis indicated that Xnpt markedly inhibited the activities of three important enzymes in the midgut. Overall, our data showed that the protein complex isolated from X. nematophila HB310 induced the antifeedant and death of insects by destroying midgut tissues and inhibiting midgut proteases activities.
Geographic variation in photoperiodic diapause induction and diapause intensity in Sericinus montelus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Ping , Yang Qiu‐Sheng , Dalin Peter , Zhou Xing‐Miao , Luo Zhi‐Wen , Lei Chao‐Liang
Published: December 2011

Abstract  Due to the risk of extinction and ornamental value of the swallowtail butterfly, Sericinus montelus Gray (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) in China, knowledge about local adaptations is important for the conservation and economical utilization of the species. In the present study, photoperiodic diapause induction and diapause intensity of S. montelus populations from Jiamusi (46°37′N), Beijing (40°15′N), Zibo (36°48′N), Fangxian (32°36′N), Wuhan (30°33′N) and Huaihua (27°33′N) were characterized at 25°C. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant population × hours of light interaction, confirming that photoperiodic responses varied among populations. The critical photoperiod was positively correlated with latitude and increased toward the north at a rate of about 1 h for each 6.67 degrees of latitude. Survival analyses indicated that survival time of diapausing pupae before adult eclosion differed significantly among populations at 25°C and 16 : 8 L : D h. The mean duration of pupal diapause was also positively correlated with latitude. Our study reveals geographic variation in the critical photoperiod for diapause induction and in diapause intensity of S. montelus. These results provide useful information for our general understanding about seasonal adaptation in insects and may also be used to predict how geographic populations respond to climate warming.
Behavioral responses for evaluating the attractiveness of specific tea shoot volatiles to the tea green leafhopper, Empoaca vitis
Authors: Mu Dan , Cui Lin , Ge Jian , Wang Meng‐Xin , Liu Li‐Fang , Yu Xiao‐Ping , Zhang Qing‐He , Han Bao‐Yu
Published: December 2011

Abstract  The tea green leafhopper, Empoasca vitis Göthe, is one of the most serious insect pests of tea plantations in mainland China. Over the past decades, this pest has been controlled mainly by spraying pesticides. Insecticide applications not only have become less effective in controlling damage, but even more seriously, have caused high levels of toxic residues in teas, which ultimately threatens human health. Therefore, we should seek a safer biological control approach. In the present study, key components of tea shoot volatiles were identified and behaviorally tested as potential leafhopper attractants. The following 13 volatile compounds were identified from aeration samples of tea shoots using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS): (E)‐2‐hexenal, (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol, (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate, 2‐ethyl‐1‐hexanol, (E)‐ocimene, linalool, nonanol, (Z)‐butanoic acid, 3‐hexenyl ester, decanal, tetradecane, β‐caryophyllene, geraniol and hexadecane. In Y‐tube olfactometer tests, the following individual compounds were identified: (E)‐2‐hexenal, (E)‐ocimene, (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate and linalool, as well as two synthetic mixtures (called blend 1 and blend 2) elicited significant taxis, with blend 2 being the most attractive. Blend 1 included linalool, (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol and (E)‐2‐hexenal at a 1 : 1 : 1 ratio, whereas blend 2 was a mixture of eight compounds at the same loading ratio: (E)‐2‐hexenal, (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol, (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate, 2‐penten‐1‐ol, (E)‐2‐pentenal, pentanol, hexanol and 1‐penten‐3‐ol. In tea fields, the bud‐green sticky board traps baited with blend 2, (E)‐2‐hexenal or hexane captured adults and nymphs of the leafhoppers, with blend 2 being the most attractive, followed by (E)‐2‐hexenal and hexane. Placing sticky traps baited with blend 2 or (E)‐2‐hexenal in the tea fields significantly reduced leafhopper populations. Our results indicate that the bud‐green sticky traps baited with tea shoot volatiles can provide a new tool for monitoring and managing the tea leafhopper.
Adjoint Simulation of Stream Depletion Due to Aquifer Pumping
Authors: Neupauer Roseanna M. , Griebling Scott A.
Published: December 2011

If an aquifer is hydraulically connected to an adjacent stream, a pumping well operating in the aquifer will draw some water from aquifer storage and some water from the stream, causing stream depletion. Several analytical, semi‐analytical, and numerical approaches have been developed to estimate stream depletion due to pumping. These approaches are effective if the well location is known. If a new well is to be installed, it may be desirable to install the well at a location where stream depletion is minimal. If several possible locations are considered for the location of a new well, stream depletion would have to be estimated for all possible well locations, which can be computationally inefficient. The adjoint approach for estimating stream depletion is a more efficient alternative because with one simulation of the adjoint model, stream depletion can be estimated for pumping at a well at any location. We derive the adjoint equations for a coupled system with a confined aquifer, an overlying unconfined aquifer, and a river that is hydraulically connected to the unconfined aquifer. We assume that the stage in the river is known, and is independent of the stream depletion, consistent with the assumptions of the MODFLOW river package. We describe how the adjoint equations can be solved using MODFLOW. In an illustrative example, we show that for this scenario, the adjoint approach is as accurate as standard forward numerical simulation methods, and requires substantially less computational effort.
Morgan Stanley Roundtable on The State of Global Private Equity
Authors: Kaplan Steve , Ferenbach Carl , Bingle Mike , Lipschultz Marc , Canfield Phil , Jones Alan
Published: December 2011

In this discussion led by Alan Jones, Morgan Stanley's head of Global Private Equity, the University of Chicago's Steve Kaplan begins by surveying 25 years of academic research on private equity. Starting with Kaplan's own Ph.D. dissertation on leveraged buyouts during the 1980s, finance academics have provided a large and growing body of studies documenting the ability of private equity firms to make “sustainable” (that is, maintained over a three‐ or four‐year period) improvements in the operating performance of their portfolio companies, whether operating abroad or in the U.S.

Even more impressive, the findings of Kaplan's new study (with Tim Jenkinson of Oxford and Bob Harris of the University of Virginia) suggest that these improvements have been large enough to enable PE funds raised between 1990 and 2008 to deliver returns to their limited partners that have averaged 300 to 400 basis points higher per year than the returns to the S&P 500. And given the “persistence” of PE fund returns—the tendency of the funds of the same PE firms to show up in the top quartile of performers year after year—that Kaplan has documented in earlier work, the performance of private equity seems notably different from that of mutual funds and hedge funds, where there has been little if any consistency in the returns provided by the top performers.

Following Kaplan's overview of the research, four representatives of today's leading private equity firms explore questions like the following:

How do the best PE firms, after paying premiums to acquire their portfolio companies and collecting large management fees, provide such consistently high returns to their limited partners?

How did PE portfolio companies perform during the last recession, when many popular business publications were predicting the death of private equity—and what, if anything, does that tell us about how private equity adds value?

What can PE firms do to avoid, or at least limit the damage from, the overpricing and overleveraging that tend to occur near the end of the boom‐and‐bust cycle that appears to be a permanent feature of private equity?

As Jones notes in his opening comments, the practitioners' answers to such questions “should help investors distinguish between the alpha that the firms represented at this table have generated through active management from the ‘closet beta’ that critics say results when private equity firms simply create what amounts to a levered bet on the public equity markets.”
An Empirical Model of Optimal Capital Structure1
Authors: van Binsbergen Jules H. , Graham John R. , Yang Jie
Published: December 2011

The authors provide a reasonably user‐friendly and intuitive model for arriving at a company's optimal, or value‐maximizing, leverage ratio that is based on the estimation of company‐specific cost and benefit functions for debt financing. The benefit functions are downward‐sloping, reflecting the drop in the incremental value of debt with increases in the amount used. The cost functions are upward‐sloping, reflecting the increase in costs associated with increases in leverage. The cost functions vary among companies in ways that reflect differences in corporate characteristics such as size, profitability, dividend policy, book‐to‐market ratio, and asset collateral and redeployability.

The authors use these cost and benefit functions to produce an estimate of a company's optimal amount of debt. Just as equilibrium in economics textbooks occurs where supply equals demand, optimal capital structure occurs at the point where the marginal benefit of debt equals the marginal cost. The article illustrates optimal debt choices for companies such as Barnes & Noble, Coca‐Cola, Six Flags, and Performance Food Group. The authors also estimate the net benefit of debt usage (in terms of the increase in firm or enterprise value) for companies that are optimally levered, as well as the net cost of being underleveraged for companies with too little debt, and the cost of overleveraging for companies with too much. One critical insight of the model is that the costs associated with overleveraging appear to be significantly higher, at least for some companies, than the costs of being underleveraged.
Transport Characteristics of Endomorphin‐2 Analogues in Brain Capillary Endothelial Cells
Authors: Mallareddy Jayapal Reddy , Tóth Géza , Fazakas Csilla , Molnár Judit , Nagyőszi Péter , Lipkowski Andrzej W. , Krizbai István A. , Wilhelm Imola
Published: December 2011

Because of their poor metabolic stability and limited blood–brain barrier permeability, endomorphins have a low analgesic efficacy when administered systemically. Therefore, it is of great importance to design analogues with improved peptidase resistance and better delivery to the central nervous system. Recently, novel endomorphin‐2 analogues have been synthesized, which proved to bind with high affinity and selectivity to the μ‐opioid receptors and showed proteolytic resistance. In this study, we have analysed the transport characteristics of endomorphin‐2 and three of its analogues [Dmt‐Pro‐Phe‐Phe‐NH2, Tyr‐(1S,2R)Acpc‐Phe‐Phe‐NH2and Tyr‐(1S,2R)Achc‐Phe‐Phe‐NH2] using anin vitroblood–brain barrier model. The lipophilicity of the analogues, as assessed by their octanol/water partition coefficients, was higher than that of endomorphin‐2. The flux of all four peptides from the apical (blood) side to the basolateral (brain) side was not saturable in the 10 nm–1 mmconcentration range, suggesting that a passive mechanism plays a major role in their transport. The permeability coefficient of the analogues was significantly higher than that of endomorphin‐2, suggesting increased blood–brain barrier penetration properties. We conclude that because of their good peptidase resistance and improved transport through brain endothelial cells, these endomorphin‐2 analogues will have better analgesic propertiesin vivo.
In Silico and In Vitro Immunomodulatory Studies on Compounds of Lindelofia stylosa
Authors: Mesaik M. Ahmed , Jabeen Almas , Halim Sobia A. , Begum Afshan , Khalid A. Shukralla , Asif Muhammad , Fatima Beenish , Ul‐Haq Zaheer , Choudhary M. Iqbal
Published: December 2011

Lindolefia stylosa (Kar. and Kir.) is an important medicinal plant in Central and West Asia. Compounds 1 (ethyl lithospermate), 2 (methyl lithospermate), 3 (lithospermate B), 4 (rosmarinic acid), 5 (methyl rosmarinate), 6 (ethyl rosmarinate), 7 (3‐O‐feruloyl‐6′‐O‐coumaroyl sucrose), 8 (3‐O‐feruloyl‐6′‐O‐caffeoyl sucrose), 9 (3,6′‐O‐diferuloyl sucrose), 10 (3,6′‐O‐diferuloyl‐1‐kestose), 11 (3‐O‐feruloyl‐6′‐O‐coumaroyl‐1‐kestose), 12 (3,6′‐O‐diferuloyl nystose), 13 (3‐O‐Feruloyl‐6′‐O‐coumaroyl nystose), 14 (p‐coumaric acid), 15 (ferulic acid), 16 (naphthalene glycoside (8‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside)), and 17 (4′‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐6,7‐methylenedioxyisoflavone), isolated from this plant, were evaluated for their ability to modulate the immune response. Studies included monitoring the effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, T‐lymphocyte proliferation, and inhibition of four cytokines (IL‐2, TNFα, IL‐1β, and IL‐4). These cytokines play a major role in immune response modulation. Molecular docking studies on selected compounds were also conducted, which predict a potent activity of compounds 5 and 6 and moderate activity of compounds 1 and 2 as inhibitors of IL‐2. Correlation between the predicted binding scores and the experimental results was found to be valid. Compound 5 was identified as the most potent IL‐2 inhibitor in the series.
Exception to Excess: Tactical Use of the Law by Outgroups in Bias Crime Legislation
Authors: Robertson Sean
Published: December 2011

US bias crime jurisprudence follows the discrimination model and ejects “hate” from scrutiny. It is suggestive of improvements that should be made to Canadian law insofar as it also better tracks the enactment of discrimination against difference occasioned in the everyday. Criminal law, however, remains weak at preventing crime. And where the law requires evidence of discrimination, it iterates the stereotypes and social backdrop of hate crime. But this view on law and culture underestimates how outgroups may produce countermeanings and influence the law. Turning to the more material basis of identity, neoconservatism has given the law a broad ambit whereby coercion as opposed to investment in human capacities is promoted as the means to social order. Where scholars argue that discursive collaboration with retributionist policy requires outgroups to pursue cultural revalorization, given the decreasing freedom under the contemporary authoritarian paradigm, I argue that they must also pursue distributional justice.
Systematic review of descriptive studies that investigated associated factors with the management of incontinence in older people in care homes
Authors: Roe Brenda , Flanagan Lisa , Jack Barbara , Shaw Christine , Williams Kate , Chung Alan , Barrett James
Published: December 2011

Background.  Incontinence is prevalent among older populations and residents in care homes.

Aim and objectives.  This paper is a review of descriptive studies that investigated associated factors related to managing urinary incontinence in older people in care homes. A systematic literature review was undertaken. MEDLINE and CINHAL were searched from 1996–2010 using the Cochrane Incontinence Review Group search strings for urinary and faecal incontinence including all research designs.

Results.  Sixteen studies were identified that reported on associated factors related to comorbidities, management preferences, policies, staff views and knowledge or methodological studies. Non‐invasive methods involving toileting and use of pads were common management approaches. No studies aimed at maintaining continence were identified.

Conclusions.  Factors associated with incontinence need to also be considered when planning and managing care for individuals, and developing and designing systems of care within care homes. Further study in care home populations to change or inform practice and provide effective care is warranted. Preventive studies that maintain continence are required.

Implications for practice.  Older people and their families should be involved with decisions regarding their preferred care, goals, management and outcomes for managing incontinence, promoting or maintaining continence.
Structural and Antioxidant Modification of Wheat Peptides Modified by the Heat and Lipid Peroxidation Product Malondialdehyde
Authors: Tang Xue , Wu Qiuping , Le Guowei , Wang Jiao , Yin Kaijian , Shi Yonghui
Published: December 2011

Abstract:  Wheat peptides, the biological active peptides derived from foods, has an array of biological actions, including antiobesity, antimicrobial, and angiotensin I‐converting enzyme inhibitory effects in mammalian species. Recent studies showed that some wheat peptides may show the noteworthy antioxidant potency against the peroxidation of lipids or fatty acids, but the effect of oxidation on its antioxidant activities is unclear. In the present study, we demonstrate that heat and malandialdehyde (MDA)‐oxidized wheat peptides lose its surface hydrophobicity and reducing power, and show a relatively lower free radical‐scavenging activitiy in vitro. Those modifications also lead to gradual formation of aggregates in wheat peptides and induce more reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in vivo. These findings indicate that oxidation may influence the functional properties and directly alter the structure of wheat peptides, and lead to the loss of its antioxidant potency both in vitro and in vivo, thereby providing a novel explanation for some of the potential health risks proposed for oxidized food in human.
Confectionery Coating with an Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) System
Authors: Marthina Kumala , Barringer Sheryl A.
Published: December 2011

Abstract:  In the confectionery coating industry, hard butters are frequently used as cocoa butter replacers. An electrohydrodynamic (EHD) system, which forms fine droplets with a relatively narrow size distribution, may be beneficial in confectionery coating to produce more even coverage. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of lecithin content and fat type on electrical resistivity and apparent viscosity, and the effect of these variables under EHD (25kV) and non‐EHD coating on droplet size, width of coating area, thickness, and minimum flow rate to produce complete coverage. Total of 3 different types of fat were used: cocoa butter, cocoa butter equivalent, and lauric butter. As lecithin content increased, resistivity and apparent viscosity decreased, except all samples showed a local apparent viscosity minimum at 0.5% lecithin. EHD coating was more efficient than non‐EHD as a smaller droplet size and thinner coating was formed. Due to repulsive forces between the like‐charges on the droplets during EHD, it spread over wider areas which lead to a higher minimum flow rate to get complete coverage. Under EHD, increasing resistivity significantly increased the droplet size, but only at the highest resistivities. There was no correlation between resistivity and droplet size or width of coating under non‐EHD. The width of coating under EHD decreased significantly as resistivity increased. Thickness and minimum flow rate to produce complete coverage, significantly correlated to resistivity, for EHD coating, and to apparent viscosity, for 2 of the 3 fat types during both EHD and non‐EHD.

Practical Application:  Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) spraying offers great potential improvement to the food industry especially in the confectionery area. From the quality point of view, EHD offers greater and more complete coverage than non‐EHD coating. From the economic point of view, lower cost can be achieved for coated food because during EHD, smaller droplet size and thinner coating is produced.
Monitoring Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation Inactivation of Cronobacter sakazakii in Dry Infant Formula Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Qian , Lu Xiaonan , Swanson Barry G. , Rasco Barbara A. , Kang Dong‐Hyun
Published: December 2011

Abstract:  Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic pathogen associated with dry infant formula presenting a high risk to low birth weight neonates. The inactivation of C. sakazakii in dry infant formula by ultraviolet (UV) radiation alone and combined with hot water treatment at temperatures of 55, 60, and 65 °C were applied in this study. UV radiation with doses in a range from 12.1 ± 0.30 kJ/m2 to 72.8 ± 1.83 kJ/m2 at room temperature demonstrated significant inactivation of C. sakazakii in dry infant formula (P < 0.05). UV radiation combining 60 °C hot water treatment increased inactivation of C. sakazakii cells significantly (P < 0.05) in reconstituted infant formula. Significant effects of UV radiation on C. sakazakii inactivation kinetics (D value) were not observed in infant formula reconstituted in 55 and 65 °C water (P > 0.05). The inactivation mechanism was investigated using vibrational spectroscopy. Infrared spectroscopy detected significant stretching mode changes of macromolecules on the basis of spectral features, such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. Minor changes on cell membrane composition of C. sakazakii under UV radiation could be accurately and correctly monitored by infrared spectroscopy coupled with 2nd derivative transformation and principal component analysis.
Comparison of Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Commercially Available Blueberry and Blackberry Wines in Illinois
Authors: Johnson Michelle H. , Gonzalez de Mejia Elvira
Published: December 2011

Abstract:  Moderate wine consumption may reduce the incidence of certain age‐related chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, metabolic disease, and neurodegenerative disease. Blueberry and blackberry wines commercially available in Illinois were evaluated for chemical and quality components relevant to consumers in order to study their potential health benefits. Total polyphenolic content was measured by the Folin–Ciocalteu method, total anthocyanin content by the pH differential test, and in vitro antioxidant capacity (AC) by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method. Color was measured using Hunter colorimetry and quality parameters including pH, °Brix, acid content, glucose–fructose, and percent alcohol were measured using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Blackberry wines (n= 6) had an average total polyphenolic content of 2212.5 ± 1090.3 mg ellagic acid equivalents (EAE) per liter, total anthocyanin content of 75.56 ± 70.44 mg/L, and AC of 26.39 ± 17.95 mmol trolox equivalents (TEs) per liter. Blueberry wines (n= 4) had an average total polyphenolic content of 1623.3 ± 645.5 mg EAE per liter, total anthocyanin content of 20.82 ± 12.14 mg/L, and AC of 21.21 ± 7.71 mmol TE per liter. Strong positive correlations were found between °Brix and glucose–fructose concentration (r= 0.90), total acid and malic acid (r= 0.90), and between total polyphenols and AC (r= 0.88). The results suggest that fruit wines made from blueberries and blackberries may have potential health applications and therefore could contribute to the economy of the wine industry.

Practical Application:  The majority of wines are produced from grapes, but wine can also be produced from other fruits including blueberries and blackberries, which contain phenolic compounds that may contribute to human health. A comparative evaluation was conducted on commercial nongrape fruit wines and parameters related to their health benefits. Fruit wines made from blueberries and blackberries may have potential health applications and therefore could contribute to the economy of the wine industry.
Effect of Antioxidant Activity and Functional Properties of Chingshey Purple Sweet Potato Fermented Milk by Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis, and L. gasseri Strains
Authors: Wu Tsung‐Yen , Tsai Cheng‐Chih , Hwang Yi‐Ting , Chiu Tsai‐Hsin
Published: December 2011

Abstract:  In this study, individual selected lactic acid bacteria strains Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA), L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis (LDL), and L. gasseri (LGA) were grown in Chingshey purple sweet potato (CPSP) substrate/media. CPSP is rich in anthocyanin, which possesses antioxidant activity and in vitro cell assay. The antioxidant ability and functional properties of the fermented milk were examined. High‐performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was used to analyze the free amino acid, organic acids, and anthocyanin content. Total phenolic compounds, scavenging effects of 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picyl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, and scavenging effects of superoxide anion radicals were determined to evaluate the antioxidant ability of the samples. The cell proliferation of the fermented PSP milk was evaluated by 3‐(4,5‐dimethyldiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5 diphenyl Tetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay. The result indicated that the antioxidant ability of the fermented CPSP milk through LA, LDL, and LGA strains was significantly higher than CPSP. The main anthocyanins present in the samples are cyanidin and delphinidin. MTT assay has revealed that incubation with both PSP and fermented CPSP milk prevented the cell death of macrophage‐like RAW264.7 cells. The potential health benefit of fermented PSP milk through LA, LDL, and LGA strains makes the further application of CPSP in health food highly worthwhile.

Practical Application:  (1) In our study, we have employed the γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), organic acid contents, total phenol content, anthocyanins content, DPPH, oxygen radical absorbance capacity, superoxide dismutase activity assay, and cytotoxicity assay to assess the functional properties of fermented CPSP milk by different lactic acid bacteria. (2) Our results have revealed that the fermented CPSP milk samples possess high GABA concentrations, organic acid contents, anthocyanins contents, and antioxidant activity. This will provide potential opportunity to develop different functional food products from fermented CPSP milk. (3) The potential health benefit of fermented CPSP milk makes the further application of CPSP in health food highly worthwhile.
In3+‐doped TiO2 and TiO2/In2S3 Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic and Stoichiometric Degradations
Authors: Štengl Václav , Opluštil František , Němec Tomáš
Published: December 2011

A novel In3+‐doped TiO2 and TiO2/In2S3 nanocomposites for photocatalytic degradation of environmental pollutants and stoichiometric degradation of warfare agents were prepared by a homogeneous hydrolysis with urea and thioacetamide, respectively. The prepared samples series TiInTAA were annealed at 600°C. The prepared samples were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, specific surface area (BET) and porosity determination. The method of UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was employed to estimate band‐gap energies. The photocatalytic activity (PCA) was tested by degradation of Orange dye, whereas stoichiometric activity was studied by degradation of sulfur mustard. Incorporation of In3+ into titania lattice increases PCA of TiO2 in the visible light and increases stoichiometric decomposition of sulfur mustard against nondoped TiO2 as well. PCA of TiO2/In2S3 composite depends on the optimal ratio of TiO2:In2S3 in composite, while the activity for stoichiometric decomposition of sulfur mustards depends on the content of In2S3 in nanocomposite.
Evidence‐Based Hypertension Treatment in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Garcia‐Touza Mariana , Sowers James R.
Published: December 2011

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;00:00–00. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Both impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes are associated with substantially increased prevalence of hypertension, cardiovascular and renal disease. The goal for hypertension treatment in diabetic patients is in evolution, because of recent clinical trials. For example, the results of the recent Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes—BP Arm (ACCORD BP) trial failed to show an additional benefit on cardiovascular event reduction at a mean systolic BP of 119 mm Hg. A post hoc analysis of 6,400 patients with type 2 diabetes from the International Verapamil‐Trandolapril Study (INVEST) also failed to show additional cardiovascular risk reduction among patients who achieved a BP <130/80 mm Hg. While the evidence fails to support a lower BP goal to reduce coronary events, there was a risk reduction in stroke events both in ACCORD and the Appropriate Blood Pressure Control in NIDDM (ABCD) trial. A number of other clinical trials also demonstrate that when systolic pressures fall to less than 130 mm Hg, a reduction in stroke but not coronary disease events occurs. Thus, the precise BP goal for diabetic patients remains unresolved. We would posit that a BP goal of 135/85 mm Hg may be a reasonable compromise when viewing the impact of BP reduction on composite stroke and coronary artery disease in extant trials.
Metabolic syndrome in antipsychotic naïve patients diagnosed with schizophrenia
Authors: Grover Sandeep , Nebhinani Naresh , Chakrabarti Subho , Parakh Preeti , Ghormode Deepak
Published: December 2011

Aim: The article aims to study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and subthreshold MS in antipsychotic naïve patients with schizophrenia.

Materials and methods: Forty‐six antipsychotic naïve patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were evaluated for the presence of metabolic abnormalities using International Diabetes Federation and modified National Cholesterol Education Program – Third Adult Treatment Panel criteria.

Results: Five patients (10.86%) fulfilled International Diabetes Federation criteria for MS and six patients (13.04%) met modified National Cholesterol Education Program – Third Adult Treatment Panel criteria for MS. Additionally, 14 (30.43%) more patients fulfilled 2 out of the 5 criteria for MS and another 19 (41.3%) fulfilled 1 criterion for MS. Of the 19 patients who fulfilled one criterion for MS, 18 had an abnormality other than increase in waist circumference.

Conclusion: Findings of the present study suggest that although only few antipsychotic naïve patients diagnosed with schizophrenia have MS, a significantly large proportion of patients have subsyndromal MS. Awareness of this in clinicians can have implications in the selection of antipsychotic medication.
Pyrosequencing of prey DNA in reptile faeces: analysis of earthworm consumption by slow worms
Authors: BROWN DAVID S. , JARMAN SIMON N. , SYMONDSON WILLIAM O. C.
Published: December 2011

Little quantitative ecological information exists on the diets of most invertebrate feeding reptiles, particularly nocturnal or elusive species that are difficult to observe. In the UK and elsewhere, reptiles are legally required to be relocated before land development can proceed, but without knowledge of their dietary requirements, the suitability of receptor sites cannot be known. Here, we tested the ability of non‐invasive DNA‐based molecular diagnostics (454 pyrosequencing) to analyse reptile diets, with the specific aims of determining which earthworm species are exploited by slow worms (the legless lizard Anguis fragilis) and whether they feed on the deeper‐living earthworm species that only come to the surface at night. Slow worm faecal samples from four different habitats were analysed using earthworm‐specific PCR primers. We found that 86% of slow worms (N = 80) had eaten earthworms. In lowland heath and marshy/acid grassland, Lumbricus rubellus, a surface‐dwelling epigeic species, dominated slow worm diet. In two other habitats, riverside pasture and calciferous coarse grassland, diet was dominated by deeper‐living anecic and endogeic species. We conclude that all species of earthworm are exploited by these reptiles and lack of specialization allows slow worms to thrive in a wide variety of habitats. Pyrosequencing of prey DNA in faeces showed promise as a practical, rapid and relatively inexpensive means of obtaining detailed and valuable ecological information on the diets of reptiles.
New light on phylogeny and taxonomy of the Eurasian Gagea villosa–G. fragifera complex (Liliaceae)
Authors: Peruzzi Lorenzo , Peterson Angela , Tison Jean‐Marc , Harpke Dörte
Published: December 2011

The typification of the name Gagea brentae Evers (a lectotype in GZU is designated here) and studies of living topotype material, led us to conclude that G. brentae is a full synonym of G. fragifera, sharing morphological, karyological (2n=84) and molecular (ITS region, trnL–trnF IGS, psbA–trnH IGS) features with the latter species. Gagea fragifera, as newly circumscribed here, shows a close relationship with G. villosa (M. Bieb.) Sweet and, above all, with G. glacialis K. Koch (possibly a hybridogenous taxon). In short, our new morphological and molecular data provide new evidence for hybridization and introgression between the closely related G. villosa and G. fragifera (both in G. sect. Didymobulbos).
Moral hazard, hold‐up, and the optimal allocation of control rights
Authors: Yerramilli Vijay
Published: December 2011

I examine the optimal allocation of control rights in a model with manager moral hazard, where the manager and investor may hold up each other ex post. The control allocation determines both the likelihood of hold‐up and the agents’ renegotiation payoffs. In equilibrium, only two control allocations are optimal: either exclusive investor control or a contingent control allocation that allows the manager to remain in control if, and only if, interim performance is good. Thus, my model explains why it may be optimal to link control to the firm’s performance such that managers retain control only following good performance.
Sequential location games
Authors: Loertscher Simon , Muehlheusser Gerd
Published: December 2011

We study location games where market entry is costly and occurs sequentially, and where consumers are nonuniformly distributed over the unit interval. We show that for certain classes of densities, including monotone and—under some additional restrictions—hump‐shaped and U‐shaped ones, equilibrium locations can be determined independently of when they are occupied. Our analysis reveals a number of peculiarities of the uniform distribution. Extensions of the model allow for price competition and advertisement in media markets, winner‐take‐all competition, trade‐offs between profits in the short and the long run, and firms operating multiple outlets.
An empirical model of search with vertically differentiated products
Authors: Wildenbeest Matthijs R.
Published: December 2011

This article provides a framework for studying price dispersion in markets with product differentiation and search frictions. We show under which assumptions we can obtain an equilibrium in which vertically differentiated firms mix prices over different supports. The model can explain the frequently changing prices reported in several empirical studies, but also why some firms have persistently higher prices than others. We show how to estimate the model by maximum likelihood using only prices. Estimates for grocery items in the United Kingdom reveal that most of the observed price variation is explained by supermarket heterogeneity rather than search frictions, whereas the estimated amount of search is low.
Rewarding improvements: optimal dynamic contracts with subjective evaluation
Authors: Chan Jimmy , Zheng Bingyong
Published: December 2011

We study a T‐period contracting problem where performance evaluations are subjective and private. We find that the principal should punish the agent for performing poorly in the future even when the evaluations were good in the past; at the same time, the agent should be given opportunities to make up for poor evaluations in the past with better performance in the future. Optimal incentives are thus asymmetric. Conditional on the same number of good evaluations, an agent whose performance improves over time should be better rewarded than one whose performance deteriorates.
LESSONS LEARNED FROM A COMMUNITY COALITION WITH DIVERSE STAKEHOLDERS: THE PARTNERSHIP FOR CITRUS WORKER HEALTH
Authors: Monaghan Paul
Published: December 2011

The Partnership for Citrus Worker Health is a coalition formed by researchers at the University of South Florida Prevention Research Center and the Farm Worker Association of Florida. With the help of a community advisory board composed of agricultural laborers, public health professionals and agricultural employers, the project conducted research and designed an intervention that focused on eye safety among citrus harvesters. This case study demonstrates the successful use of a variety of participatory techniques and approaches, including social marketing, focus group research, community health workers, and quantitative measures of behavior change. The case also demonstrates how diverse stakeholders, including the researchers, the community advisory board and the target audience, collaborated to define problems and adopt solutions that make the agricultural workplace safer and improve conditions in the community. However, the way in which agricultural production utilizes migrant labor ultimately sets limits to the success of such collaborative approaches.