bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
National Data Warehouse
Authors: Viti Francesco , Hoogendoorn Serge P. , Immers Lambertus H. (Ben) , Tampère Chris M. J. , Lanser Sascha Hoogendoorn
Published: September 2008

Every day, traffic managers and road users use different sources of information on the current state of the road network in their decision process. The efficiency of these decisions strongly depends on how accurate, reliable, and timely the available information is. Moreover, the data collected are typically scattered in space and time; large areas are usually unmonitored, and data quality is undependable. Within this view, the distribution of a unique data set that contains sufficient levels of quality over the whole network may improve the way information is provided to the user and improve the effectiveness of management strategies. The need for guaranteed standard levels of data quality for road authorities and service providers motivated the establishment of the National Data Warehouse project to provide traffic information as well as information on the status of the road network system as a whole. This information is extended to a basic network level, which allows road authorities or service providers to combine this information with their own data set and obtain a broader view of the problems that occur on the network they manage or monitor. The requirements that such a data bank should satisfy—namely, the accuracy and reliability of information (which depend on the spatial location and aggregation time)—were investigated. The impact of these elements has been quantified through theoretical and numerical analysis, showing that both elements strongly affect good estimation and prediction of travel times and network states, especially under variable traffic conditions.
Navigating the Strait of Magellan: mapping a new paradigm for neurosurgical residency training
Authors: Popp A. John
Published: September 2008

At the conclusion of his year as 81st president of the Society of Neurological Surgeons, the author delivered the following address at the 2007 annual meeting of the Society of Neurological Surgeons in San Francisco. In his address, Dr. Popp used the voyage of Ferdinand Magellan to illustrate the present climate affecting residency training and why the current training paradigm must be examined and, where necessary, changed. Based on this call to action the leaders of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, The American Board of Neurological Surgeons, The Congress of Neurological Surgeons, The Council of State Neurosurgical Societies, The Residency Review Committee for Neurosurgery, The Society of Neurological Surgeons, and the Washington Committee for Neurosurgery agreed to hold an unprecedented Education Summit meeting to investigate a comprehensive approach to evaluating and changing the current neurosurgical residency training model.
Intraoperative mapping of language functions: a longitudinal neurolinguistic analysis
Authors: Ilmberger Josef , Ruge Maximilian , Kreth Friedrich-Wilhelm , Briegel Josef , Reulen Hans-Juergen , Tonn Joerg-Christian
Published: September 2008

Object

This prospective longitudinally designed study was conducted to evaluate language functions pre- and postoperatively in patients who underwent microsurgical treatment of tumors in close proximity to or within language areas and to detect those patients at risk for a postoperative aphasic disturbance.

Methods

Between 1991 and 2005, 153 awake craniotomies with subsequent cortical mapping of language functions were performed in 149 patients. Language functions were assessed using a standardized test battery. Risk factors were obtained from multivariate logistic regression models.

Results

Language mapping was able to be performed in all patients, and complete tumor resection was achieved in 48.4%. Within 21 days after surgery a new language deficit (aphasic disturbance) was observed in 41 (32%) of the 128 cases without preoperative deficits. There were a total of 60 cases involving postoperative aphasic disturbances, including cases both with and without preoperative disturbances. Risk factors for postoperative aphasic disturbance were preoperative aphasia (p < 0.0002), intraoperative complications (p < 0.02), language-positive sites within the tumor (p < 0.001), and nonfrontal lesion location (p < 0.001). In patients without a preoperative deficit, a normal (yet submaximal) naming performance was a powerful predictor for an early postoperative aphasic disturbance (p < 0.0003). Seven months after treatment 10.9% of the 128 cases without preoperative aphasic disturbances continued to demonstrate new postoperative language disturbances. A total of 17.6% of all cases demonstrated new postoperative language disturbances after 7 months. Risk factors for persistent aphasic disturbance were increased age (> 40 years, p < 0.02) and preoperative aphasia (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Every attempt should be undertaken to preserve language-relevant areas intraoperatively, even when they are located within the tumor. New postoperative deficits resolve in the majority of patients, which may be a result of cortical mapping as well as functional reorganization.
Correlation of intrinsic optical signal, cerebral blood flow, and evoked potentials during activation of rat somatosensory cortex
Authors: Haglund Michael M. , Meno Joseph R. , Hochman Daryl W. , Ngai Al C. , Winn H. Richard
Published: September 2008

Object

This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that cerebral blood flow (CBF) and the intrinsic optical signal could be dissociated by altering adenosine receptor activity and to uncover the origin of the optic signal using a cranial window in the anesthetized rat.

Methods

In anesthetized, ventilated, and temperature-controlled rats with closed cranial windows, the authors evaluated simultaneously the alterations in pial arteriolar diameter, intrinsic optical signals (690 nm), and somatosensory evoked potentials during cortical activation evoked by contralateral sciatic nerve stimulation (SNS). To dissociate the vascular and intrinsic signal, they topically applied the adenosine receptors antagonists theophylline (5 μM), which affects A1 and A2A receptors, and 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (CPX, 1 μM), which blocks the A1 receptor. The former interacts primarily with the vasculature whereas the latter influences the parenchyma exclusively.

Results

During 20 seconds of contralateral SNS, pial arterioles in the hindlimb somatosensory cortex dilated in a characteristic peak and shoulder pattern. As compared with mock cerebrospinal fluid alone, theophylline significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated SNS-induced vasodilation (mean ± standard deviation 8.1 ± 2.5% vs 21.7 ± 1.9%; 4 rats in each group). In contrast, CPX potentiated vasodilation significantly (p < 0.05) during SNS (54.7 ± 15.8% for the CPX group vs 20.1 ± 1.9% for the controls; 5 rats in each group).

The change in optical signal persisted after cessation of SNS in all the animals. Thus, the pattern of change of the optical signal was distinctly different from the pattern of changes in arteriolar diameter (which returned rapidly to baseline). Moreover, the optical signal during SNS was increased by 50% by theophylline and by almost 5-fold by CPX (p < 0.05). The area of change of the intrinsic signal was also increased by the topical application of theophylline and CPX.

The somatosensory evoked potential recordings revealed no significant changes after theophylline application, but CPX caused a small diminution of the N1 wave (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The noncongruent temporal profiles of the changes in pial arteriolar diameter and optical signal, imaged at 690 nm, indicate that the optical signal at 690 nm is not related to CBF. Alteration of adenosine receptor activity independently changed cortical activity, as measured by the optical signal, and CBF, as determined by pial arteriolar diameter. Manipulation of the adenosine receptor activity during increased cortical activity confirmed the temporal dissociation of optical signal and CBF and provided further evidence for the role of adenosine in regulating CBF.
Neuroprotective effects of erythropoietin on acute metabolic and pathological changes in experimentally induced neurotrauma
Authors: Hartley Chad E. , Varma Madhu , Fischer John P. , Riccardi Richard , Strauss Judith A. , Shah Sejal , Zhang Shengle , Yang Zhong-Jin
Published: September 2008

Object

Head trauma is a dynamic process characterized by a cascade of metabolic and molecular events. Erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to have neuroprotective effects in animal models of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Acute in vivo mechanisms and pathological changes associated with EPO following TBI are unknown. In this study the authors compare acute metabolic and pathological changes following TBI with and without systemically administered EPO.

Methods

Right frontal lobe microdialysis cannulae and right parietal lobe percussion hubs were inserted into 16 Sprague–Dawley rats. After a 4- to 5-day recovery, TBI was induced via a DragonFly fluid-percussion device at 2.5–2.8 atm. Rats were randomized into 2 groups, which received 5000 U/kg EPO or normal saline intraperitoneally 30 minutes after TBI. Microdialysis samples for glucose, lactate, pyruvate, and glutamate were obtained every 25 minutes for 10 hours. Rats were killed, their brains processed for light microscopy, and sections stained with H & E.

Results

Erythropoietin administered 30 minutes after TBI directly affects acute brain metabolism. Brains treated with EPO maintain higher levels of glucose 4–10 hours after TBI (p < 0.01), lower levels of lactate 6–10 hours after TBI (p < 0.01), and lower levels of pyruvate 7.5–10 hours after TBI (p < 0.01) compared with saline-treated controls. Erythropoietin maintains aerobic metabolism after TBI. Systemic EPO administration reduces acute TBI-induced lesion volume (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Following TBI, neuron use initially increases, with subsequent depletion of extracellular glucose, resulting in increased levels of extracellular lactate and pyruvate. This energy requirement can result in cell death due to increased metabolic demands. These data suggest that the neuroprotective effect of EPO may be partially due to improved energy metabolism in the acute phase in this rat model of TBI.
Temporal lobectomy for refractory status epilepticus in a case of limbic encephalitis
Authors: Weimer Tracy , Boling Warren , Pryputniewicz David , Palade Adriana
Published: September 2008

The authors report a case of status epilepticus secondary to limbic encephalitis that was successfully treated with temporal lobectomy. A 45-year-old woman presented in status epilepticus refractory to high-dose suppressive medical therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed T2- and FLAIR-weighted hyperintensities in the right temporal lobe, left and right frontal lobes, and pons. A lumbar puncture revealed normal findings. Continuous electroencephalography monitoring showed continued right temporal seizure activity. A paraneoplastic panel was positive for N-type voltage-gated calcium channels. Subsequent bronchial biopsy revealed small cell carcinoma of the lung. A right temporal lobectomy was performed due to refractory status, resulting in resolution of seizure activity and recovery of good neurological function. The authors describe their case and review the literature on surgical therapy for refractory status epilepticus and limbic encephalitis.
Organization of firm networks: Five critical points for empirical analysis
Authors: Zylbersztajn Decio
Published: September 2008

Network theory has continued to evolve in recent years, but empirical studies are still lagging behind. Complex hybrid forms, meanwhile, are actually being structured in the real world of organizations, leaving a gap to be filled by theoretical and applied research. On the theoretical side some consolidation is necessary, and on the empirical side a research agenda has yet to be properly developed. This paper introduces and analyzes the dyadic perspective and the social embeddedness of networks. It offers a critical analysis challenging the radical social perspective. In addition, the paper introduces the possibility of observing trustless networks and adds six empirical questions in the format of a research agenda.
How to manage a long-term buyer-supplier relationship successfully? The impact of network information on long-term buyer-supplier relationships in the Dutch potted plant and flower industry
Authors: Claro Danny Pimentel , Zylbersztajn D. , (Onno) Omta S.W.F.
Published: September 2008

Recently, scholars have suggested that to understand fully the nature of a dyadic relationship, greater attention must be directed to the network context. In this study we drew on emerging perspectives on inter-firm governance and networks to develop a theoretical framework to understand the successful governance of long-term buyer-supplier relationships. In order to test the research framework, we conducted a survey among 174 merchant distributors (buyers) and 67 growers (suppliers) in the Dutch potted plant and flower industry. In the estimated models, we found several positive impacts of the information obtained from the business network on the dimensions of relationship management, and ultimately performance, both in terms of operations as well as finance. The results of this study support our rationale that the business network compensates for the information asymmetry assumed in transaction cost economics. Although there are several similarities in our findings, buyers and suppliers use clearly different information strategies to achieve success. While the most successful distributors tend to take the ‘hard’, tangible approach using transaction-specific investments and fostering joint action, the successful growers take the ‘soft’, social approach by putting emphasis on norms of flexibility in the relationship. Managers may use these findings to check the adequacy of their business networks and their approach to relationship management.
Ten conversations about identity preservation
Authors: Goldsmith Peter , Bender Karen
Published: September 2008

Dynamics in the global food system, along with a cascade of technologies, drive demands for capturing information and sharing information vertically within the supply chain. Food safety, genetic engineering, and animal welfare all have contributed to the need for enhanced information flow within the supply chain. Identity preservation in grains and oilseeds is an emerging issue that may influence the structure of agriculture in the longer term.

This research addresses the following questions. While demand for high-information grains appears to be growing, where and how along the supply chain is the value created and captured? Though it appears that the economy demands ever-increasing amounts of differentiation, why do opportunities for producers and life science companies to create and capture significant new sources of value remain elusive?

To answer these questions needs assessments were conducted with grain procurement executives. Their responses reveal the “buyer’s calculus” where buyers balance investment in specific relationship assets with the market uplift or risk mitigation return it generates. Buying from a competitively structured industry has numerous benefits. There is a “cost” or tradeoff leaving the spot market procurement model in favor of a relationship-based model; hence the calculus. The current equilibrium state reflects the current risk-adjusted value proposition suppliers deliver to end users.

Though end-user benefits are on the horizon with the next generation of biotechnologies, their emergence is insufficient to guarantee farmers and life science greater returns. End users will always balance the risk mitigation and market uplift features of a supply offering with the risks of narrowing their supply base. To drive value up the chain, suppliers need to shift away from focusing solely on the products of the future and focus on the technologies, delivery systems, and organizational models that, when bundled with new products solve problems and make end users more competitive.
A Model for understanding supply chain networks
Authors: Brito Carlos , Roseira Catarina
Published: September 2008

Organisational performance tends to be highly dependent on suppliers' actions and on the way the relationships with them are managed by the buying company. Researchers have conducted extensive and valuable studies on the impact of supplier relationships in a network context. However, some important issues regarding supply management and its effects on the strategy of the buying firm have not been fully investigated. This article presents a model of supply chain networks developed on the basis of the conceptual framework of the IMP group. The aim is to contribute toward a better understanding of supply management through the integration of both relational, portfolio and network issues.
Innovation in the food sector: Regional networks and internationalisation
Authors: Gellynck X. , Vermeire B. , Viaene J.
Published: September 2008

This paper focuses on the role of regional networks in processes of innovation, in relation to internationalisation. The findings are drawn from a survey conducted in the food sector in the region of Meetjesland, Belgium. The initial aim was to find out which regional characteristics are strongly related to the innovation competence of the food sector, by applying discriminant analysis. The results pointed to two factors as being the most significant: firms are classified as having a stronger innovation competence when networking within the region, and when oriented towards the international market. This finding contains an apparent paradox, which is related to contemporary research pointing at the importance of the regional business environment for the firm's performance, but also at the benefit of internationalisation. In this paper it is argued that these theories are not contradictory, and that firms gain innovation competence by searching for external knowledge on different geographical scales. The results demonstrate that the innovators in the sample tend to be operating internationally and networking within the region. Both firms and policy makers can learn from this finding by acknowledging that the region is one of the geographical scales at which the firm can make a profit. Improving regional networks is therefore a way to gain innovation competence.
Factors related to innovative output in the Dutch agrifood industry
Authors: Batterink Maarten , Wubben Emiel , (Onno) Omta S.
Published: September 2008

The present study assessed the factors related to innovative output in the Dutch agrifood industry, a scale-intensive, supplierdominated industry. We concentrated on explanatory variables related to cooperation, information sources, innovation objectives, obstacles to innovation, and innovation resources. Firm-level data were used from the Dutch section of the 2001 Community Innovation Survey (CIS, N=328). We conducted linear and binary logistic regression to analyse the data. The results show that in order to be successful in product innovation, firms must have a strong market orientation. Furthermore, we found that in order to become (more) innovative, firms must have organisational conditions in place, as organisational obstacles are associated with lower levels of innovative output. Innovation subsidies turn out to have a positive effect on both product and process innovations. With respect to the value of a focal firm's network, the surprising conclusion can be drawn that the network is not perceived as crucial for innovation: cooperation is not a factor that explains innovative output; and network actors are - only to a limited extent - perceived as important sources of information for innovation. Competitors as an important source of information explain the share of the total turnover from new or improved products, whereas suppliers are an important information source for process innovators. In summary, innovative agrifood firms do not rely strongly on external sources, contrary to expectations for supplier-dominated firms. Instead, Dutch innovative agrifood firms more strongly reflect the characteristics of scale-intensive firms.
Value chain risk and reward sharing and governance structures: Implications for industry strategy and structure
Authors: Gray Allan , Boehlje Michael , Preckel Paul
Published: September 2008

An essential feature of agricultural supply chains is that they must balance risk and reward sharing among participants so as to minimize transactions costs while adding value. A framework for understanding the tradeoff between internal transactions costs of ownership and external transactions costs of risk sharing is explored. Applied research results suggest producers and processors have incentives for increasing vertical arrangements and industry consolidation.
Relationship quality in agri-food chains: Supplier management in the German pork and dairy sector
Authors: Schulze B. , Wocken C. , Spiller A.
Published: September 2008

In this paper we develop a measurement scale for relationship quality in procurement which provides a management tool for agribusiness companies to evaluate their supply chain basis. In agribusiness, processors are often confronted with thousands of small farmer-suppliers. According to findings from several research streams, we argue that relationship quality must be conceptualised as a construct comprising satisfaction, trust, and commitment. We test our model for the German dairy and pork chains, thereby providing new insights into the critical success factors of initiating and maintaining relationships with agricultural suppliers. Relationship quality is determined by a number of factors. Though there are differences between the industries in question, we find some parallels in the factors explaining relationship quality. It is surprising that farmer orientation of the processor and perception of management competence by the farmer are more important than price satisfaction. Thus, understanding farmers' problems as well as better communication with the supplier are more relevant than the perceived price. Moreover, the data show that relationship quality affects willingness to co-operate more closely with the processor. Buyer-switching-behaviour can be reduced significantly. From these findings we draw some advice for processors to improve collaboration by means of supplier relationship management.
Dissemination of ECR in German dairy companies
Authors: Obersojer T. , Weindlmaier H.
Published: September 2008

The German food market has undergone tremendous changes in recent years. In food retailing a concentration process has taken place, discount shops have gained market share, and consumers have shown a hybrid and smart buying behaviour, demanding the highest quality at the lowest price. New information technologies have been developed and have enabled closer collaboration between the members of the chain. Therefore, the former isolated management of single firms should be replaced by vertical comprehensive management encompassing each member of the supply chain. In this context, Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) is seen as a successful supply chain strategy for the grocery industry. This paper provides an overview of the ECR concept and its strategies. Core requirements for a successful implementation of ECR in the dairy industry of three European countries are investigated. To that end, German, Austrian and Swiss dairies were surveyed about their preparedness and degree of implementation of ECR. Seven factors regarding the requirements were identified. However, these essential requirements for a successful ECR implementation have rarely been fulfilled so far. In practice, ECR is often tailored only to IT concerns. Distrust in the relationship between dairy companies and retailers and a lack of strategic orientation are the main obstacles for consistent implementation. According to these findings, the degree of implementation of ECR strategies is very low and the surveyed dairy companies only meet a few of the enabling technologies. The necessary logistic and marketing instruments are currently not being implemented.
Alliance management in social markets in the Netherlands: outcomes of practical reflections
Authors: Beemer Frank , Camps Theo , Kastelein Niels
Published: September 2008

Alliance management is often associated purely with enterprise and innovation in the private sector. However, it is precisely in 'social' sectors such as housing, care, welfare and education that a growing number of new alliances arebeing formed, often cutting across conventional sectors. Increasingly, they are arising between social and commercial institutions. Alliance management, including that of public-private alliances, is a logical response to the changing dominant logic in these markets and can lead to a controlled transition from a social sector to a social market.
The dynamics of the strategic network relations between corporate R&D and business: a longitudinal analysis in a large, technology-based multinational company
Authors: Fortuin Frances , (Onno) Omta S.
Published: September 2008

The present paper addresses the important issue of the management of the strategic network relations between corporate R&D and business in large divisionalized companies. In a large technology-based multinational company (± 30,000 employees) an instrument that provides regular feedback to both corporate R&D and business about strategic alignment, based on factors derived from the competence perspective and the network theory, has been tested in a longitudinal survey from 1997 through 2002 (696 respondents). It is concluded that a combination of both theoretical perspectives adds to a more in-depth understanding of the mechanisms at work in the complex R&D-to-business relations. The improved network communication based on structured feedback related to the level of R&D competencies as well as the level of R&D flexibility and information lead to better strategic alignment. It was further concluded that a governance structure that effectively balances the short-term orientation (via business unit funding) and the long-term orientation (via technology board funding) is effective to provide strategic alignment between R&D and business.
The role of guanxi networks and contracts in Chinese vegetable supply chains
Authors: Lu Hualiang , Trienekens Jacques , Omta Onno , Feng Shuyi
Published: September 2008

This paper investigates the effect of personal relationships (called guanxi in China) and contractual governance on compliance with channel requirements and on market performance for both vegetable farmers and processing and exporting firms in China. A survey of 167 farmers and 84 firms in Jiangsu Province, P.R. China provides the data for empirical study based on a structural model. The results demonstrate that guanxi networks in China significantly improve small-scale farmers' compliance with buyers' delivery requirements based on formal contracts, which eventually improves farmers' market performance. Vegetable firms, on the other hand, place more emphasis on formal contracts in order to improve suppliers' compliance with delivery requirements and thereby improve their own profitability. The results reveal that personal relationships and contracts have different impacts on farmers and firms.
Genetic modification and its impact on industry structure and performance: post-harvest deterioration of cassava in Thailand
Authors: Vlaar Paul , van Beek Paul , Visser Richard
Published: September 2008

Genetic modification has led to fierce debates around the world. Nevertheless, scientific evidence for its potential effects on the structure and performance of industries has hitherto remained rather meagre. In this article, we take some preliminary steps towards closing this gap by exploring the effects of the introduction of a genetically modified cassava variety on the structure and efficiency of the starch industry in Thailand. Currently, producers of cassava starch are confronted with a problem called post-harvest deterioration, which reduces the quantity and quality of starch in cassava roots within 24 to 48 hours after harvesting, leading to lower payments for farmers and lower starch recovery rates for factories. In addition, post-harvest deterioration prohibits factory owners to hold large stocks of fresh cassava. Combined with a strong seasonal fluctuation of supply, this leads to a low utilisation of installed processing capacities at the starch factories. In this article, we examine how the structure and performance of the Thai starch industry would change in case a genetically modified cassava variety would be introduced that no longer suffers from post-harvest deterioration. After having interviewed 19 stakeholders in this industry, we developed two simple linear programming models to examine the optimal locations, capacity classes and utilisation percentages for starch processing plants in the Northeast of Thailand. Our findings demonstrate that an extension of the storability of cassava to 45 days will not only diminish the number of factories needed, but it will also cause most large-sized factories to be replaced with medium-sized plants. Moreover, introducing a new cassava variety with such properties is estimated to render benefits of approximately US $ 35 million for Thai cassava farmers and factory owners.
The organization of transactions: research with the Trust and Tracing game
Authors: Meijer Sebastiaan , Hofstede Gert Jan , (Onno) Omta S.W.F. , Beers George
Published: September 2008

This paper presents empirical results of research on the influence of social aspects on the organization of transactions in the domain of chains and networks. The research method used was a gaming simulation called the Trust and Tracing game in which participants trade commodity goods with a hidden quality attribute. Previous sessions of this gaming simulation identified a list of variables for further investigation (Meijer et al., 2006). The use of gaming simulation as data gathering tool for quantitative research in supply chains and networks is a proof-of-principle. This paper shows results from 27 newly conducted sessions and previously unused data from 3 older sessions. Tests confirmed the use of network and market modes of organization. Pre-existing social relations influenced the course of the action in the sessions. Being socially embedded was not beneficial for the score on the performance indicators money and points. The hypothesized reduction in measurable transaction costs when there was high trust between the participants could not be found. Further analysis revealed that participants are able to suspect cheats in a session based on other factors than tracing. Testing hypotheses with data gathered in a gaming simulation proved feasible. Experiences with the methodology used are discussed.
Network analyses to catch rural complexity
Authors: De Rosa Marcello , Sabbatini Massimo , Spigola Massimo
Published: September 2008

This paper introduces a network analysis aimed at analysing the local actors’ degree of participation in performing rural development. Recent rural development policies designed an integrated model of development which promotes strong participation and relationships among local actors. This so-called ‘bottom-up’ approach hands over to local actors the responsibility for planning their own development: Local Action Groups, working within the European Community LEADER initiative are delegated to plan local development. The design of these plans is strongly affected by the asymmetric distribution of power among potentially involved organisations. In our opinion network analyses are particularly suitable for examining the quality of ties in rural areas and the degree of participation of all actors in building rural development strategies.
Mycobiota and naturally-occurring ochratoxin A in dairy cattle feed from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil
Authors: Rosa C. , Cavaglieri L. , Ribeiro J. , Keller K. , Alonso V. , Chiacchiera S. , Dalcero A. , Lopes C.
Published: September 2008

The worldwide contamination of foods and feeds with toxigenic fungi and its mycotoxins is a significant problem of great agro-economic importance. The impact of mycotoxins includes toxic effects on humans and animals with increased health care, veterinary care costs and a reduced livestock production. The aims of the present work were: (1) to determine the mycobiota present in raw materials and finished cow's feed as well as to determine the ability of several Aspergillus and Penicillium isolated species to produce ochratoxin A, and (2) to evaluate the ochratoxin A production on these substrates. Samples (133) (corn, brewer's grain, barley rootlets, cotton flour, pelletised citric pulp and finished cow's feed) were collected. They were examined for total moulds, Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. occurrence and relative densities. The capacity to produce ochratoxin A by selected Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. was determined by HPLC. Total mould counts were generally higher than 1 x 104 cfu/g. Aspergillus and Penicillium species were isolated in the highest numbers. Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and A. ochraceus were the most prevalent species. A. niger (38.5%), A. carbonarius (71.4%), A. ochraceus (32.7%), and P. verrucosum (13.1%) were OTA producers at levels that ranged between 9 and 126 µg/kg. Finished cow's feed (25%), corn (31%), barley rootlet (21.6%) and brewer's grain (45%) samples were positive for OTA contamination. In this study, total counts were over the proposed limit to ensure hygienic quality. In general, samples showed the main toxicogenic genera, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium, as prevalent. OTA producer strains were found and many samples yielded OTA levels higher than the permissible limits. OTA survey in raw materials and storage practices must be investigated to determine their occurrence and to establish the livestock toxicological risk in cow's feed.
Mycotoxins and eggshell quality: cracking the problem
Authors: Devegowda G. , Ravikiran D.
Published: September 2008

Good eggshell quality is essential for preservation of egg contents and embryonic life. Eggs with poor shell quality are rejected both as table eggs and as hatching eggs, leading to heavy economic losses. Dietary mycotoxins in laying hens can predispose them to or precipitate eggshell defects. Effects of various mycotoxins on poultry eggshell quality are reviewed. Methods in practice for alleviation of these effects have been discussed.
Patulin biodegradation using Pichia ohmeri and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Coelho A. , Celli M. , Sataque Ono E. , Hoffmann F. , Pagnocca F. , Garcia S. , Sabino M. , Harada K. , Wosiacki G. , Hirooka E.
Published: September 2008

The effectiveness of Pichia ohmeri and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the biodegradation of patulin was evaluated in vitro. Patulin is a toxin produced by Penicillium expansum, the predominant fungal contaminant in post-harvest apple. The biodegradation experiment was carried out in culture medium (Yeast Medium broth, YM) and commercial apple juice. These substrates were artificially contaminated with patulin previously produced by P. expansum strain 2 in malt extract broth and purified over a silica gel column. The YM broth was inoculated with P. ohmeri 158 with proved anti-P. expansum activity, whereas the apple juice was inoculated with dried Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. The residual patulin in contaminated substrates was determined by reversed-phase HPLC. P. ohmeri 158 in YM broth degraded over 83% of the initial 223 µg (8.92 µg/ml) of patulin after incubation at 25 °C for two days under static conditions; after five days of incubation, this percentage was greater than 99%, and patulin levels fell below the limit of detection after 15 days. In the apple juices inoculated with 0.25 g/l of commercial dried S. cerevisiae cells (corresponding 1.8 x 107 cells/ml), 96% of patulin was degraded (initial contamination of 4.5 µg/ml of patulin) after 143 hours of incubation at 25 °C under static conditions. However, 90% degradation occurred when the juice was contaminated with 7.0 µg/ml under the same conditions, indicating that the biodegradation rate is concentrationdependent. The effective biodegradation of patulin using P. ohmeri 158 and S. cerevisiae demonstrates a promising application for innocuous yeast isolated from natural microbiota in the biological control, which can prevent both fruit spoilage and P. expansum mycotoxin contamination.
Neural network models for prediction of trichothecene content in wheat
Authors: Mateo F. , Gadea R. , Mateo R. , Medina A. , Valle-Algarra F. , Jiménez M.
Published: September 2008

Fusarium graminearum is a mould that causes serious diseases in cereals worldwide and that synthesises mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON), which can seriously affect human and animal health. Predicting the level of mycotoxin accumulation in food is very difficult, because of the complexity of the influencing parameters. In this work, we have studied the possibility of using artificial neural networks (NN) to predict DON level attained in F. graminearum wheat cultures taking as inputs the fungal contamination level of the cereal, the water activity as a measure of the available water for fungal growth in the cereal, the temperature and time. DON analysis was performed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The data matrix was used to train and validate various types of NN using MATLAB 7.0. The aim was to obtain a network that provided the best possible fit between predicted and target DON levels by minimising the mean-square error of test. Radial basis function-NNs attained lower errors and better generalisation than multi-layer perceptron networks to predict DON accumulation in wheat. This is the first time that NNs have been used to predict DON accumulation in wheat based on the studied factors.
Production and use of mycotoxins uniformly enriched with stable isotopes for their dosage in biological samples
Authors: Bravin F. , Duca R. , Loiseau N. , Pean M. , Puel O. , Delaforge M.
Published: September 2008

Due to their low concentrations in biological matrices, mycotoxin analyses often encounter detection and quantification problems, especially for toxicokinetic studies. We have developed a strategy to produce in a single process, several fungi secondary metabolites uniformly enriched with 13C, 15N stable isotopes in their 'natural' composition. This includes: (1) a plant culture in the presence of 10%, 50% or 100% 13CO2 as the only source of carbon, and in the presence or not of 10% 15N-enriched nitrogen salts – as expected wheat or maize uniformlyincorporate enriched isotopes into their bioproducts; (2) a subsequent solid culture of different filamentous fungi on plant biomass led to the production of a 'natural' mixture of isotopes-enriched mycotoxins – these compounds exhibit a characteristic isotopic cluster, which can be easily detected by mass spectrometry. As an example, we achieved 10% uniformly 13C-enriched zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and mycophenolic acid by growing Fusarium graminearum or Penicillium brevicompactum on 10% 13C enriched wheat seeds and 3 to 10% 13C, 15N uniformly enriched fumonisins from Fusarium verticillioides cultures on maize seeds or straw. These compounds were used for metabolism and transport studies in mammals either in vitro or in vivo and analysed by MS and MSn spectra of the isotopic cluster but also by 13C, 15N NMR. Moreover, such isotopic pattern enrichment can be used for quantitative evaluations of mycotoxins transport across mammalian biological membranes, alone or in their 'natural' conditions in the presence of other fungi secondary metabolites. Finally, we used such enriched compounds with high reliabilityin order to study zearalenone metabolism but these enriched compounds would also be used as internal standards to quantify zearalenone or fumonisins in contaminated food samples.
Hierarchical Self‐Organization of Nanomaterials into Two‐Dimensional Arrays Using Functional Polymer Scaffold
Authors: Nurmawati Muhammad Hanafiah , Ajikumar Parayil Kumaran , Renu Ravindranath , Valiyaveettil Suresh
Published: September 2008

Fabrication of two and three‐dimensional nanostructures requires the development of new methodologies for the assembly of molecular/macromolecular objects on substrates in predetermined arrangements. Templated self‐assembly approach is a powerful strategy for the creation of materials from assembly of molecular components or nanoparticles. The present study describes the development of a facile, template directed self‐assembly of (metal/organic) nanomaterials into periodic micro‐ and nanostructures. The positioning and the organization of nanomaterials into spatially well‐defined arrays were achieved using an amphiphilic conjugated polymer‐aided, self‐organization process. Arrays of honeycomb patterns formed from conjugated C12PPPOH film with homogenous distribution of metal/organic nanomaterials. Our approach offers a straightforward and inexpensive method of preparation for hybrid thin films without environmentally controlled chambers or sophisticated instruments as compared to multistep micro‐fabrication techniques.
Acquired iron overload associated with antitransferrin monoclonal immunoglobulin: A case report
Authors: Forni Gian Luca , Girelli Domenico , Lamagna Martina , Mori Marco , Marinaro Eugenio , Campostrini Natascia , Carrara Paola , Maffei Massimo
Published: September 2008

We describe a patient with an unusual combination of hypersideremia (700 μg/dL), hypertransferrinemia (570 mg/dL), hyperferritinemia (800 μg/L), and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), in which the monoclonal immunoglobulin showed specific transferrin‐binding activity. Liver histology revealed hepatic iron overload, prominent in periportal hepatocytes, suggesting intestinal iron hyperabsorption. We demonstrate that low urinary hepcidin, likely due to impaired iron delivery to erythroid cells via the transferrin cycle pathway over time, may be the mechanism for iron loading. We suggest that MGUS associated with monoclonal antibodies with antitransferrin activity should be added to the list of acquired causes of hemochromatosis. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oxygenation of aromatic hydrocarbons with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by rhodium carbonyl complexes
Authors: Shul'pin Georgiy B. , Muratov Dmitriy V. , Shul'pina Lidia S. , Kudinov Aleksandr R. , Strelkova Tatyana V. , Petrovskiy Pavel V.
Published: September 2008

Hexanuclear rhodium carbonyl cluster, Rh6(CO)16, catalyzes benzene hydroxylation with hydrogen peroxide in acetonitrile solution. Phenol and (at lower concentration) quinone are formed with the maximum attained total yield and turnover number 17% and 683, respectively. Certain other rhodium carbonyl complexes, containing cyclopentadienyl ligands, Rh2Cp2(CO)3 and Rh3(CpMe)3(CO)3, are less efficient catalysts. Cyclopentadienyl derivatives of rhodium which do not contain the carbonyl ligands, Rh(CpMe5)(CH2CH2)2, RhCp(cyclooctatetraene) and Rh2Cp2(cyclooctatetraene) turned out to be absolutely inactive in the benzene hydroxylation. Styrene is transformed into benzaldehyde and (at lower concentration) acetophenone and 1‐phenylethanol. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biofuels: a major rural economic development opportunity
Authors: Leistritz F. Larry , Hodur Nancy M.
Published: September 2008

This perspective addresses the rural development implications of developing a cellulosic biofuels industry to meet current mandates. While biofuels development has been generally assumed to be positive for rural economies, the potential economic contribution of biofuels has not been quantifi ed. We compare the economic contribution (economic impact) of a biomass‐based ethanol plant with that of a corn‐based facility. The cellulosic biorefi nery has a much greater contribution because the feedstock payments represent new income for farmers and those involved in the supply process, whereas corn has alternative markets. We then explore the implications of developing a cellulosic‐based industry at a scale to meet the 16‐billion‐gallon cellulosic biofuel mandate of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The economic effects for rural areas with high feedstock potential could be substantial. © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
An optimized microplate assay system for quantitative evaluation of plant cell wall–degrading enzyme activity of fungal culture extracts
Authors: King Brian C. , Donnelly Marie K. , Bergstrom Gary C. , Walker Larry P. , Gibson Donna M.
Published: September 2008

Developing enzyme cocktails for cellulosic biomass hydrolysis complementary to current cellulase systems is a critical step needed for economically viable biofuels production. Recent genomic analysis indicates that some plant pathogenic fungi are likely a largely untapped resource in which to prospect for novel hydrolytic enzymes for biomass conversion. In order to develop high throughput screening assays for enzyme bioprospecting, a standardized microplate assay was developed for rapid analysis of polysaccharide hydrolysis by fungal extracts, incorporating biomass substrates. Fungi were grown for 10 days on cellulose‐ or switchgrass‐containing media to produce enzyme extracts for analysis. Reducing sugar released from filter paper, Avicel, corn stalk, switchgrass, carboxymethylcellulose, and arabinoxylan was quantified using a miniaturized colorimetric assay based on 3,5‐dinitrosalicylic acid. Significant interactions were identified among fungal species, growth media composition, assay substrate, and temperature. Within a small sampling of plant pathogenic fungi, some extracts had crude activities comparable to or greater than T. reesei, particularly when assayed at lower temperatures and on biomass substrates. This microplate assay system should prove useful for high‐throughput bioprospecting for new sources of novel enzymes for biofuel production. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1033–1044. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.