bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF CLOUDY AND CLARIFIED JUICE OF MALUS FLORIBUNDA AS A FUNCTION OF CONCENTRATION AND TEMPERATURE
Authors: CEPEDA E. , VILLARÁN M. C. , IBARZ A.
Published: February 2007

The rheological behaviour of cloudy and clarified juice of Malus floribunda was studied as a function of solid concentration, in a range of 45–70 Brix, at nine temperatures (5–50C). Cloudy and clarified juices are slightly thixotropic at 65–70 Brix and 5–10C. At lower concentrations and higher temperatures the thixotropy is low and can easily be eliminated by shearing. The power law model was applied to fit the pseudoplastic behaviour depending on the concentration level. Cloudy juice has pseudoplastic behaviour for concentrations higher than 45 Brix. Clarified juice is pseudoplastic at 65 Brix for temperatures lower than 25C and Newtonian at higher temperatures and for solid concentrations lower than 60 Brix. The activation energy for flow evaluated with the Arrhenius‐Guzman equation, increases with solid concentration and ranged from 10.8 to 3.45 kcal gmol−1 for cloudy juice and 15.3 to 7.9 kcal gmol−1 for clarified juice. A nonlinear correlation accounting for temperature and concentration effects on the consistency coefficient was identified.
IDENTIFYING OBJECTIVE CHARACTERISTICS THAT PREDICT CLUSTERS PRODUCED BY SENSORY ATTRIBUTES IN COOKED RICE
Authors: ROUSSET SYLVIE , PONS BRIGITTE , MARTIN JEAN‐FRANCOIS
Published: February 2007

From eight samples of raw‐milled, 10 samples of parboiled and 2 samples of canned rice, appearance, texture and flavour were determined sensorily and related to instrumental parameters and clusters of different types of rice having common sensory perceptions were identified. The physico‐chemical characteristics, enthalpy of amylose‐lipid complex I, protein content, length of raw grain, elastic recovery, water uptake and the viscoelastic index, varied widely between rice samples. The most discriminatory sensory attributes were appearance and texture characteristics such as ‘brown', ‘elastic', ‘long', ‘firm’ and ‘shiny'. The instrumental measurements were highly correlated with sensory parameters. Parboiled rice samples, characterised by a brown colour, an elastic—firm—smooth texture and a broth flavour, were different from the raw‐milled rice samples described as ‘juicy', ‘melting', ‘shiny', ‘aggregated and swollen grains', ‘starch and milk’ flavour. Canned rice samples were distinguished by a ‘jute and earth’ flavour, ‘bitterness’ and the presence of ‘foreign matter'. Five clusters of types of rice could be distinguished which were characterised by a soft texture for the first, by a sticky‐pasty texture for the second, by a brioche flavour and medium intensity characteristics of sticky and melting texture for the third, by the length of grain and a slight crunchy texture for the fourth, and by the firmness and elasticity for the last cluster. Five instrumental determined characteristics, enthalpy of amylose‐lipid complex I, thickness of cooked grain, water uptake, browness index and protein content classed each rice into one of these 5 clusters with an error of 4%.
INFLUENCE OF AROMA COMPOUNDS ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF STARCH‐BASED FOOD SYSTEMS
Authors: CAYOT N. , LAFARGE C. , ARVISENET G. , TAISANT C.
Published: February 2007

Different starches, and in particular a normal corn starch, were tested in a concentrated and complex food product. Increasing amounts of aroma compounds (limonene, ethyl vanillin or isoamyl acetate) were added at levels up to 5 mmol/mol glucose equivalent. The modifications that were induced in the gel network were characterized by penetrometry or uniaxial compression until fracture. The addition of these aroma compounds led to slightly weaker gel networks than when no flavor had been added. These effects appeared to be not related to the complexing ability of the aroma compound. The addition of isoamyl acetate slowed down the retrogradation phenomenon in corn starchbased products. It seems that the amylopectin fraction of the starch is engaged in the interactions with these aroma compounds.
ASSESSMENT OF THE EXTENT OF CONSISTENCY LOSS IN SEMILIQUID FOODS BY COMPRESSION AND SHEAR1
Authors: CORRADINI MARIA G. , ENGEL ROBERT , PELEG MICHA
Published: February 2007

The consistency of commercial mayonnaise, mustard and tomato paste samples was assessed by squeezing flow before and after compression or stirring, by hand and with a domestic blender which caused intensive shearing. The specimens before and after these treatments were squeezed between Teflon® coated parallel plates mounted on an Instron UTM model 5542 to a final height of 0.8mm and had been let to relax before the crosshead was withdrawn. Their consistency was assessed in terms of their apparent stress at three heights, and after relaxation for 1 and 2 min at 0.8mm height. Compression of the specimen prior to its testing (1–3 times) has very little effect on the specimen's consistency which supports the view that there was little friction between the Teflon® coated plates and the samples. Shearing caused measurable loss of consistency in the mustard and tomato paste which was not fully restored even after three hours. The sheared mayonnaise restored much of its consistency after about an hour as judged by the apparent stress at a given height, and almost fully recovered it if judged by the apparent residual stress after relaxation.
ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC STUDY OF MASTICATION OF KELP SNACK
Authors: KOHYAMA KAORU , KOBAYASHI SATOKO , HATAKEYAMA EIKO , SUZUKI TATEO
Published: February 2007

Electromyograms (EMGs) of mastication of kelp snack were compared with the physical properties measured by a tensile test and sensory assessment. The number of chewing strokes, masticatory time, total muscle activities and total duration for whole mastication agreed with the breaking force in the tensile test and with sensory difficulty of mastication. Amplitude, EMG activity, and duration per chew also showed the same tendency. In the masticatory cycle, significant differences among the samples were not observed. As mastication proceeded, the amplitude and EMG activity decreased, and the EMG‐duration shortened. The EMG activity, amplitude, and masticatory rhythm changed significantly, and sample differences decreased from the middle to the late stage of mastication. Just before swallowing, the chewing cycle was lengthened, and no significant difference was observed among samples at the last chew.
MEAT TEXTURE CHARACTERISATION: COMPARISON OF CHEWING PATTERNS, SENSORY AND MECHANICAL MEASURES
Authors: MATHONIERE CHRISTELE , MIOCHE LAURENCE , DRANSFIELD ERIC , CULIOLI JOSEPH
Published: February 2007

The texture of beef, varied by muscle (semimembranosus and semitendinosus), myofibrillar status (ageing time and cold‐shortening) and cooking temperature (60C and 80C), was determined by a sensory profile, chewing patterns (determined from surface electromyograms) and mechanical properties of the cooked meats measured at low and high deformation in compression, shear (cutting) and by dynamic (viscoelasticity) tests. The meat factors were discriminated differently by the different measurements showing that they detected differently the various origins of meat texture. Only the maximum modulus before 70% compression and sensory assessments and EMG gave discrimination among all the meat factors. Two main sensory dimensions were found from the profile: juiciness and tenderness with a third related to the determination of elasticity. Juiciness, which varied most between cooking temperatures, was better related to mechanical parameters at low strain rather than high strain and to initial muscular activity rather than later muscular activity. Conversely, tenderness was better related to high strain mechanical properties and to measurements in the middle or later part of the mastication process suggesting that tenderness assessment requires structural disintegration of meat.
PRECISE STUDY OF COOKED POTATO TEXTURE
Authors: BLAHOVEC JIŘÍ , ESMIR AHMED A. S.
Published: February 2007

Cylindrical specimens from potato tubers were cooked at constant temperatures (75, 80, 85, 90, 95C) in a special heating cell located on the table of an Universal Testing Machine and arranged in such a manner that a cooked specimen could be tested repeatedly in nondestructive compression test during the whole cooking process. The decrease of Young's modulus during cooking form the basis for the calculation of the Cooking Depression Coefficients and activation energies of the process. The whole cooking time could be divided into two parts for varieties ‘Nicola’ and ‘Panda'. The first part represents a modulus decrease of at least 50% and can be well described by a first order kinetic equation. The second part is kinetically very complicated and represents only a 10–15% further decrease of the original modulus value. Temperature dependence of mean Cooking Depression Coefficients (CDC) for both parts of the cooking curve, as well as Cooking Time Limits (CTL—time limit between both parts) fit the Arrhenius model. Cooking differences between both tested varieties are briefly discussed.
EFFECTS OF CHITOOLIGOSACCHARIDE ON THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL, TEXTURAL AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF TOFU
Authors: HAN J.S. , KIM M.
Published: February 2007

Chitinous polymers have been experimented with for the purpose of shelf‐life extension of foods due to their antimicrobial activity. Food additives, however, may impair the taste, color or texture of foods. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the effect of a food additive on foods before it is used. In this study, we investigated how the physicochemical properties, microstructure, textural properties and sensory characteristics of tofu are affected by the addition of chitooligosaccharide during its preparation. The addition of chitooligosaccharide to tofu did not significantly affect its physicochemical properties including moisture content, yield, turbidity and color. The chitooligosaccharide tofu, however, had lower hardness and smaller protein aggregates than the control tofu. The chitooligosaccharide did not influence most sensory attributes of tofu except for imparting a bitter taste.
EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION ON THE RHEOLOGY AND SERUM SEPARATION OF TOMATO SUSPENSIONS
Authors: OUDEN F. W. C. DEN , VLIET T. VAN
Published: February 2007

The °Brix value of the tomato concentrate, from which tomato suspensions were prepared, was shown to have a large effect on the resulting apparent viscosity and storage modulus. The apparent viscosity of a tomato suspension prepared from a 30 °Brix tomato concentrate was only 35% of that of a suspension prepared from a 4.9 °Brix juice, both standardized on the same water unextractable solids (WUS) (0.65%) and total tomato solids (TS) level. After homogenizing the difference in apparent viscosity was only about 10–15%. A similar trend was found for the dynamic moduli. The decrease in rheological parameters of the nonhomogenized suspensions is probably partly related to the decrease in diameter of the tomato particles due to the concentration process. Moreover, microscopic fracture of the cellulosic, microfibrillar network of the cell wall plays a part. Serum separation of diluted nonhomogenized tomato suspensions was higher if made from a concentrate that was concentrated to a higher °Brix value. This phenomenon is discussed in terms of variations in uniaxial compression of the network in the diluted tomato suspensions caused by gravitational force.
EFFECTS OF BARLEY FLOUR, WET GLUTEN AND LIQUID SHORTENING ON THE TEXTURE AND STORAGE CHARACTERISTICS OF CHAPATI
Authors: GUJRAL HARDEEP SINGH , GAUR SHALINI
Published: February 2007

The texture of fresh and stored chapati was evaluated using a tensile deformation test. Chapaties were prepared by adding barley flour (0; 10 and 20% w/w), wet gluten (0; 15 and 30% w/w) and liquid shortening (0; 1.5 and 3% v/w). The extensibility, load to rupture, energy to rupture and deformation modulus for fresh control chapati was 8.2 mm, 2.3 N, 0.0297 J and 0.249 MPa which changed to 3.2 mm, 2.85 N, 0.0087 J and 0.790 MPa on storage for 24 h. Wet gluten, barley flour and liquid shortening in various combinations markedly improved the quality of fresh as well as stored chapati. A regression model (R2 0.83 ‐ 0.99) was developed and the coefficients can be used to estimate the textural behaviour of chapati.
SENSORY FIRMNESS SCALE BASED ON GELATIN GELS
Authors: JONES ROBYN R. , STEFFE JAMES F. , HARTE JANICE B.
Published: February 2007

A series of gelatin gels was produced and scaled to resemble the firmness of typical meat samples used in texture evaluation. The maximum force required to cut through the gel sample was determined with a Warner‐Bratzler instrument and a TA. TX2 Model Texture Analyzer. Samples were scaled depending on the shear force required to force a blade through the material. An untrained sensory panel of 30 people, and a trained panel of 12, confirmed the sensory scale using a triangle test and unstructured scales. Untrained panelists were able to distinguish a difference between gels in three tenderness categories (P ≤ 0.001) in three consecutive tests. Trained panelists detected significant differences between scaled standards. Results suggest that scaled firmness standards based on gelatin gels provide a good model for meat tenderness sensory training.
SENSORY AND INSTRUMENTAL TEXTURE MEASURES ON KETCHUP MADE WITH DIFFERENT THICKENERS
Authors: VARELA P. , GÁMBARO A. , GIMÉNEZ A.M. , DURÁN I. , LEMA P.
Published: February 2007

The effect of thickening agents, native corn starch, guar and xanthan gums, on rheological behaviour, consistency and serum separation of ketchup was evaluated by sensory and instrumental analysis. A texture quantitative descriptive analysis was performed. All sensory parameters were highly significant in discriminating among samples and showed high correlation values, therefore those attributes easier to handle could be selected to evaluate sensory texture. Experimental flow curves fitted the Herschel‐Bulkley equation. Thixotropic behaviour was not observed in any of the samples. PLS analysis confirmed sensory texture could be predicted by instrumental texture measurements. Because of the good correlations found between sensory and instrumental parameters, USDA Applesauce consisçometer and Blotter Test measures can be used as tools for quality control programs. Either guar gum, xanthan gum or a combination of both could be good substitutes of starch in formulations, as it has disadvantages such as high gelatinization temperature, retrogradation and syneresis.
A Model of Relational Governance in Reverse Auctions
Authors: Pearcy Dawn , Giunipero Larry , Wilson Andrew
Published: February 2007

Despite the popularity of electronic reverse auctions, limited empirical research on their use and key outcomes such as supplier cooperation, purchase price reductions and time savings has been conducted. The current research examines the role that the relative strategic importance of the existing buyer–supplier relationship plays in reverse auction usage, including the type of governance structure established and the three previously mentioned outcomes. Results indicated that existing buyer/supplier relationships characterized as strategic opted for relational forms of governance in reverse auctions. When using transactional governance, this research provides empirical support for reports that reverse auctions result in reduced purchase prices and increased purchaser productivity. Managerial implications are offered, along with directions for future research.
Tracking Regional Hrm Change: Researching the Toyota Effect
Authors: Winfield Ian
Published: February 2007

Ian Winfield, who is Director of the Toyota Research Project at the Derbyshire Business School, describes a large‐scale project being carried out in the East Midlands to establish the degree of influence of the newly‐built Toyota assemply plant at Burnaston, near Derby, on human resource policy and practice in the surrounding region. In particular, he details how two areas of potential change, in working arrangements and employee practices, will be mapped using qualitative and quantitative techniques.
Dimensions of Performance Effectiveness In High‐Involvement Work Organisations
Authors: Parker Sharon K. , Mullarkey Sean , Jackson Paul
Published: February 2007

Sharon Parker, Sean Mullarkely and Paul Jackson, who are researchers in the MRC/ESRC Social and Applied Pyschology Unit at the University of Sheffield, draw on detailed case study evidence to consider the substantial changes to the shop floor roles entailed in high involvement work organisations. They argue that specification of the performance requirements of such roles will facilitate employees taking on appropriate behaviours, reduce role confusion, and enable consistency in human resource practices. They discuss the use of repertory grids to explore the models of effective performance held by production managers and derive nine critical dimensions of shop floor employee performance from the analysis. These contain specific behavioural examples and are grouped around four higher‐order dimensions: ‘process ownership’, ‘social skills’, ‘personal style’, and loss prevention’. These dimensions form the basis of a broader specification of the skills, knowledge and general orientations required by shopfloor employees in high involvement roles.
A Critique and A Proposed Reformulation of Strategic Human Resource Management
Authors: Kamoche Ken
Published: February 2007

Ken Kamoche, who lectures in human resource management at Birmingham Business School, argues that flaws in the assumptions underlying our understanding of ‘strategy’ are encouraging an inappropriate conception of strategic human resource management (SHRM). the notion of strategy which emanates from orthodox economic theory ensures that SHRM is subservient to a dominant ‘organisational imperative’. This process is reinforced by key socio‐political factors which are diminishing the significance of the ‘human’ component of SHRM. He goes on to suggest how SHRM might be reconstituted to be a more useful concept
Researching the Toyota Effect: A Comment On Winfield
Authors: Smith Chris , Elger Tony
Published: February 2007

Chris Smith, Lecturer in Organisational Studies and Industrial Relations at Aston University Business School, and Tony Elger, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of Warwick, offer some constructive criticisms of the research design, reported in a recent issue of the HRMJ, for the large‐scale project being carried out in the East Midlands to establish the degree of influence of the newly‐built Toyota assembly plant at Burnaston near Derby on human resource policy and practice in the surrounding area.
Corporate Cultural Change – Is It Relevant For the Organisations of the 1990s?
Authors: Hope Veronica , Hendry John
Published: February 2007

Partly as a consequence of the popularity of the ‘excellence’ literature of the early 1980s, there was a widespread acceptance that ‘corporate cultural change’ was one of the effective mechanisms within a strategic HRM approach to people management. However, recent research into imposed cultural change programmes in the late 1980s raises doubts about their effectiveness as change mechanisms, as management control devices and as contributors to business performance. This article engages in the current debate concerning the aims, design and implementation of cultural change but goes on to question the relevance of such an idea for organisations in the context of the 1990s. the article extends the many debates within the HRM and corporate culture literature by contextualising them within the emerging features of organisations in the 1990s.
Experiencing Turbulence: Competition, Strategic Choice and the Management of Human Resources In British Airways
Authors: Colling Trevor
Published: February 2007

Trevor Colling assesses the concept of ‘strategic choice’ in the light of developments in employment strategy and practice in British Airways. Contrary to the language of competition attending privatisation, it is argued that BA's celebrated decision to compete ‘upstream’ depended on their continued ability to influence their product market. Current restructuring reflects a significant weakening of this ability and is producing a different and, so far, less celebrated set of priorities. Attempts to theorise the links between competition, employment strategy and competitiveness should pay greater attention to the policy frameworks provided by local, national and supra‐national states.
Asia‐Pacific Tiers of Change
Authors: Leggett Chris J. , Bamber Greg J.
Published: February 2007

This article starts by outlining five explanations of economic growth and four stages of economic development in the Asia‐Pacific region. the developed countries there include Japan, Australia and New Zealand. the ‘Asian tigers’ of Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan form a top tier of post‐Japan industrialisers. A second generation of ‘tigers’ includes Malaysia in the vanguard, with Thailand and the PRC following. A third tier of industrialisers may include countries as diverse as Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia and, perhaps, the countries of the Indian sub‐continent. Such a classification provides a context for discussing various approaches to human resources and industrial relations issues in this article and the ones that follow.
National Industrialisation Strategies and Their Influence On Patterns of Hr Practices
Authors: Kuruvilla Sarosh
Published: February 2007

This article uses a framework developed by Kuruvilla (1995a) that hypothesised a very close link between industrialisation strategies of Southeast Asian nations and industrial relations systems. That framework is used here to argue that the industrialisation strategy adopted by nations also influences the development of firm level IR/HR practices. Using case studies of firms in the ‘import substitution industrialisation’(ISI) and ‘export oriented industrialisation’(EOI) sectors in Malaysia and the Philippines, the author finds that in both countries, the ISI sector is characterised by firm level IR/HR practices that are passive, pluralistic and paternalistic in nature, while the EOI sectors in both economies are characterised by IR/HR practices that can be termed aggressive, flexible, and dynamic in nature. In addition, given that Malaysia and the Philippines are currently at different stages of export oriented industrialisation, the cases demonstrate that workplace practices in the EOI sector in Malaysia are more dynamic and advanced than those of the Philippines. Thus, the article shows that the industrialisation strategies of nations create distinct patterns of industrial relations and human resource practices within the economy, controlling for other factors such as business strategies and the technological processes of firms that also cause such variation in IR/HR patterns.
Managing creativity, maintaining control: a study in pharmaceutical research
Authors: Randle Keith , Rainnie Al
Published: February 2007

This paper examines how managers of scientific researchers in a major UK pharmaceutical company attempt to cope with the demands of generating creative research while exercising control over highly‐qualified workers. The paper considers some models applicable to HRM in research before turning to research management at Glaxo Research and Development Ltd. Focusing on the management of working time and performance‐related pay as control devices, and drawing on labour process perspectives, the authors examine the impact of these on the research process. As there is a high level of indeterminacy in research work, the operation of these controls by line managers is necessarily subjective. This may encourage behaviour which runs counter to the organisational goal of developing new chemical entities. It is suggested, in conclusion, that a fundamental tension between creativity and control characterises the management of commercial research, and is exacerbated by the dynamic nature of the firm's environment.
Cochlear traveling-wave amplification, suppression, and beamforming probed using noninvasive calibration of intracochlear distortion sources
Authors: Shera Christopher A. , Guinan John J.
Published: February 2007

Originally developed to estimate the power gain of the cochlear amplifier, so-called “Allen–Fahey” and related experiments have proved invaluable for probing the mechanisms of wave generation and propagation within the cochlea. The experimental protocol requires simultaneous measurement of intracochlear distortion products (DPs) and ear-canal otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) under tightly controlled conditions. To calibrate the intracochlear response to the DP, Allen–Fahey experiments traditionally employ invasive procedures such as recording from auditory-nerve fibers or measuring basilar-membrane velocity. This paper describes an alternative method that allows the intracochlear distortion source to be calibrated noninvasively. In addition to the standard pair of primary tones used to generate the principal DP, the noninvasive method employs a third, fixed tone to create a secondary DPOAE whose amplitude and phase provide a sensitive assay of the intracochlear value of the principal DP near its characteristic place. The method is used to perform noninvasive Allen–Fahey experiments in cat and shown to yield results in quantitative agreement with the original, auditory-nerve-based paradigm performed in the same animal. Data obtained using a suppression-compensated variation of the noninvasive method demonstrate that neither traveling-wave amplification nor two-tone suppression constitutes the controlling influence in DPOAE generation at close frequency ratios. Rather, the dominant factor governing the emission magnitude appears to be the variable directionality of the waves radiated by the distortion-source region, which acts as a distortion beamformer tuned by the primary frequency ratio.
Radiation clusters and the active control of sound transmission into a symmetric enclosure
Authors: Kaizuka Tsutomu , Tanaka Nobuo
Published: February 2007

Radiation cluster control is proposed for the purpose of attenuating harmonic sound transmission into a symmetric enclosure using error signals derived from structural vibration sensors. The approach falls into a category of middle authority control, which is between LAC (low authority control: structural modal control) and HAC (high authority control: radiation modal control), possessing the benefit of practicality over LAC, while providing high control performance and some flexibility of control gain assignment similar to HAC. The structure of a radiation cluster control system is outlined, showing that it is possible to control a target cluster without affecting the other clusters. A design procedure for the radiation cluster control system is then proposed. Numerical results are also presented.
The effect of cavity geometry on the nucleation of bubbles from cavities
Authors: Chappell Michael A. , Payne Stephen J.
Published: February 2007

The heterogeneous nucleation of gas bubbles from cavities in a surface in contact with a liquid is a widely recognized phenomenon. This process has previously been theoretically analyzed extensively for a conical crevice, although in practice a wide range of cavity geometries might be expected. The method of analysis originally presented by Atchley and Prosperetti [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 86, 1065–1084 (1989)] for the unstable growth of a gas-liquid interface in a conical crevice is here extended to any axisymmetric cavity geometry and four such different geometries are analyzed. Although the method presented neglects gas transfer, and therefore is most directly suitable for acoustic cavitations, this method is still valuable in comparing the nucleation behavior of different cavity types. It is found that once the interface has emerged outside the cavity, its behavior is determined by the size of the cavity’s opening. Given that the behavior of the interface once it is outside the cavity will also be determined by the local flow conditions, the threshold for unstable growth of the interface inside the cavity leading to its emergence is the important value and will determine differences between cavity geometries in practice, as shown in the examples presented.
Physiological detection of interaural phase differences
Authors: Ross Bernhard , Tremblay Kelly L. , Picton Terence W.
Published: February 2007

Auditory evoked cortical responses to changes in the interaural phase difference (IPD) were recorded using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Twelve normal-hearing young adults were tested with amplitude-modulated tones with carrier frequencies of 500, 1000, 1250, and 1500Hz. The onset of the stimuli evoked P1m-N1m-P2m cortical responses, as did the changes in the interaural phase. Significant responses to IPD changes were identified at 500 and 1000Hz in all subjects and at 1250Hz in nine subjects, whereas responses were absent in all subjects at 1500Hz, indicating a group mean threshold for detecting IPDs of 1250Hz. Behavioral thresholds were found at 1200Hz using an adaptive two alternative forced choice procedure. Because the physiological responses require phase information, through synchronous bilateral inputs at the level of the auditory brainstem, physiological “change” detection thresholds likely reflect the upper limit of phase synchronous activity in the brainstem. The procedure has potential applications in investigating impaired binaural processing because phase statistic applied to single epoch MEG data allowed individual thresholds to be obtained.
An acoustic description of the vowels of northern and southern standard Dutch II: Regional varieties
Authors: Adank Patti , van Hout Roeland , Velde Hans van de
Published: February 2007

An analysis is presented of regional variation patterns in the vowel system of Standard Dutch as spoken in the Netherlands (Northern Standard Dutch) and Flanders (Southern Standard Dutch). The speech material consisted of read monosyllabic utterances in a neutral consonantal context (i.e., /sVs/). The analyses were based on measurements of the duration and the frequencies of the first two formants of the vowel tokens. Recordings were made for 80 Dutch and 80 Flemish speakers, who were stratified for the social factors gender and region. These 160 speakers were distributed across four regions in the Netherlands and four regions in Flanders. Differences between regional varieties were found for duration, steady-state formant frequencies, and spectral change of formant frequencies. Variation patterns in the spectral characteristics of the long mid vowels /e o ø/ and the diphthongal vowels /εi œy ɔu/ were in accordance with a recent theory of pronunciation change in Standard Dutch. Finally, it was found that regional information was present in the steady-state formant frequency measurements of vowels produced by professional language users.
Focus in production: Tonal shape, intensity and word order
Authors: Vainio Martti , Järvikivi Juhani
Published: February 2007

The effect of word order and prosodic focus on the tonal shape and intensity in the production of prosody was studied. The results show that the production of focus in Finnish follows a global pattern with regard to tonal features. The relative pitch height difference between contrasted words is the most important pitch-related factor in signaling narrow prosodic focus. Narrow focus is not localized to prosodically emphasized words only but relates to the utterance as a whole. It was also found that syntactic structure with respect to both intensity and tonal structure modulated relative prosodic prominence of individual words.
Exercise therapy for the conservative management of full thickness tears of the rotator cuff: a systematic review
Authors: Ainsworth Roberta , Lewis Jeremy S
Published: February 2007

Purpose:To review the evidence for the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise for the treatment of full thickness (including massive and inoperable) tears of the rotator cuff.

Relevance:There is little consensus as to the most effective treatment of full thickness and massive tears of the rotator cuff. There is consensus that the outcome of rotator cuff tendon surgery in the elderly is generally very poor. As such, exercise therapy is usually recommended for this patient group. Although commonly prescribed, the evidence to support this approach is equivocal. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to determine the efficacy of exercise therapy for the management of full thickness rotator cuff tears.

Methods:A systematic review was conducted to synthesise the available research literature on the effectiveness of exercise therapy for full thickness tears of the rotator cuff.

Data source:Reports up to and including September 2006 were located from MEDLINE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), AMED, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) using the terms “rotator cuff” and “tear/s” and “exercise” or “physiotherapy” or “physical therapy” or “rehabilitation”.

Study selection:Studies were included if they related to full thickness rotator cuff tears and exercise.

Data extraction:Two independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality of the studies. Differences were resolved by consensus.

Analysis/Data synthesis:Ten studies met the inclusion criteria: eight were observational case series and two were single case studies. There were no randomised clinical trials.

Results:Four studies were specific to massive rotator cuff tears. One study had a sub-group with massive cuff tears and five studies were not specific as to the size of the full thickness tear. Due to the heterogeneity of outcome measures used, it was not possible to combine results. In all studies an improvement in outcome scores was reported. Exercise programmes were well documented in five studies.

Conclusions:No randomised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria and the evaluation has been based on observational studies of lower scientific merit. The findings suggest that some evidence exists to support the use of exercise in the management of full thickness rotator cuff tears. There is a definite need for well-planned randomised controlled trials investigating the efficacy of exercise in the management of full thickness and massive rotator cuff tears.
Mountain Grown Ginseng Induces Apoptosis in HL-60 Cells and Its Mechanism Have Little Relation with TNF-α Production
Authors: Koo Hyun-Na , Jeong Hyun-Ja , Choi In-Young , An Hyo-Jin , Moon Phil-Dong , Kim Seong-Jin , Jee Seon-Young , Um Jae-Young , Hong Seung-Heon , Shin Soon-Shik , Yang Deok-Chun , Seo Yong-Suk , Kim Hyung-Min
Published: February 2007

The root of ginseng is one of the most popular natural tonics in Oriental countries. Ginseng grown in the wild, deep in the mountains, is known as Sansam (mountain grown ginseng, MGG). MGG belongs to Araliaceae and Panax. In this study, we investigated the effects of MGG on the cytotoxicity, induction of apoptosis and the putative pathways of its actions in human promyelocytic leukemia cells, HL-60. Using apoptosis analysis, we found that MGG is a potent inducer of apoptosis, but it has less effect on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Caspase-3 activation and subsequent apoptotic cell death in MGG-treated cells were partially blocked by the caspase-3 inhibitor, Z-DEVD-FMK. MGG also inhibited the caspase-8 activity. To determine whether MGG-induced apoptosis is involved in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) secretion, TNF-α secretion was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Unexpectedly, MGG significantly decreased the TNF-α secretion compared to the control. These results suggest that MGG-induced cytotoxicity have little relation with the secretion of TNF-α in HL-60 cells. Furthermore, MGG with rIFN-γ synergistically increased nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Taken together, our data indicate that MGG is a potent inducer of apoptosis on HL-60 cells and these abilities could be used clinically for the treatment of cancer.
THERMODYNAMIC GEOMETRY AND CRITICAL BEHAVIOR OF BLACK HOLES
Authors: SHEN JIANYONG , CAI RONG-GEN , WANG BIN , SU RU-KENG
Published: February 2007

Based on the observations that there exists an analogy between the Reissner–Nordström–Anti-de Sitter (RN–AdS) black holes and the van der Waals–Maxwell liquid-gas system, in which a correspondence of variables is (ϕ,q) ↔ (V,P), we study the Ruppeiner geometry, defined as Hessian matrix of black hole entropy with respect to the internal energy (not the mass) of black hole and electric potential (angular velocity), for the RN, Kerr and RN–AdS black holes. It is found that the geometry is curved and the scalar curvature goes to negative infinity at the Davies' phase transition point for the RN and Kerr black holes. Our result for the RN–AdS black holes is also in good agreement with the one about phase transition and its critical behavior in the literature.
Feedbacks of Terrestrial Ecosystems to Climate Change
Authors: Field Christopher B , Lobell David B. , Peters Halton A. , Chiariello Nona R.
Published: February 2007

Most modeling studies on terrestrial feedbacks to warming over the twenty-first century imply that the net feedbacks are negative—that changes in ecosystems, on the whole, resist warming, largely through ecosystem carbon storage. Although it is clear that potentially important mechanisms can lead to carbon storage, a number of less well-understood mechanisms, several of which are rarely or incompletely modeled, tend to diminish the negative feedbacks or lead to positive feedbacks. At high latitudes, negative feedbacks from forest expansion are likely to be largely or completely compensated by positive feedbacks from decreased albedo, increased carbon emissions from thawed permafrost, and increased wildfire. At low latitudes, negative feedbacks to warming will be decreased or eliminated, largely through direct human impacts. With modest warming, net feedbacks of terrestrial ecosystems to warming are likely to be negative in the tropics and positive at high latitudes. Larger amounts of warming will generally push the feedbacks toward the positive.
Insulin, glucose, and pancreatic polypeptide responses to a test meal in restricting type anorexia nervosa before and after weight restoration
Authors: Kinzig Kimberly P. , Coughlin Janelle W. , Redgrave Graham W. , Moran Timothy H. , Guarda Angela S.
Published: February 2007

Prolonged malnutrition in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) has been associated with alterations in endocrine function that may play a sustaining role in the disorder. We hypothesized that abnormalities in endocrine responses to ingestion of a meal in AN are reversible and depend on weight restoration. We measured meal-induced endocrine responses in AN subjects at three time points during hospitalization: before refeeding ( n = 13, mean BMI 16.7 kg/m2), after 2 wk of refeeding (mean BMI 18.0 kg/m2), and in the weight-restored state (mean BMI 20.3 kg/m2). Control subjects ( n = 13, BMI 19–24.9 kg/m2) were tested once. Tests were 2.5-h sessions in which blood was drawn every 15 min before, during, and after a ∼650-kcal test breakfast. Relative to controls, peak levels of glucose were depressed and peak levels of insulin in response to ingestion of the test meal were delayed, with response patterns in the third trial most similar to controls. Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) levels were increased in AN relative to controls regardless of weight status. The delay in insulin release and elevated PP levels did not correct with short-term refeeding and may contribute to the high relapse rates and maintenance of AN.
Modular Competition Driven by NMDA Receptor Subtypes in Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity
Authors: Gerkin Richard C. , Lau Pak-Ming , Nauen David W. , Wang Yu Tian , Bi Guo-Qiang
Published: February 2007

N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play a critical role in transducing neuronal activity patterns into changes in synaptic strength. However, how they mediate this transduction in response to physiological stimuli has remained elusive. In particular, it has been debated whether different NMDAR subtypes play opposing signaling roles in synaptic plasticity. Using perforated patch-clamp recordings from pairs of synaptically connected glutamatergic neurons in dissociated hippocampal culture, we found that spike-timing-dependent potentiation induced by pairing pre- and postsynaptic spikes required the activation of a fast component of NMDAR current that is likely to be mediated by NR2A-containing NMDARs (NR2A-NRs). In contrast, spike-timing-dependent depression required a slow component of NMDAR current carried by NR2B-containing NMDARs (NR2B-NRs). CV analysis showed that the locus of this depression was primarily presynaptic in pairs of cells making strong synaptic connections, whereas weaker synapses showed no clear preference for pre- or postsynaptic expression. This depression was not significantly reduced by antagonism of the CB1 receptor, in contrast to spike-timing-dependent depression in the neocortex that requires presynaptic CB1 signaling. With blockade of NR2B-NRs, spike triplets that contained both potentiating and depressing spike-timing components induced net potentiation. However, when the putative NR2A-NR population is inhibited, these spike triplets resulted in either depression or no net change, depending on the temporal order of the spike-timing components. These results imply a dynamic competition between signaling modules that can be biased by differentially antagonizing NMDAR subtypes during the induction of spike-timing-dependent plasticity. Using a simple model, we show that such a modular competition recapitulates our observations.
Dysarthria due to Supratentorial and Infratentorial Ischemic Stroke: A Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Study
Authors: Kumral Emre , Çelebisoy Mehmet , Çelebisoy Neşe , Canbaz Diler Hülya , Çallı Cem
Published: February 2007

Background and Purpose: Dysarthria characterized by slurring with imprecise articulation without evidence of aphasia is a frequent symptom in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia, although there is little knowledge on its anatomic specificity and spectrum of associated clinical characteristics regarding diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Methods: An investigation of 101 consecutive patients with sudden-onset dysarthria due to a single or multiple lesions on DWI, corresponding to 8.7% of 1,160 patients with ischemic stroke, was made. The presence of lesions of the cranial arteries was sought by magnetic resonance angiography and reviewed with a three-dimensional rotating cineangiographic method. Results: Dysarthria was mostly associated with a supratentorial lesion (63%) and with a classic lacunar stroke syndrome in 45% of patients. Lacunar lesions on DWI were found in 69 (68%) patients, while only 45 of the patients (65%) with a lacunar infarct presented a classic lacunar syndrome with dysarthria. Pure dysarthria occurred in 15% of patients, dysarthria + pure motor hemiparesis in 14%, dysarthria + ataxic hemiparesis in 11%, dysarthria + clumsy hand syndrome in 7%, dysarthria + pure sensory stroke in 3%, dysarthria + central facial paresis in 8% and lingual paresis occurred in 2%. The lesions were due to small-artery disease in 41%, large-artery disease in 15%, cardioembolism in 10% and a mixed etiology in 3%. The cause of stroke was not identified in 17 patients. Lesions on DWI were found mainly in the corona radiata (n = 18), middle cerebral artery territory, including the motor cortex and/or insular cortex (n = 13), striatocaudate nuclei (n = 11), primary motor cortex (n = 10), internal capsule (n = 7), pons (n = 25), pontobulbar junction (n = 5) and the thalamomesencephalic junction (n = 4). Isolated cerebellar infarctions (n = 6) or associated brainstem lesions (n = 6) affected mostly the superior cerebellar artery or the posterior inferior cerebellar artery territory. Conclusion: Cortical involvement was more frequent in patients with pure dysarthria than those with dysarthria and additional neurological signs, while the frequency of pontine involvement was higher in patients with additional neurological signs than those with pure dysarthria. One third of the patients with dysarthria had multiple lesions on DWI, and the most common cause of stroke was small-artery disease. Pure dysarthria, dysarthria with lingual paresis, dysarthria with clumsy hand and dysarthria with facial paresis had predictive value for lacunar lesions.
Induced Hypothermia for Acute Stroke
Authors: Hemmen Thomas M. , Lyden Patrick D.
Published: February 2007

Induced hypothermia is one of the most promising neuroprotective therapies. Technological limitations and homeostatic mechanisms that maintain core body temperature have impeded the clinical use of hypothermia. Recent advances in intravascular cooling catheters and successful trials of hypothermia for cardiac arrest and neonatal asphyxia renewed interest in hypothermia for stroke, resulting in early phase clinical trials and plans for further development. This review elaborates on the clinical implications of hypothermia research in stroke and technical and logistical issues associated with the application of hypothermia.
MRI of Geometric and Compositional Features of Vulnerable Carotid Plaque
Authors: Saloner David , Acevedo-Bolton Gabriel , Wintermark Max , Rapp Joseph H.
Published: February 2007

Noninvasive imaging of atherosclerotic disease provides a powerful opportunity to gain insight into the complex chain of events underlying atherogenesis, plaque progression, and ultimately those processes that result in atherothrombosis with accompanying clinical symptoms. MRI is particularly attractive because it is noninvasive and is capable of providing a rich array of information on vascular disease. MR methods have been demonstrated to provide information on important features of vascular disease, including the geometric morphology of the flow lumen and the vessel wall, the composition of atheroma, measurement of flow velocities through vessels independent of overlying structures, and more recently insights into the presence and activity of specific molecules that are considered to be important participants in the inflammatory processes and that might differentiate the stable plaque from the vulnerable plaque.
Cardiac Hypertrophy and Reduced Contractility in Hearts Deficient in the Titin Kinase Region
Authors: Peng Jun , Raddatz Katy , Molkentin Jeffery D. , Wu Yiming , Labeit Siegfried , Granzier Henk , Gotthardt Michael
Published: February 2007

Background—

Titin is a giant protein crucial for the assembly and elasticity of the sarcomere. Recently, titin has been linked to signal transduction through its kinase domain, which has been proposed to sense mechanical load. We developed a knockout in which expression of M-line–deficient titin can be induced in adult mice and investigated the role of the titin kinase region in cardiac function.

Methods and Results—

Isolated heart experiments revealed that in titin M-line–deficient mice, the contractile response to β-adrenergic agonists and extracellular calcium is reduced. However, the Ca
2+
sensitivity and cooperativity of activation of skinned cardiac muscle were unchanged. In knockout mice, calcium transients showed a reduced rate of calcium uptake, and expression analysis showed reduced levels of calmodulin, phospholamban, and SERCA2. Ultimately, knockout mice developed cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, which involves protein kinase C signal transduction but not the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Conclusions—

The titin kinase region emerges as a regulator of contractile function through effects on calcium handling and hypertrophy through protein kinase signal transduction. These novel functions of titin might provide a rationale for future therapeutic approaches to attenuate or reverse symptoms of heart failure.