bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A conceptual approach to graphically compare construction schedules
Authors: Hatipkarasulu Yilmaz
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to present a graphical comparison method for construction schedules, which illustrates the differences for each individual activity. The method overlays the observed differences on a bar chart creating a representation of whether each activity is ahead, on or behind schedule at a given date.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is implemented using a Microsoft Project add-in (plug-in). The paper demonstrates the method and its potential uses with three illustration cases: a time impact analysis, an alternative analysis for the selection of subcontractors and a multi-baseline analysis of an as-built schedule.

Findings

The cases included in the paper show that the proposed method uses a simplified and familiar attribute comparison for each activity in a schedule. The method affords flexibility in presenting differences between schedules such as the start/finish dates or duration. As the method does not rely on a specific software application or analysis method, it can be implement to different software applications as well as performance or delay analysis techniques. The method also makes it possible to present multiple and selective baseline comparisons overlaid on an updated or as-built schedule.

Originality/value

The method graphically presents a comparison of start dates, durations and finish dates for each activity that can be integrated with any schedule. The method can be used for forensic analysis as well as project control measures during construction. As the method does not rely on any specific performance or delay calculation method, it can be applied to any forensic analysis technique and delay analysis.
Acquisition of the Meaning of the Word Orange Requires Understanding of the Meanings of Red, Pink, and Purple: Constructing a Lexicon as a Connected System
Authors: Saji Noburo , Imai Mutsumi , Asano Michiko
Published: January 2020

This research investigated how children build up the language‐specific system of the color lexicon, examining factors that play important roles for the construction of an adult‐like color lexicon. We had 3‐, 4‐, and 5‐year‐old Japanese‐speaking children and adults (n = 20, 18, 19, and 19, respectively) produce names for 93 color swatches. The results showed that children of all ages were able to apply most of the chromatic words to the colors close to the center of each category, but even 5‐year‐olds struggle to delineate the boundaries between the words. Furthermore, the model analyses revealed that broad‐covering and high‐frequency words are mapped to the center of the lexical category earlier. However, cross‐individual consistency in adults' use contributed most strongly for the adult‐like boundary delineation. The results suggest that the process of system construction consists of at least two steps (i.e., mapping words to their category center and finding appropriate boundaries between neighboring words), with the quantity and the quality of the input contributing differently to the steps.
Prednisolone/prednisone as adrenocorticotropic hormone alternative for infantile spasms: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Li Shaojun , Zhong Xuefei , Hong Siqi , Li Tingsong , Jiang Li
Published: January 2020

Aim

To compare the efficacy and safety of prednisolone/prednisone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the treatment of infantile spasms using a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Method

In a systematic literature search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library), we identified RCTs that assessed prednisolone/prednisone compared with ACTH/tetracosactide in patients with infantile spasms. The electroclinical response and adverse events were evaluated.

Results

Six RCTs (616 participants) were included in the meta‐analysis. Compared with prednisolone/prednisone, ACTH/tetracosactide was not superior in terms of cessation of spasms at day 14 (relative risk 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74–1.92), day 42 (relative risk 1.02, 95% CI 0.63–1.65), and resolution of hypsarrhythmia on electroencephalogram (relative risk 1.14, 95% CI 0.71–1.81); the incidences of common adverse reactions caused by ACTH/tetracosactide were not lower than that of prednisolone/prednisone for irritability (relative risk 0.79, 95% CI 0.57–1.10), increased appetite (relative risk 0.78, 95% CI 0.57–1.08), weight gain (relative risk 0.86, 95% CI 0.56–1.32), and gastrointestinal upset (relative risk 0.60, 95% CI 0.35–1.02), though it seemed less frequent.

Interpretation

Prednisolone/prednisone elicits a similar electroclinical response as ACTH for infantile spasms, which indicates that it can be an alternative to ACTH for treating infantile spasms.

What this paper adds

Prednisolone/prednisone is as effective as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in electroclinical response of infantile spasms.

Prednisolone/prednisone and ACTH cause similar and tolerable adverse effects, whose incidences are comparable.

High‐dose prednisone/prednisolone might be preferable to low dose for achieving freedom from spasms.
Semaglutide (SUSTAIN and PIONEER) reduces cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes across varying cardiovascular risk
Authors: Husain Mansoor , Bain Stephen C. , Jeppesen Ole K. , Lingvay Ildiko , Sørrig Rasmus , Treppendahl Marianne B. , Vilsbøll Tina
Published: January 2020

Aim

To investigate the effects of semaglutide versus comparators on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: cardiovascular [CV] death, nonfatal myocardial infarction [MI] and nonfatal stroke) and hospitalization for heart failure (HF) in the SUSTAIN (subcutaneous semaglutide) and PIONEER (oral semaglutide) trials across subgroups of varying CV risk.

Methods

Post hoc analyses of individual patient‐level data combined from SUSTAIN 6 and PIONEER 6 were performed to assess MACE and HF. MACE were analysed in subjects with and without: established CV disease and/or chronic kidney disease; prior MI or stroke; and prior HF. MACE in the SUSTAIN and PIONEER glycaemic efficacy trials were also assessed.

Results

In SUSTAIN 6 and PIONEER 6 combined, the hazard ratio (HR) for effect of semaglutide versus placebo on overall MACE was 0.76 (95% CI 0.62, 0.92), which was mainly driven by the effect on nonfatal stroke (HR 0.65 [95% CI 0.43, 0.97]). The HR for hospitalization for HF was 1.03 (95% CI 0.75, 1.40). The HRs for MACE were <1.0 in all subgroups, except for those with prior HF (HR 1.06 [95% CI 0.72, 1.57]); P‐values for interaction of subgroup on treatment effect were >0.05, except for HF (0.046). In the combined glycaemic efficacy trials, the HR for effect of semaglutide versus comparators on MACE was 0.85 (95% CI 0.55, 1.33).

Conclusions

In SUSTAIN and PIONEER combined, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogue semaglutide showed consistent effects on MACE versus comparators across varying CV risk. No effect of semaglutide on MACE was observed in subjects with prior HF.
Preparing the Educators Who Teach About Families: Engaging Family Science in the University Setting
Authors: Allen Katherine R. , Lavender‐Stott Erin S.
Published: January 2020

In this article, we address foundational and innovative aspects of preparing educators who teach about families, including theoretical, methodological, and practical considerations. We approach our task by defining and utilizing a human development and family science (HDFS) worldview, which, like the related foci on translational family science and family life education, integrates both the need for comprehensive academic grounding and professional preparation in the service of improving individual and family lives. We integrate the HDFS worldview with critical pedagogy and feminist praxis in family science that explicitly calls attention to inequality, oppression, and the need to empower individuals, families, communities, and societies. One of the hallmarks of HDFS scholarship and pedagogy on families is the intentional approach of teaching students to work in fields where they are seeking to name and redress individual and family vulnerability. In addition, we provide a comprehensive case study of collegiate education for training graduate students who are preparing to teach undergraduate students in the interdisciplinary field of HDFS. Finally, we provide directions for future research and implications for practice in HDFS pedagogy and teacher training in academic and community settings.
Simulation of sorghum introduction and its impacts on land use change—A case study on Lubelski region of Eastern Poland
Authors: Shu Kesheng , Kozak Małgorzata , Fradj Nosra Ben , Zylowski Tomasz , Rozakis Stelios
Published: January 2020

Echoing the bioenergy development initiative in Poland, high expectations are pinned on sweet sorghum usage for biogas plants. In contrast to its high profile in the industry, the research on the introduction and production of sorghum in Poland is lagging behind. To solve this issue, in this paper we have developed a spatial‐agent dynamic model of the agricultural land use and applied the model to eastern Poland. The model suggests that the economic and technical potential of sweet sorghum in this region is 6 and 7.5 million tonnes, respectively. Its introduction process largely follows the pattern of a typical industry life cycle, with the startup at the price of 8.20 €/tonne. Along with the market penetration of sorghum, a dramatic land use change of conventional crops can be foreseen, even with a land use competition among those crops. We believe that the exploitation of unutilized agricultural land resources and improving the yield of sorghum are helpful to alleviate this land use conflict. However, a higher food demand in the future and climate change may constrain the role of sorghum. This first comprehensive and high‐resolution study to its kind in Poland can help assess the country's bioenergy policies and contribute to the development of the biogas industry.
Treatment of erosive pustular dermatosis: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Lee Katrina H. , Carley Sama K. , Kraus Christina N. , Mesinkovska Natasha A.
Published: January 2020

Importance

Erosive pustular dermatosis (EPD) is a rare chronic inflammatory condition of the scalp and legs that is often difficult to manage. Currently, there are no treatment guidelines.

Objective

To systematically assess the existing literature on various treatment modalities and their efficacies when used in the management of EPD.

Evidence review

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Libraries, Scopus, and clicnialtrial.gov databases for articles in the English language with no limited time frame. Emphasis was placed on articles that reported on treatment for EPD.

Findings

Of the 168 articles identified by the literature search, 92 met eligibility criteria and were included for qualitative analysis. Efficacious topical treatments included clobetasol, betamethasone, and tacrolimus. Ninety‐three and 88% of cases utilizing clobetasol and betamethasone respectively demonstrated improvement or resolution. All 32 cases utilizing tacrolimus reported improvement. Efficacious systemic treatments included oral steroids such as prednisone, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone. Topical dapsone, photodynamic therapy, systemic steroids, cyclosporine, and oral zinc derivatives were also described with some success.

Conclusions and relevance

According to available data, limited solely to case reports and case series, potent topical steroids are an effective treatment option for EPD. Topical tacrolimus may also be considered in cases that require long‐term use or maintenance. Other treatment modalities shown to be successful based on high reported efficacy and low rates of recurrence after treatment include topical dapsone, systemic steroids, zinc derivatives, and cyclosporine. Further studies are needed to compare treatment modalities and to establish treatment protocols.
Measuring Discontinuities in Time Series Obtained with Repeated Sample Surveys
Authors: van den Brakel Jan , Zhang Xichuan (Mark) , Tam Siu‐Ming
Published: January 2020

A key requirement of repeated surveys conducted by national statistical institutes is the comparability of estimates over time, resulting in uninterrupted time series describing the evolution of finite population parameters. This is often an argument to keep survey processes unchanged as long as possible. It is nevertheless inevitable that a survey process will need to be redesigned from time to time, for example, to improve or update methods or implement more cost‐effective data collection procedures. It is important to quantify the systematic effects or discontinuities of a new survey process on the estimates of a repeated survey to avoid a disturbance in the comparability of estimates over time. This paper reviews different statistical methods that can be used to measure discontinuities and manage the risk due to a survey process redesign.
Topical stabilized hypochlorous acid: The future gold standard for wound care and scar management in dermatologic and plastic surgery procedures
Authors: Gold Michael H. , Andriessen Anneke , Bhatia Ashish C. , Bitter Patrick , Chilukuri Suneel , Cohen Joel L. , Robb Chris W.
Published: January 2020

Background

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a naturally occurring molecule produced by the immune system, is highly active against bacterial, viral, and fungal microorganisms. Moreover, HOCl is active against biofilm and increases oxygenation of the wound site to improve healing. Natural HOCl is unstable; through technology, it can be stabilized into an effective topical antiseptic agent.

Aim

This paper focuses on the use of topical stabilized HOCl in wound and scar management for pre‐, peri‐, and postprocedures—including its ability to reduce the occurrence hypertrophic scars and keloids. The role of the product in other skin conditions is beyond the scope of this article.

Methods

A panel comprising clinicians with experience in cosmetic and surgical procedures met late 2018 to discuss literature search results and their own current clinical experience regarding topical stabilized HOCl. The panel of key opinion leaders in dermatology and plastic surgery defined key insights and consensus statements on the direction of use for the product.

Results

Topical stabilized HOCl provides an optimal wound healing environment and, when combined with silicone, may be ideal for reducing scarring. Additionally, in contrast to chlorhexidine, HOCl, used as an antiseptic skin preparation, raises no concerns of ocular‐ or ototoxicity.

Conclusions

For wound care and scar management, topical stabilized HOCl conveys powerful microbicidal and antibiofilm properties, in addition to potency as a topical wound healing agent. It may offer physicians an alternative to other less desirable wound care measures.
Movements and trends in intensive care pain treatment and sedation: What matters to the patient?
Authors: Wøien Hilde
Published: January 2020

Background

Oversedation, delirium and immobilisation in the intensive care unit are associated with increased length of stay in the unit. Routines of systematic pain and sedation assessment and the use of valid tools are highly stressed in international guidelines. For improving the quality of pain treatment and sedation in a Norwegian intensive care unit, in 2009–2015, we compared supplementation with an analgosedation approach and the existing systematic approach, measured by the adherence to current international pain, sedation and delirium guidelines.

Methods

In a longitudinal study following the Standards for Reporting Implementation Studies, pain, sedation, delirium and mobilisation data from patients' complete intensive care unit stays, encompassing three separate periods of 4–6 months, were compared. The primary outcome was adherence to current protocol including assessment and documentation of patients' level of pain, sedation and prevalence of delirium at least every 8 hr, early mobilisation and titration towards a light level of sedation.

Results

We included 205 patients, corresponding to 1,607 patient intensive care unit days. The patient sedation levels, measured by the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale, decreased significantly, from −2.2 in 2009–−1.7 in 2015, so did the amount of administrated propofol. Mean pain scores measured by the numeric rating scale during activity were maximum 3.1 in 2014, decreasing to 2.2 in 2015. In patients not able to self‐report, pain mean scores were 1.7 in 2014 and 1.6 in 2015, measured by the Critical Care Pain Observational Tool. The number of patients unable to assess for delirium decreased significantly. By discounting the group of patients unable to assess, the prevalence of delirium varied from 32%, 25% and 33%.

Conclusion

The goal of having an awake patient able to cooperate, with acceptable levels of pain, was gradually achieved during a 6‐year period. The results showed that pain treatment and sedation in the intensive care unit primarily succeeded in the setting of an established routine of systematic assessment and documentation.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results of the study draw attention to pain treatment, sedation and delirium in intensive care patients, as well as implementation strategies aimed at achieving healthcare personnel's adherence to international guidelines in clinical practice.
The Demography of Families: A Review of Patterns and Change
Authors: Smock Pamela J. , Schwartz Christine R.
Published: January 2020

The authors review demographic trends and research on families in the United States, with a special focus on the past decade. They consider the following several topics: (a) marriage and remarriage, (b) divorce, (c) cohabitation, (d) fertility, (e) same‐gender unions, (f) immigrant families, and (g) children's living arrangements. Throughout, the authors review both overall trends and patterns as well as those by social class and race–ethnicity. The authors discuss major strands of recent research, emphasizing emerging themes and promising directions. They close with a summary of central patterns and trends and conclude that recent trends are not as uniform as they tended to be in earlier decades, making the description of family change increasingly complex.
Parenthood and Well‐Being: A Decade in Review
Authors: Nomaguchi Kei , Milkie Melissa A.
Published: January 2020

Understanding social aspects of parental well‐being is vital because parents' welfare has implications not only for the parents themselves but also for child development, fertility, and the overall health of a society. This article provides a critical review of scholarship on parenthood and well‐being in advanced economies published from 2010 to 2019. It focuses on the role of social, economic, cultural, and institutional contexts of parenting in influencing adult well‐being. The authors identify major themes, achievements, and challenges and organize the review around the demands‐rewards perspective and two other theoretical frameworks: the stress process model and the life course perspective. The analysis shows that rising economic insecurities and inequalities and a diffusion of intensive parenting ideology were major social contexts of parenting in the 2010s. Scholarship linking parenting contexts and parental well‐being illuminated how stressors related to providing and caring for children could unjustly burden some parents, especially mothers, those with fewer socioeconomic resources, and those with marginalized statuses. In that vein, researchers continued to emphasize how stressors diverged by parents' socioeconomic status, gender, and partnership status, with new attention to strains experienced by racial/ethnic minority, immigrant, and sexual minority parents. Scholars' comparisons of parents' positions in various countries expanded, enhancing knowledge regarding specific policy supports that allow parents to thrive. Articulating future research within a stress process model framework, the authors show vibrant theoretical pathways, including conceptualizing potential parental social supports at multiple levels, attending to the intersection of multiple social locations of parents, and renewing attention to local contextual factors and parenting life stages.
Understanding Implicit Bias: Putting the Criticism into Perspective
Authors: Brownstein Michael , Madva Alex , Gawronski Bertram
Published: January 2020

What is the status of research on implicit bias? In light of meta‐analyses revealing ostensibly low average correlations between implicit measures and behavior, as well as various other psychometric concerns, criticism has become ubiquitous. We argue that while there are significant challenges and ample room for improvement, research on the causes, psychological properties, and behavioral effects of implicit bias continues to deserve a role in the sciences of the mind as well as in efforts to understand, and ultimately combat, discrimination and inequality.
Parents' roles and question‐asking during pretend and real activities
Authors: Taggart Jessica , Ellwood Meghan , Vasc Dermina , Chin Sarah , Lillard Angeline S.
Published: January 2020

All activities—real and pretend—provide children opportunities to learn new facts and skills, and parents are often facilitators. Yet little is known about whether and how parents' roles and interactions differ during pretend versus real activities. Here, we examine whether parents self‐report adopting different roles during pretend and real activities and whether we observe changes in their behavior, in particular in their question‐asking; either could impact the potential learning opportunities available to children. Thirty‐two parents engaged their 4‐year ‐olds in one pretend and one real activity (cleaning and snacking, counterbalanced). They self‐reported their roles, and speech was transcribed and coded. Parents regarded their role as a partner in fun during pretend and as a teacher or monitor during real activities. Across pretend and real contexts, they mostly asked information‐seeking questions, followed by rhetorical and pedagogical questions. They asked significantly more questions during pretend than real activities, particularly rhetorical questions. During real activities, parents' roles were not related to the number or types of questions they asked. However, during pretend, their roles were related to the number of rhetorical questions they asked: Monitors asked significantly fewer than teachers. Possible complementary benefits of each activity based on patterns of roles and questions are discussed.
Use of a cloud‐based search engine of a centralized donor database to identify historical antigen‐negative units in hospital inventories
Authors: Denomme Gregory A. , Reinders Steve , Bensing Kathleen M. , Piefer Cindy , Schanen Michael , Curnes Jennifer , Treml Angela , Gottschall Jerome L. , Anani Waseem Q.
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

The provision of units with antigen‐negative attributes is required for alloimmunized transfusion recipients and to avoid alloimmunization among patients on chronic transfusion support. Recent evidence confirms that the demand for antigen‐typed units is increasing.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A cloud‐based search engine was designed by the blood center to find antigen‐negative units. The service provided access to historical antigen information for units in hospital inventories. The hospital transfusion service was required to confirm the antigen phenotype. The results of 16 hospitalsʼ use over 5 years were analyzed to determine trends and value of the service. The time commitment of the cloud‐based query was compared to the hospital performing manual phenotyping with an outcome of at least one unit found with the desired antigen‐negative attribute(s).

RESULTS

Hospitals were located between 4 miles and 200 miles away from the blood center. A total of 6,081 queries were submitted over the 5 years, with an overall 50% success rate of finding at least one unit. Single antigen queries accounted for 67% of total searches, with two antigen queries and three or more antigen queries accounting for 24% and 9% of the units found, respectively. The cloud‐based antigen query was most efficient for combined antigen frequencies <0.5 for two or more antigen‐negative attributes.

CONCLUSION

A cloud‐based search engine provides hospitals with access to historical antigen information housed at the blood center. Future refinements may consider regulatory submission of a process to provide confirmed historical information through this cloud‐based program.
Drying Characteristics of Elephant Foot Yam and Performance Evaluation of Convective Dryer in Kinetically and Equilibrium Controlled Regime Under Varying Conditions
Authors: Singh Punit , Talukdar Prabal
Published: January 2020

Drying characteristics of elephant foot yam (EFY) are determined at three different air velocities and temperatures using an innovative convective dryer. The performance of the convective dryer is also determined and compared based on four parameters namely total energy consumption, specific energy consumption (SEC), drying and thermal efficiency, working in kinetically controlled regime (KCR), and equilibrium controlled regime (ECR). EFY has excellent medicinal properties and used for the treatment of various diseases; in spite of that, its drying characteristics have not been reported. The entire drying process of the EFY sample can be divided into three stages, and it is observed that around 80% of the moisture is removed in the first stage and only 5% of the moisture is removed in the last stage. The constant drying rate period is absent, and depending on the different slopes, the entire drying rate period comes under three falling rate periods. A correlation of EFY with air velocity and temperature is developed, and the maximum and minimum values of effective moisture diffusivity (EMD) are found to be 2.65 × 10−10 and 7.15 × 10−10 m2/s, respectively.
Growth of Saprophytic and Pathogenic Leptospira: Evaluation of Medium, Temperature, Inoculum, and Cost
Authors: Finn Mary A. , Jones Ronald H.
Published: January 2020

Of four media tested, a tissue culture medium supplemented with a bovine serum albumin-oleic acid complex provided the best leptospiral growth and cost efficiency.
Rickettsial cell water and membrane permeability determined by a micro space technique
Authors: Winkler H H
Published: January 2020

A micro space technique for determining membrane permeability in Rickettsia prowazeki is described and justified. The cell water, cell wall plus periplasmic volume, and glutamate, ethylene glycol, and adenosine diphosphate permeabilities were determined by this method. The effect of nonionic detergents on rickettsial permeability was examined: Triton X-100 destroyed the permeability barrier, whereas Lubrol-WX left it intact.
Temperature limitation of methanogenesis in aquatic sediments
Authors: Zeikus J G , Winfrey M R
Published: January 2020

Microbial methanogenesis was examined in sediments collected from Lake Mendota, Wisconsin, at water depths of 5, 10, and 18 m. The rate of sediment methanogenesis was shown to vary with respect to sediment site and depth, sampling date, in situ temperature, and number of methanogens. Increased numbers of methanogenic bacteria and rates of methanogenesis correlated with increased sediment temperature during seasonal change. The greatest methanogenic activity was observed for 18-m sediments throughout the sampling year. As compared with shallower sediments, 18-m sediment was removed from oxygenation effects and contained higher amounts of ammonia, carbonate, and methanogenic bacteria, and the population density of methanogens fluctuated less during seasonal change. Rates of methanogenesis in 18-m sediment cores decreased with increasing sediment depth. The optimum temperature, 35 to 42 C, for sediment methanogenesis was considerably higher than the maximum observed in situ temperature of 23 C. The conversion of H2 and [14C]carbonate to [14C]methane displayed the same temperature optimum when these substrates were added to sediments. The predominant methanogenic population had simple nutritional requirements and were metabolically active at 4 to 45 C. Hydrogen oxidizers were the major nutritional type of sediment methanogens; formate and methanol fermentors were present, but acetate fermentors were not observed. Methanobacterium species were most abundant in sediments although Methanosarcina, Methanococcus, and Methanospirillum species were observed in enrichment cultures. A chemolithotropic species of Methanosarcina and Methanobacterium was isolated in pure culture that displayed temperature optima above 30 C and had simple nutritional requirements.
Improved Specimen Coating Technique for Scanning Electron Microscope Observation of Decomposer Microorganisms
Authors: Draggan Sidney
Published: January 2020

Sputter coating of leaf litter microbe samples provides scanning electron microscope images with greater information content than either vacuum evaporation of thin metal coatings or tissue conductance.
Growth of
Clostridium tertium
and
Clostridium septicum
in Chemically Defined Media
Authors: Hasan S. M. , Hall J. B.
Published: January 2020

Defined media for the growth of
Clostridium tertium
and
Clostridium septicum
are described. The requirements for growth of these two species are compared with each other and with those of
Clostridium perfringens
.
Design of a Microculture Chamber to Observe Cell Division of Bacterial L-Forms in Liquid Medium
Authors: Nagy Stephen S. , Gilpin Richard W.
Published: January 2020

A culture chamber is described that permits phase-contrast microscopic observations of the growth of stable L-form cells of
Bacillus subtilis
168 in liquid medium.
Natural Protoplast
Dunaliella
as a Source of Protein
Authors: Gibbs N. , Duffus C. M.
Published: January 2020

The protein content of once-washed pellets of
Dunaliella primalecta
was 35 to 48%. Protein quality was good. Electron microscopy confirmed the absence of a cell wall.
Teratogenicity of patulin and patulin adducts formed with cysteine
Authors: Ciegler A , Beckwith A C , Jackson L K
Published: January 2020

The mean lethal dose of patulin for the chicken embryo injected in the air cell before incubation was determined to be 68.7 mug and that for the 4-day-old embryo was 2.35 mug. Both patulin (1 to 2 mug/egg) and the reaction mixture between patulin and cysteine (15 to 150 mug of patulin equivalents) were teratogenic to the chicken embryo. At least two ninhydrin-negative and four ninhydrin-positive products were formed during the latter reaction. Our explanation of the reaction mechanism remains to be elaborated.
Resistance of a strain of Pseudomonas cepacia to esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid
Authors: Close J A , Neilsen P A
Published: January 2020

Cells of a strain of Pseudomonas cepacia were isolated from an oil-in-water emulsion containing methyl and propyl p-hydroxybenzoates (methylparaben and propylparaben) as preservative additives. This strain demonstrated the ability to destroy these additives, to utilize the propyl ester as sole carbon source, and to hydrolyze the methyl ester. When the isolate was grown on Eugon agar, exposure to the methyl ester killed 99.9% of the inoculum, but the surviving cells grew logarithmically. On the other hand, cells grown on media containing propylparaben were less susceptible when subsequently exposed to emulsions containing methylparaben. These observations demonstrate one mechanism by which microorganisms develop resistance to antimicrobial preservatives.
Enzymatic conversion of sterigmatocystin into aflatoxin B1 by cell-free extracts of Aspergillus parasiticus
Authors: Singh R , Hsieh D P
Published: January 2020

A cell-free extract, prepared from Aspergillus parasiticus ATCC 15517 grown in synthetic medium, was active in converting [14C]sterigmatocystin into aflatoxin B1 in the presence of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. The activity was demonstrated by the time course of conversion and the linear dependence of the yield of product on enzyme concentrations. Optimum activity was obtained at pH 7.5 to 7.8 at 27 C. The results confirm sterigmatocystin as a biogenetic precursor of aflatoxin B1. Techniques were developed for enzymatic studies on aflatoxin biosynthesis.
Mechanism of D-alanine production by Corynebacterium fascians
Authors: Yamada S , Wada M , Izuo N , Chibata I
Published: January 2020

The amounts of extracellular D-alanine accumulated by Corynebacterium fascians ATCC 21950 in a medium containing glycerol as the sole carbon source is increased to almost 12 mg/ml by adding pyruvate to the medium. Cell-free extracts of C. fascians were shown to possess both L-alanine dehydrogenase and alanine racemase activities. These results indicated that a mechanism exists that allows this microorganism to synthesize D-alanine from pyruvate. A study comparing the optical purity of the intracellular alanine and the extracellular alanine suggested that the cell membrane possesses the stereospecific permeability for D-alanine. Thus, it may be concluded that L-alanine is first formed from pyruvate by L-alanine dehydrogenase and then converted to D-alanine by racemase inside the cells. Subsequently, only D-alanine leaks out stereospecifically through the cell membrane, and large amounts of D-alanine accumulate in the extracellular medium.
Effect of acid and salt concentration in fresh-pack pickles on the growth of Clostridium botulinum spores
Authors: Ito K A , Chen J K , Lerke P A , Seeger M L , Unverferth J A
Published: January 2020

The addition of various amounts of acetic acid to pureed cucumbers inoculated with Clostridium botulinum spores has shown that outgrowth is inhibited at pH 4.8 but not at pH 5.0. Inoculation experiments with whole cucumbers showed that as little as 0.9% acetic acid in the brine was sufficient to prevent outgrowth from spore inocula as high as 10(6)/cucumber. It was further shown that the rapid rate of acetic acid penetration into fresh-pack pickles prevents the growth of any C. botulinum spores that may be present.
Oxidation of ethane by an Acremonium species
Authors: Davies J S , Wellman A M , Zajic J E
Published: January 2020

Ethane oxidation was studied in ethane-grown resting cells (mycelia) of an Acremonium sp. and in cell-free preparations of such mycelia. From resting cell experiments evidence was found for a pathway of ethane oxidation via ethanol, acetaldehyde, and acetic acid. In vitro studies indicated that ethane-oxidizing activity in such mycelia occurred predominantly in the microsomal fraction of crude homogenates. Microsomal preparations were inactive in the absence of added coenzyme. Marked stimulation of activity was obtained in such preparations with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and to a much lesser degree with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. Ethane oxidation was inhibited by sodium azide and carbon monoxide.
Preparation of phase 1Q fever antigen suitable for vaccine use
Authors: Spicer D S , DeSanctis A N
Published: January 2020

Five lots of phase 1 Q fever antigen suitable for use as vaccine were prepared utilizing the Freon-brushite method of antigen purification. Antigen concentration levels were initially adjusted turbidimetrically and later confirmed by antibody response in guinea pigs. Data showed that all lots were essentially identical in purity and antigenicity.
Effects of nutritional characteristics of Streptococcus agalactiae on inhibition of growth by lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate-hydrogen peroxide in chemically defined culture medium
Authors: Mickelson M N
Published: January 2020

Five cultures of Streptococcus agalactiae have an absolute requirement for L-cystine to grow in a chemically defined medium. The L-cystine could be replaced with cysteine, glutathione, or the disulfide form of glutathione. Dithiothreitol could not substitute for the sulfur-containing amino acids of glutathione; hence, the growth requirement appears to be truly nutritional. Growth was maximum with 4 to 5 mug of L-cystine per ml. If the concentration of L-cystine was no greater than 4 to 5 mug/ml, complete growth inhibition could be obtained by the addition of lactoperoxidase, thiocyanate, and H2O2. The growth inhibition, however, was nullified by additions of L-cystine 10-fold or more in excess of the concentration needed for maximum growth. During the aerobic degradation of glucose by cell suspensions, H2O2 accumulation could be shown with cultures 317 and 11-13, the only cultures the growth of which was inhibited without addition of exogenous H2O2. All of the cultures had varying degrees of peroxidase activity. The balance between H2O2 generation and peroxidase activity of the culture evidently determined whether growth could be inhibited with lactoperoxidase and thiocyanate without H2O2 addition. The growth yeilds per 0.5 mol of the disulfide forms (cystine and oxidized glutathione) were 1.5 and 1.9 times greater than that per 1 mol of the sulfhydryl forms (cysteine and glutathione).
Effect of temperature cycling on the production of aflatoxin by Asperfillus parasiticus
Authors: Stutz H K , Krumperman P H
Published: January 2020

Aspergillus parasiticus (NRRL 2999) was grown under cycling temperature conditions on rice and nutmeat substrates. Under conditions of diurnal and nocturnal time-temperature sequencing, total heat input is an important factor of toxin production. When expressed in degree hours per day, thermal input becomes more definitive and provides a finite number, which can be related to observable changes in the culture such as sporulation and toxin biosynthesis. Three well-defined levels of response were observed in relation to heat input: no growth was detected at thermal inputs of less than 208 degree hours/day; mycelial growth as well as copious amounts of an orange pigment were observed at thermal inputs between 208 and 270 degree hours/day; sporulation and aflatoxin biosynthesis occurred above 270 degree hours/day. Between the optimum and minimum thermal input, cycling temperatures significantly reduced the period of the trophophase over cultures receiving equal heat input at a constant rate. Cycling temperatures at the low and high extremes of the temperature range had little or no effect upon the growth pattern of the culture. Regardless of how temperature was manipulated, these responses were consistent with the heat input received by the culture. A. parasiticus did not compete well when mixed with natural fungal isolates from nutmeats and was easily overgrown by the wild isolates even at relatively high thermal input and when present in superior numbers. This factor and heat input generally below that required for toxin biogenesis at harvest time appear to be two significant factors that limit occurrence of aflatoxin on nut crops of the Willamette Valley. These factors are likely to have significance for other crops grown and harvested under similar circumstances.
Fine Structure of the
Bacillus thuringiensis
Spore
Authors: Gerhardt Philipp , Pankratz H. Stuart , Scherrer René
Published: January 2020

The thin-sectioned spore of
Bacillus thuringiensis
resembles that of
Bacillus cereus
in fine structure. Planar inclusions occur between the exosporium and spore coat and are structured differently from the parasporal crystal outside the exosporium.

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Desulfovibrio of the sheep rumen
Authors: Howard B H , Hungate R E
Published: January 2020

A sulfate-reducing bacterium has been isolated in pure culture from sheep rumen contents. Its properties agree in all respects tested with those ascribed to Desulfovibrio desulfuricans. The populations observed (about 10(8)/ml) are sufficient to account for published rates of ruminal sulfide production.
Growth and toxin production by Clostridium botulinum in moldy tomato juice
Authors: Huhtanen C N , Naghski J , Custer C S , Russell R W
Published: January 2020

Tomato juice inoculated with Cladosporium sp. or Penicillium sp. developed pH gradients with the upper portions near the mold mats having pH values near neutrality and the lower portions remaining more acid. Clostridium botulinum spores in these moldy tomato juices germinated, grew out, and produced toxin.
Production of an extracellular maltase by thermophilic Bacillus sp. KP 1035
Authors: Suzuki Y , Tsuji T , Abe S
Published: January 2020

Production of extracellular maltase was studied with thermophilic Bacillus sp. KP 1035, which was selected as the organism producing the highest levels of maltase. The final enzyme yield was increased by maltose, peptone, and yeast extract but reduced by succinate and fumarate. Maximum enzyme production was achieved at 55 degrees C and at an initial pH of 6.2 to 7.0 on a medium containing 0.3% maltose, 1% peptone, 0.1% meat extract, 0.3% yeast extract, 0.3% KH2PO4, and 0.1% KH2PO4. Maltase was synthesized in cytoplasm and accumulated as a large pool during the logarithmic growth phase, which preceded sporulation. At the end of this phase, the enzyme appeared in the culture broth, and its accumulation increased in parallel with a rise in the extracellular protein level. Maltase was stable for 24 h at 60 degrees C over a pH range of 5.6 to 9.0 and retained 95% of the original activity after treatment for 20 min at 70 degrees C at pH 6.8.
Sublethal heat stress of Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Authors: Emswiler B S , Pierson M D , Shoemaker S P
Published: January 2020

When Vibrio parahaemolyticsu ATCC 17802 was heated at 41 degrees C for 30 min in 100 mM phosphate-3% NaCl buffer (pH 7.0), the plate counts obtained when using Trypticase soy agar containing 0.25% added NaCl (0.25 TSAS) were nearly 99.9% higher than plate counts using Trypticase soy agar containing 5.5% added NaCl (5.5 TSAS). A similar result was obtained when cells of V. parahaemolyticus were grown in a glucose salts medium (GSM) and heated at 45 degrees C. The injured cells recovered salt tolerance within 3 h when placed in either 2.5 TSBS or GSM at 30 degrees C. The addition of chloramphenicol, actinomycin D, or nalidixic acid to 2.5 TSBS during recovery of cells grown in 2.5 TSBS indicated that recovery was dependent upon protein, ribonucleic acid (RNA, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis. Penicillin did not inhibit the recovery process. Heat-injured, GSM-grown cells required RNA synthesis but not DNA synthesis during recovery in GSM. Chemical analyses showed that total cellular RNA decreased and total cellular DNA remained constant during heat injury. The addition of [6-3H]uracil, L-[U-14C]leucine, and [methyl-3H]thymidine to the recovery media confirmed the results of the antibiotic experiments.
Purification and specificity of bacteriolytic enzyme I from Hartmannella glebae
Authors: Upadhyay J M , Mares B A , Hemelt D M , Rivet P G
Published: January 2020

A soil amoeba (Hartmannella glebae), when grown in conjunction with Enterobacter aerogenes and Alcaligenes faecalis, produced two enzymes. Enzyme I was purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose. It is a basic protein. The analysis of the enzymic digest of the cell walls of Micrococcus lysodeikticus after reduction and acid hydrolysis showed that the enzyme cleaved the glycosidic bond between acetylmuramic acid and acetylglucosamine of the peptidoglycan moiety of the cell walls. The enzyme is identified as endo-beta-N-acetylmuramidase.
Partial Purification and Some Properties of Tyrosine Phenol-Lyase from
Aeromonas phenologenes
ATCC 29063
Authors: Carman G. M. , Levin R. E.
Published: January 2020

Tyrosine phenol-lyase was purified 32-fold from
Aeromonas phenologenes
ATCC 29063, the organism that produces phenol in refrigerated haddock. The purification procedure included ammonium sulfate fractionation, protamine sulfate treatment, and column chromatography with Sephadex G-200, diethyl-aminoethyl-cellulose, and hydroxyapatite. The enzyme was found to be thermally inactivated at temperatures above 40°C. The optimum pH of the enzyme was found to be pH 8.5. The Michaelis constants for
l
-tyrosine and pyridoxal phosphate were 2.3 × 10
-4
M and 3.2 × 10
-5
M, respectively. The molecular weight of tyrosine phenol-lyase was found by gel filtration and electrophoresis to be approximately 380,000.
Modification of Membrane Diffusion Chambers for Deep-Water Studies
Authors: Fliermans C. B. , Gorden R. W.
Published: January 2020

Membrane diffusion chambers as modified for deep-water lakes provided an improved handling ease, freedom from external damage, extended sampling life, good diffusivity, and excellent statistical reproducibility.
Fatty acid fingerprints of Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10832 grown at various temperatures
Authors: Drucker D B , Veazey F J
Published: January 2020

Fatty acid fingerprints were determined gas chromatographically for Strepcococcus mutans NCTC 1082 which had been grown in batch brain heart infusion at a series of nine temperatures ranging from 29.0 to 40.0 degrees C. The major acids at all temperatures were n-palmitic and octadecenoic acids. Other acids detected at all temperatures included n-myristic, palmitoleic, n-stearic, and eicosenoic acids. An increase in temperature resulted in a decrease in the proportion of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids, indicating the importance of accurate temperature control in such gas-liquid chromatographic, chemotaxonomic studies.
Inactivation of clay-associated bacteriophage MS-2 by chlorine
Authors: Stagg C H , Wallis C , Ward C H
Published: January 2020

The model system consisted of bacteriophage MS-2, bentonite clay, and hypochlorous acid (HOC1). Factors that influenced association of the bacterial virus with bentonite were the titer of unadsorbed viruses, clay concentration, cation concentration, temperature, stirring rate, and the presence of soluble organics. Variation of the kinetic adsorption rate constant with stirring speed indicates that phage attachment is a diffusion-limited process; the attachment reaction has an apparent activation energy of 1 kcal/mol. About 18% of clay-associated bacteriophages was recovered by mixing the suspension with an organic eluent. Inactivation data were obtained from batch reactors operated under those conditions in which loss of HOC1 was minimal during the reaction. Bacteriophages attached to clay were more resistant to HOC1 than were freely suspended phages; for equivalent HOC1 concentrations, clay-associated phages required about twice the time that freely suspended phages required for loss of 99% of the initial virus titer.
Generalized indicator plate for genetic, metabolic, and taxonomic studies with microorganisms
Authors: Bochner B R , Savageau M A
Published: January 2020

We have developed an indicator plate that works well for diverse types of substrates and microorganisms. The plates are inexpensive and easy to prepare. The essential components are agar, buffer, growth-supporting nutrients, a test substrate, and 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC). Using various strains of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli, we have studied and defined the contribution of each component to the satisfactory function of the plate. Colonies capable of catabolizing the test substrate reduce TTC and produce a deep red formazan, whereas colonies failing to catabolize the substrate remain uncoloured. Those with intermediate rates of catabolism differ in rate and/or extent of color formation. In all cases the color is stable because TTC reduction is essentially irreversible. Since the mode of action of these plates is fairly well understood, alternative formulations can be devised to meet specific needs. The general applicability of this TTC indicator system makes it an extremely useful tool in microbial genetics, metabolism, and taxonomy.
Continuous-flow system for large-scale ultraviolet irradiation of bacterial cells
Authors: Joshi J G , Swenson P A
Published: January 2020

A quartz-flow-cell system for irradiation of large volumes of Escherichia coli cultures with ultraviolet light is described. With this system kilogram quantities of irradiated cells can be obtained for biochemical studies. Changes in respiration and in specific activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, after an ultraviolet treatment that reduced viability of culture samples to 0.2%, were in good agreement with those for cultures irradiated (52J/m2) by a conventional small-scale method to produce the same reduction in viability.