bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disciplinary Relations/Sexual Relations: Feminist and Foucauldian Reflections on Professor–Student Sex
Authors: Taylor Chloë
Published: February 2011

Drawing on Michel Foucault's writings as well as the writings of feminist scholars bell hooks and Jane Gallop, this paper examines faculty–student sexual relations and the discourses and policies that surround them. It argues that the dominant discourses on professor–student sex and the policies that follow from them misunderstand the form of power that is at work within pedagogical institutions, and it examines some of the consequences that result from this misunderstanding. In Foucault's terms, we tend to theorize faculty–student relations using a model of sovereign power in which people have or lack power and in which power operates in a static, stable, and exclusively top-down manner. We should, however, recognize the ways in which individuals in pedagogical institutions are situated within disciplinary and thus dynamic, reciprocal, and complex networks of power, as well as the ways in which the pedagogical relation may be a technique of the self and not only of domination. If we reconsider these relations in terms of Foucault's accounts of discipline and technologies of the self, we can recognize that prohibitions on faculty—student sexual relations within institutions such as the university are productive rather than repressive of desire, and that such relations can be opportunities for development and not only for abuse. Moreover, this paper suggests that the dominant discourses on professor—student relations today contribute to a construction of professors as dangerous and students as vulnerable, which denies the agency of (mostly female) students and obscures the multiplicity of forms of sexual abuse that occur within the university context.
Feminist Resources for Biomedical Research: Lessons from the HPV Vaccines
Authors: De Melo-Martín Inmaculada , Intemann Kristen
Published: February 2011

Several feminist philosophers of science have argued that social and political values are compatible with, and may even enhance, scientific objectivity. A variety of normative recommendations have emerged regarding how to identify, manage, and critically evaluate social values in science. In particular, several feminist theorists have argued that scientific communities ought to: 1) include researchers with diverse experiences, interests, and values, with equal opportunity and authority to scrutinize research; 2) investigate or “study up” scientific phenomena from the perspectives, interests, and conditions of marginalized stakeholders potentially affected by the research; and 3) make gender, ethnicity, class, and geographical location “visible,” or use them as categories of analysis when appropriate. Yet, more work is needed to determine what exactly these recommendations would require, and the benefits they would yield, in specific research contexts.

Using the recent development of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, we examine how these three feminist recommendations would have applied. We argue that these principles would have yielded several epistemic and social benefits in the HPV case, as well as in biomedical research more generally. That is, biomedical research guided by these principles would not only be epistemically superior, but also more socially responsible.
Love and Entitlement: Sartre and Beauvoir on the Nature of Jealousy
Authors: Mcmullin Irene
Published: February 2011

This paper argues that an essential and often overlooked feature of jealousy is the sense that one is entitled to the affirmation provided by the love relationship. By turning to Sartre's and Beauvoir's analyses of love and its distortions, I will show how the public nature of identity can inhibit the possibility of genuine love. Since we must depend on the freedom of others to show us who we are, the uncertainty this introduces into one's sense of self can trigger anxiety and pathological attempts to control those others upon whom one's self-value depends. In jealousy one tries to possess the other person's freedom in the hopes that a constant positive evaluation can be thereby secured. The belief that one is entitled to the self-perfection that such affirmation promises reveals both the important existential role that the beloved plays in the jealous person's psychic structure and the manner in which gender inequalities can promote such distortions of love.
Quantitative Links Between Arsenic Exposure and Influenza A (H1N1) Infection‐Associated Lung Function Exacerbations Risk
Authors: Liao Chung‐Min , Chio Chia‐Pin , Cheng Yi‐Hsien , Hsieh Nan‐Hung , Chen Wei‐Yu , Chen Szu‐Chieh
Published: February 2011

The objective of this study was to link arsenic exposure and influenza A (H1N1) infection‐induced respiratory effects to assess the impact of arsenic‐contaminated drinking water on exacerbation risk of A (H1N1)‐associated lung function. The homogeneous Poisson process was used to approximate the related processes between arsenic exposure and influenza‐associated lung function exacerbation risk. We found that (i) estimated arsenic‐induced forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) reducing rates ranged from 0.116 to 0.179 mL/μg for age 15–85 years, (ii) estimated arsenic‐induced A (H1N1) viral load increasing rate was 0.5 mL/μg, (iii) estimated A (H1N1) virus‐induced FEV1 reducing rate was 0.10 mL/logTCID50, and (iv) the relationship between arsenic exposure and A (H1N1)‐associated respiratory symptoms scores (RSS) can be described by a Hill model. Here we showed that maximum RSS at day 2 postinfection for Taiwan, West Bengal (India), and the United States were estimated to be in the severe range of 0.83, 0.89, and 0.81, respectively, indicating that chronic arsenic exposure and A (H1N1) infection together are most likely to pose potential exacerbations risk of lung function, although a 50% probability of lung function exacerbations risk induced by arsenic and influenza infection was within the mild and moderate ranges of RSS at day 1 and 2 postinfection. We concluded that avoidance of drinking arsenic‐containing water could significantly reduce influenza respiratory illness and that need will become increasingly urgent as the novel H1N1 pandemic influenza virus infects people worldwide.
Using a Familiar Risk Comparison Within a Risk Ladder to Improve Risk Understanding by Low Numerates: A Study of Visual Attention
Authors: Keller Carmen
Published: February 2011

Previous experimental research provides evidence that a familiar risk comparison within a risk ladder is understood by low‐ and high‐numerate individuals. It especially helps low numerates to better evaluate risk. In the present study, an eye tracker was used to capture individuals’ visual attention to a familiar risk comparison, such as the risk associated with smoking. Two parameters of information processing—efficiency and level—were derived from visual attention. A random sample of participants from the general population (N= 68) interpreted a given risk level with the help of the risk ladder. Numeracy was negatively correlated with overall visual attention on the risk ladder (rs=−0.28,p= 0.01), indicating that the lower the numeracy, the more the time spent looking at the whole risk ladder. Numeracy was positively correlated with the efficiency of processing relevant frequency (rs= 0.34,p< 0.001) and relevant textual information (rs= 0.34,p< 0.001), but not with the efficiency of processing relevant comparative information and numerical information. There was a significant negative correlation between numeracy and the level of processing of relevant comparative risk information (rs=−0.21,p< 0.01), indicating that low numerates processed the comparative risk information more deeply than the high numerates. There was no correlation between numeracy and perceived risk. These results add to previous experimental research, indicating that the smoking risk comparison was crucial for low numerates to evaluate and understand risk. Furthermore, the eye‐tracker method is promising for studying information processing and improving risk communication formats.
Enhanced Piezoelectric and Ferroelectric Properties of Nb2O5 Modified Lead Zirconate Titanate‐Based Composites
Authors: Wang Da‐Wei , Cao Mao‐Sheng , Yuan Jie , Zhao Quan‐Liang , Li Hong‐Bo , Zhang De‐Qing , Agathopoulos Simeon
Published: February 2011

The addition of ZnO nanowhiskers (ZnOw) in lead zirconate titanate (PZT) matrices results in reinforced composite materials but deteriorates their electrical properties. In this study, novel piezoelectric PZT/ZnOw composites modified with Nb2O5 were successfully fabricated using solid‐state sintering method. The experimental results showed that the addition of 0.5 wt% Nb2O5 resulted in highly dense and homogenous PZT composites after sintering at 1150°C, with good piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties similar to pure PZT, specifically piezoelectric constant d33=665 pC/N, electromechanical coupling factor kp=0.7, relative dielectric constant ɛ=5048, and remnant polarization Pr=30.2 μC/cm2. The “soft effect” of Nb5+ ions, reflected in the improvement of the aforementioned properties, is attributed to the accommodation of Nb5+ ions at the B sites of the lattice of PZT. Compared with the PZT/ZnOw reinforced composites, the mechanical properties were slightly improved by adding 0.5 wt% Nb2O5, where flexural strength σf of 128 MPa and fracture toughness KIC of 1.46 MPa·m1/2 were measured.
Thermophysical Properties of (MgxLa0.5−xSm0.5)2(Zr0.7Ce0.3)2O7−x (x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) Ceramic for Thermal Barrier Coatings
Authors: Liu Ling , Wang Fuchi , Ma Zhuang , Xu Qiang , Fang Shige
Published: February 2011

A series of complex rare‐earth zirconates (MgxLa0.5−xSm0.5)2 (Zr0.7Ce0.3)2O7−x (x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) ceramics for thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) were synthesized by coprecipitation–calcination method. Their phase composition, microstructure, and the thermophysical properties were investigated. The results showed that single‐phase (MgxLa0.5−xSm0.5)2(Zr0.7Ce0.3)2O7−x (x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) with pyrochlore structure were prepared, and the microstructure of the products were dense. The thermal conductivity of the ceramics remarkably decreased through doping up to x=0.2 with a minimum value around 1.57 W·(m·K)−1. As a function of increasing x, the thermal expansion coefficient of (MgxLa0.5−xSm0.5)2(Zr0.7Ce0.3)2O7−x decreased firstly and then increased. The maximum value (11.3 × 10−6 K−1) was achieved for the sample with the same composite point x=0.2. These results imply that with respect to thermal properties the optimum material is (Mg0.2La0.3Sm0.5)2 (Zr0.7Ce0.3)2O6.8 for the ceramic layer in TBCs system.
Therapeutic effects of melatonin on heatstroke‐induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in rats
Authors: Lin Xiao‐Jing , Mei Gui‐Ping , Liu Jian , Li Yi‐Lei , Zuo Dan , Liu Shao‐Jun , Zhao Ting‐Bao , Lin Mao‐Tsun
Published: February 2011

Abstract:  Melatonin reportedly exerts beneficial effects to attenuate multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in septic shock. Heatstroke resembles septic shock in many aspects. Thus, this study was performed on the anesthetized rats by using heat exposure to induce heatstroke‐associated MODS. We evaluated the effect of melatonin, a versatile molecule synthesized in the pineal gland and in many organs, in heatstroke rats and showed that melatonin (0.2–5.0 mg/kg of body weight, i.v., immediately after the start of heat stress) significantly (i) attenuated hyperthermia, hypotension and hypothalamic ischemia and hypoxia, (ii) reduced plasma index of the toxic oxidizing radicals like nitric oxide metabolites and hydroxyl radicals, (iii) diminished plasma index of hepatic and renal dysfunction like creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase, (iv) attenuated plasma systemic inflammation response molecules like soluble intercellular and lesion molecule‐1, E‐selectin, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐6, (v) promoted plasma levels of an anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10, (vi) reduced an index of infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the lung like myeloperoxidase activity, and (vii) promoted the survival time to fourfold compared with the heatstroke alone group. Thus, melatonin could be a novel agent for the treatment of heatstroke animals or patients in the early stage.
Low‐dose thiazide diuretics in children with idiopathic renal hypercalciuria
Authors: Choi Ji Na , Lee Jae Seung , Shin Jae Il
Published: February 2011

Abtract

Aim:  To evaluate the therapeutic effect of hydrochlorothiazide in idiopathic renal hypercalciuria.

Methods:  We retrospectively analysed the data of 28 children (6.0 ± 4.1 years, M:F = 19:9) diagnosed as having idiopathic renal hypercalciuria from the years 1991 to 2008. The dose of hydrochlorothiazide was initially 0.5 mg/kg/day and gradually increased to achieve the appropriate hypocalciuric effect (urinary calcium/creatinine <0.2 mg/mg) in some unresponsive patients.

Results:  Twenty‐two patients (79%) had gross haematuria, 6 (21%) microscopic haematuria, 2 left flank pain, 6 (21%) urolithiasis and 9 (32%) urinary tract infection at the diagnosis of hypercalciuria. The low doses (0.5 mg/kg/day) of hydrochlorothiazide reduced urinary calcium excretion in 25 patients (89%) and 3 (11%) required the increased doses (1–2 mg/kg/day). Haematuria and urolithiasis gradually resolved in accordance with the improvement of hypercalciuria. Nineteen patients (68%) maintaining hypocalciuria during hydrochlorothiazide therapy were discontinued after 12.5 ± 5.3 months of treatment. Eleven of the 19 patients maintained normocalciuria, while 8 showed increased urinary calcium excretion at 2.9 ± 2.3 months after treatment was stopped, requiring thiazide retreatment.

Conclusion:  Our results suggest that low dose (0.5 mg/kg/day) of hydrochlorothiazide may be safe and effective in controlling renal hypercalciuria in children.
Health‐related quality of life of Estonian adolescents: reliability and validity of the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales in Estonia
Authors: Viira Roomet , Koka Andre
Published: February 2011

Aim:  The main aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ 4.0 (PedsQL™ 4.0) Generic Core Scales among Estonian adolescents. Gender differences in health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) were also investigated.

Methods:  The 654 adolescents (309 boys and 345 girls) aged 13–14 years (M age = 13.57 years, SD = 0.62) completed Estonian version of the PedsQL™ 4.0.

Results:  Results of the confirmatory factor analysis for a five‐factor model of the Estonian version of PedsQL™ 4.0 approached the criteria of acceptable fit after setting error covariance to be free between some of the items within physical health, emotional functioning and social functioning subscales. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients exceeded the minimum criterion of 0.70 for all subscales except for days missed from school because of illness subscale. With regard to gender differences, consistent with previous studies, girls reported lower level on total score of HRQoL as well as its aspects of physical health, emotional functioning and psychosocial health.

Conclusion:  The present study revealed that after some modifications, the PedsQL™ 4.0 could be considered as suitable instrument to measure HRQoL among Estonian adolescents.
LIGHT‐EMITTING DIODE CURING LIGHTS, PART I
Authors: Leonard Daniel L. , Jr Edward J. Swift
Published: February 2011

Several manufacturers have introduced new light‐emitting diode (LED) curing lights for the polymerization of light‐activated dental materials. Typically, the advantages claimed for these lights are more efficient curing, decreased heat from the light tip, consistent output over time without degradation, and significantly longer useful life of the diodes compared with quartz‐tungsten‐halogen (QTH) bulbs. Manufacturers also mention portability and ease of use because the units can be powered by rechargeable batteries. This review evaluates the published research on LED‐based curing lights.
Architecture of the Helicobacter pylori Cag‐type IV secretion system
Authors: Terradot Laurent , Waksman Gabriel
Published: February 2011

Type IV secretion systems (T4SS) are macromolecular assemblies used by bacteria to transport material across their membranes. T4SS are generally composed of a set of twelve proteins (VirB1–11 and VirD4). This represents a dynamic machine powered by three ATPases. T4SS are widespread in pathogenic bacteria where they are often used to deliver effectors into host cells. For example, the human pathogen Helicobacter pylori encodes a T4SS, the Cag‐T4SS, which mediates the injection of the toxin CagA. We review the progress made in the past decade in our understanding of T4SS architecture. We translate this new knowledge to derive an understanding of the structure of the H. pylori Cag system, and use recent protein–protein interaction data to refine this model.
Acceleration of disulfide‐coupled protein folding using glutathione derivatives
Authors: Okumura Masaki , Saiki Masatoshi , Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Hidaka Yuji
Published: February 2011

Protein folding occurs simultaneously with disulfide bond formation. In general, the in vitro folding proteins containing disulfide bond(s) is carried out in the presence of redox reagents, such as glutathione, to permit native disulfide pairing to occur. It is well known that the formation of a disulfide bond and the correct tertiary structure of a target protein are strongly affected by the redox reagent used. However, little is known concerning the role of each amino acid residue of the redox reagent, such as glutathione. Therefore, we prepared glutathione derivatives – glutamyl‐cysteinyl‐arginine (ECR) and arginyl‐cysteinyl‐glycine (RCG) – and examined their ability to facilitate protein folding using lysozyme and prouroguanylin as model proteins. When the reduced and oxidized forms of RCG were used, folding recovery was greater than that for a typical glutathione redox system. This was particularly true when high protein concentrations were employed, whereas folding recovery using ECR was similar to that of the glutathione redox system. Kinetic analyses of the oxidative folding of prouroguanylin revealed that the folding velocity (KRCG = 3.69 × 10−3 s−1) using reduced RCG/oxidized RCG was approximately threefold higher than that using reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione. In addition, folding experiments using only the oxidized form of RCG or glutathione indicated that prouroguanylin was converted to the native conformation more efficiently in the case of RCG, compared with glutathione. The findings indicate that a positively charged redox molecule is preferred to accelerate disulfide‐exchange reactions and that the RCG system is effective in mediating the formation of native disulfide bonds in proteins.
The soft quiescent spectrum of the transiently accreting 11-Hz X-ray pulsar in the globular cluster Terzan 5
Authors: Degenaar N. , Wijnands R.
Published: February 2011

We report on the quiescent X-ray properties of the recently discovered transiently accreting 11-Hz X-ray pulsar in the globular cluster Terzan 5. Using two archival Chandra observations, we demonstrate that the quiescent spectrum of this neutron star low-mass X-ray binary is soft and can be fit to a neutron star atmosphere model with a temperature of kT∞∼ 73 eV. A power-law spectral component is not required by the data and contributes at most ∼20 per cent to the total unabsorbed 0.5–10 keV flux of ∼9 × 10−14 erg cm−2 s−1. Such a soft quiescent spectrum is unusual for neutron stars with relatively high inferred magnetic fields and casts a different light on the interpretation of the hard spectral component, which is often attributed to magnetic field effects. For a distance of 5.5 kpc, the estimated quiescent thermal bolometric luminosity is ∼6 × 1032 erg s−1. If the thermal emission is interpreted as cooling of the neutron star, the observed luminosity requires that the system is quiescent for at least ∼100 yr. Alternatively, enhanced neutrino emissions can cool the neutron star to the observed quiescent luminosity.
Can rotation explain the multiple main-sequence turn-offs of Magellanic Cloud star clusters?
Authors: Girardi Léo , Eggenberger Patrick , Miglio Andrea
Published: February 2011

Many intermediate-age star clusters in the Magellanic Clouds present multiple main-sequence turn-offs (MMSTOs), which challenge the classical idea that star formation in such objects took place over short time-scales. It has been recently suggested that the presence of fast rotators among main-sequence stars could be the cause of such features, hence relaxing the need for extended periods of star formation. In this Letter, we compute evolutionary tracks and isochrones of models with and without rotation. We find that, for the same age and input physics, both kinds of models present turn-offs with an almost identical position in the colour–magnitude diagrams (CMDs). As a consequence, a dispersion of rotational velocities in coeval ensembles of stars could not explain the presence of MMSTOs. We construct several synthetic CMDs for the different kinds of tracks and combinations of them. The models that best reproduce the morphology of observed MMSTOs are clearly those assuming a significant spread in the stellar ages – as long as ∼400 Myr – added to a moderate amount of convective core overshooting. Only these models produce the detailed ‘golf club’ shape of observed MMSTOs. A spread in rotational velocities alone cannot do anything similar. We also discuss models involving a mixture of stars with and without overshooting, as an additional scenario to producing MMSTOs with coeval populations. We find that they produce turn-offs with a varying extension in the CMD direction perpendicular to the lower main sequence, which are clearly not present in observed MMSTOs.
A STATISTICAL TEST FOR RANKING DATA FROM PARTIALLY BALANCED INCOMPLETE BLOCK DESIGNS
Authors: BEST D.J. , RAYNER J.C.W. , ALLINGHAM DAVID
Published: February 2011

The analysis of partially balanced incomplete block (PBIB) ranked data is discussed. Two examples are given to illustrate two alternative approaches. Analysis of PBIB ranking data is not covered in any of the standard sensory evaluation texts and this expository note is meant to help fill this gap. For some data sets, the calculations for the first approach are simple enough to do by hand. The second approach that we consider assumes that computer software for general analysis of variance is available. Such analysis of variance software should cope with missing values via a regression method. A suggested multiple comparisons algorithm is also illustrated. R code is given to allow easy application of our first approach.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Sensory fatigue can be a problem in some sensory evaluation trials. In the taste‐test area, this is sometimes called “palate paralysis.” To cope with this fatigue, balanced incomplete block designs can be employed. However, these restrict the sensory scientist to particular combinations of products, subjects and evaluations per subject. Sometimes, such restrictions can be prohibitive, and then partially balanced designs, which allow more freedom in the choice of these parameters, can be used. Here we consider statistical analysis of ranking data from partially balanced incomplete block designs.
ELECTROMYOGRAPHY DURING ORAL PROCESSING IN RELATION TO MECHANICAL AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF SOFT GELS
Authors: ISHIHARA SAYAKA , NAKAUMA MAKOTO , FUNAMI TAKAHIRO , TANAKA TOSHIE , NISHINARI KATSUYOSHI , KOHYAMA KAORU
Published: February 2011

To relate to mechanical and sensory properties of soft gels, electromyography (EMG) of the suprahyoid musculature during palatal reduction (i.e., compression between the tongue and the hard palate) followed by normal swallowing was investigated. EMG was recorded using healthy adults as subjects to monitor the activities of the masseter muscle and the suprahyoid musculature during oral processing. Mechanical properties of gels were examined by compression tests at various strains and deformation rates. The duration of oral processing was prolonged and the EMG activity of the suprahyoid musculature increased with increasing concentration of gelling agents. The EMG activity of the suprahyoid musculature correlated well with the compression load of gels at extremely large strains (e.g., 90% strain) and with sensory perceived hardness. The EMG activity of the suprahyoid musculature is an effective parameter in analyzing human oral processing of soft gels and is deducible objectively by compression load at large strains.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Texture design of nursing‐care foods is important challenges in the food industry, as there is an increasing demand with increasing number of people with difficulties in mastication and/or swallowing in this aged society. The electromyography (EMG) activity of the suprahyoid musculature can be used as an objective parameter to analyze eating behavior of soft gels that are broken down through palatal reduction without chewing before swallowing. Surface EMG provides food manufactures with a strategy for the texture design of nursing‐care foods because soft gels are the base of these food products.
INTERPLAY BETWEEN PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS, ORAL PHYSIOLOGY AND TEXTURE PERCEPTION OF CELLULAR BRITTLE FOODS
Authors: VAN VLIET TON , PRIMO‐MARTÍN CRISTINA
Published: February 2011

Hard solid foods encompass a large variety of dry products as well as products with high water content. Most of these foods have a cellular structure, which is generally characterized by connected fairly rigid cell walls, enclosing a fluid material that may be liquid‐like (fruit and vegetables) or a gas (mainly manufactured cellular foods). Typical for many hard solid products is their brittle fracture behavior, mostly accompanied by acoustic emission. The latter characteristic is essential for their crispy or crunchy character. Other main texture attributes are hardness and brittleness and for fruits and vegetables juiciness. The latter requires that the liquid content of the cells is released during mastication. Aspects of fracture behavior of cellular food products, oral processing of these products, and the interplay between product characteristics and perception of some main texture attributes (hardness and crispness) will be discussed.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

It has become more and more clear that texture perception by consumers of hard solid (brittle) foods is based on the interplay between product structure, fracture behavior, oral processing and final grading by the brain. Better understanding of the relations between these aspects is essential for the production of healthy, tasteful food that is liked by consumers. This article focus on the interplay between physical properties of hard solid foods and oral processing in relation to the perception of selected texture attributes (hardness and crispness).
PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE FIBER SUSPENSIONS. I: EFFECT OF HOMOGENIZATION
Authors: BENGTSSON HANNA , TORNBERG EVA
Published: February 2011

Different physicochemical properties and the chemical composition of soluble and insoluble fiber were studied. The influence of fiber source (apple, tomato, carrot and potato pulp), concentration and homogenization were investigated. The fiber suspensions respond in different ways to homogenization. This can, for most physicochemical properties investigated, be due to the fundamentally different microstructure. Carrot and potato pulp suspensions were found to consist of large cell clusters and aggregates, respectively, which were degraded to smaller cell clusters when homogenized. Apple and tomato suspensions were found to consist of large, single cells and cell fragments before homogenization. Tomato suspensions were easily degraded by homogenization, affording a high water‐holding capacity. Apple suspensions were only slightly affected by homogenization, but had the highest elasticity. However, no change in the composition of soluble and insoluble fiber was detected in the homogenized fiber suspensions.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Processing of dietary fiber before use as an additive in food products can change its physicochemical properties. These changes must be understood in order to predict the changes in the product resulting from the addition of dietary fiber. Processing in the form of pressure homogenization of the fiber suspensions gave rise to smaller particles and an increased elasticity. Furthermore, it was shown that the more aggregated the microstructure of the fiber suspension the lower its water‐holding capacity and elastic modulus. This knowledge represents a great potential for the product development process which can then be less time consuming. Thus more products fortified with dietary fiber can appear on the market, increasing the consumption of dietary fiber.
EFFECT OF DATE FLESH FIBER CONCENTRATE ADDITION ON DOUGH PERFORMANCE AND BREAD QUALITY
Authors: BORCHANI CHEMA , MASMOUDI MANEL , BESBES SOUHAIL , ATTIA HAMADI , DEROANNE CLAUDE , BLECKER CHRISTOPHE
Published: February 2011

Date flesh fiber concentrate (DFFC) of Deglet Nour variety were extracted and incorporated in a bakery product. Dough rheological characteristics showed that water absorption, stability, index quality, resistance to deformation increased with the amount of added fiber, whereas degree of softening and extensibility decreased in all levels of fiber. Bread evaluation revealed that DFFC addition caused an increase of bread yield especially for the highest levels, a change of crumb color and an insignificant decrease of bread volume. Breads are subjected to sensory evaluation for odor, taste, crumb color, crumb smoothness and overall acceptability. Significant differences were not found (P > 0.05) between scores for all sensory parameters.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Consumption of dietary fiber offers health benefits including protection against cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other degenerative diseases. However, fiber intake is commonly lower than recommended. In consequence, the application of fiber in food production should be desirable. This work intended to add value to the second‐grade dates (with a hard texture) from the potential Tunisian cultivars “Deglet Nour,” which has a very good sensory quality and a high commercial value. This by‐product could be regarded as an important source of dietary fiber with interesting functional properties and many beneficial effects on human health. Then, date flesh fiber concentrate could be used in value‐added applications such as bread making.
USE OF A PANEL KNOWLEDGEABLE IN MATERIAL SCIENCE TO STUDY SENSORY PERCEPTION OF TEXTURE
Authors: DUIZER LISA M. , JAMES BRYONY , CORRIGAN VIRGINIA K. , FENG JINQUAN , HEDDERLEY DUNCAN I. , HARKER F. ROGER
Published: February 2011

This research assessed the relations between sensory and instrumental measures of the texture of solid foods when using a panel with previous knowledge of material science and fracture mechanics. Twelve commercial products varying in texture were evaluated by two panels; one panel was comprised of 11 engineering students who were familiar with material science, and a descriptive analysis panel of 15 experienced trained panelists. The engineering panel evaluated the products for attributes of hardness, stiffness, brittleness, viscoelasticity and toughness, while the descriptive panel evaluated the samples using terms generated through free choice profiling. Analysis of the data showed that texture evaluations of the products were consistent between the two panels. Certain mechanical properties such as hardness and stiffness were closely related to instrumental measures. However, other measures such as toughness were not well correlated with instrumental measures.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The applications of this research are twofold. First, this research shows that panelists, regardless of experience, use similar words with similar meanings during the assessment of texture of solid foods. Second, this research also more closely aligns sensory measures with material science by showing that sensory scores may be related to instrumental measures of texture in various ways. Sensory properties, such as hardness and stiffness, can be directly measured using a material science approach. Indirect relations between sensory panel scores and instrumental measurements may also exist, e.g., between crisp and crunchy. Lastly, instrumental measures may not adequately measure sensory perception of textures, particularly those related to toughness and viscoelasticity.
First Pharmacophore Model of CCR3 Receptor Antagonists and its Homology Model‐Assisted, Stepwise Virtual Screening
Authors: Jain Vaibhav , Saravanan Parameswaran , Arvind Akanksha , Mohan Chethampadi Gopi
Published: February 2011

CCR3, a G protein‐coupled receptor, plays a central role in allergic inflammation and is an important drug target for inflammatory diseases. To understand the structure–function relationship of CCR3 receptor, different computational techniques were employed, which mainly include: (i) homology modeling of CCR3 receptor, (ii) 3D‐quantitative pharmacophore model of CCR3 antagonists, (iii) virtual screening of small compound databases, and (iv) finally, molecular docking at the binding site of the CCR3 receptor homology model. Pharmacophore model was developed for the first time, on a training data set of 22 CCR3 antagonists, usingcatalystHypoRefineprogram. Best hypothesis (Hypo1) has three different chemical features: two hydrogen‐bond acceptors, one hydrophobic, and one ring aromatic. Hypo1 model was further validated using (i) 87 test set CCR3 antagonists, (ii)Cat Scramblerandomization technique, and (iii) Decoy data set. Molecular docking studies were performed on modeled CCR3 receptor using 303 virtually screened hits, obtained from small compound database virtual screening. Finally, five hits were identified as potential leads against CCR3 receptor, which exhibited good estimated activities, favorable binding interactions, and high docking scores. These studies provided useful information on the structurally vital residues of CCR3 receptor involved in the antagonist binding, and their unexplored potential for the future development of potent CCR3 receptor antagonists.
Hot and Cold Water Infusion Aroma Profiles of Hibiscus sabdariffa: Fresh Compared with Dried
Authors: Ramírez‐Rodrigues M.M. , Balaban M.O. , Marshall M.R. , Rouseff R.L.
Published: February 2011

Abstract:  Calyxes from the Roselle plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) were used to prepare cold (22 °C for 4 h) and hot (98 °C for 16 min) infusions/teas from both fresh and dried forms. Aroma volatiles were extracted using static headspace SPME and analyzed using GC‐MS and GC‐O with 2 different columns (DB‐5 and DB‐Wax). Totals of 28, 25, 17, and 16 volatiles were identified using GC‐MS in the dried hot extract (DHE), dried cold extract (DCE), fresh hot extract (FHE), and fresh cold extract (FCE) samples, respectively. In terms of total GC‐MS peak areas DHE ≫ DCE > FHE ≫ FCE. Nonanal, decanal, octanal, and 1‐octen‐3‐ol were among the major volatiles in all 4 beverage types. Thirteen volatiles were common to all 4 teas. Furfural and 5‐methyl furfural were detected only in dried hibiscus beverages whereas linalool and 2‐ethyl‐1‐hexanol were detected only in beverages from fresh hibiscus. In terms of aroma active volatiles, 17, 16, 13, and 10 aroma active volatiles were detected for DHE, DCE, FHE, and FCE samples, respectively. The most intense aroma volatiles were 1‐octen‐3‐one and nonanal with a group of 4 aldehydes and 3 ketones common to all samples. Dried samples contained dramatically higher levels of lipid oxidation products such as hexanal, nonanal, and decanal. In fresh hibiscus extracts, linalool (floral, citrus) and octanal (lemon, citrus) were among the highest intensity aroma compounds but linalool was not detected in any of the dried hibiscus extracts.

Practical Application:  Hibiscus teas/infusions are one of the highest volume specialty botanical products in international commerce. The beverage is consumed for both sensory pleasure and health attributes and is prepared a number of ways throughout the world. Although color and taste attributes have been examined, little information is known about its aroma volatiles and no other study has compared extractions from both fresh and dried as well as extraction temperature differences. This is also, apparently, the first study to identify the aroma active volatiles in hibiscus beverages using GC‐olfactometry. Manufacturers and consumers will now have a better understanding of why hibiscus teas prepared in different ways from either fresh or dried forms have a different flavor quality and intensity.
Bioavailability of Iron and Zinc from Multiple Micronutrient Fortified Beverage Premixes in Caco‐2 Cell Model
Authors: Pullakhandam Raghu , Nair K. Madhavan , Pamini Himabindu , Punjal Ravinder
Published: February 2011

Abstract:  Iron and zinc deficiencies are the most prevalent nutrient deficiencies worldwide. They often coexist as the dietary factors, especially phytate, which impairs iron absorption also affects zinc absorption. Therefore, suitable strategies are required to control multiple micronutrient deficiencies in populations that subsist on high‐phytate foods such as the whole wheat flour based Indian bread (chapatti). The objective of the study, therefore, was to test the bioavailability of iron and zinc in 2 multiple micronutrient beverage premixes in the absence and presence of chapatti. The premix‐1 contained iron, zinc, and vitamin A while premix‐2 contained all micronutrients in premix‐1, plus folic acid and ascorbic acid. Ferritin induction and 65Zn uptake were assessed using coupled in vitro digestion/Caco‐2 cell line model as the surrogate markers of iron and zinc bioavailability, respectively. The results show that iron bioavailability from premixes‐1 and 2 was similar in the absence of chapatti. However, premix‐2 showed significantly higher iron bioavailability compared to premix‐1 in the presence of chapatti. In contrast, the zinc uptake was similar from both premixes‐1 and 2 in the absence or presence of chapatti. These results suggest that both the premixes provide bioavailable minerals, but premix‐2 appears to be promising in the presence of foods that have high phytate.
An Isotopic (Sr, Nd and Pb) Tracer Study on the Xiaoxinancha Gold‐rich Copper Deposit in Yanbian, China: Implication for the Geodynamic Model of Diagenesis and Metallogenesis
Authors: Lanjing MEN , Jinggui SUN , Zengjie ZHANG , Yixin LI , Shuwen XING , Peilong CUI
Published: February 2011

An isotopic study was systemically carried out on the granitic complex, diorite‐porphyrite, ores and ore minerals of the 103 Ma Xiaoxinancha gold‐rich copper deposit in Jilin province to determine the geodynamic model of diagenesis and metallogenesis. Results show that the initial Nd and Sr isotopic compositions of the granitic complex are in the range of 0.70425–0.70505 for (87Sr/86Sr)i, 0.51243–0.51264 for INd, and –1.31 to + 2.64 for εNd(t); those of the diorite‐porphyrite are in the range from 0.70438–0.70448 for (87Sr/86Sr)i, 0.51259–0.51261 for INd, and + 1.56 to + 2.09 for εNd(t). For ores and sulfides, the (87Sr/86Sr)i, INd, and εNd(t) values are in the range from 0.70440–0.70805, 0.51259–0.51279 and +1.72 to +5.56, respectively. The Pb isotopic ratios of the granitic complex range from 18.2992–18.6636 for 206Pb/204Pb, from 15.5343–15.5660 for 207Pb/204Pb, and from 38.1640–38.5657 for 208Pb/204pb For diorite‐porphyrite, the isotopic ratios of 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204b are 18.3919, 15.5794 and 38.3566, respectively, whereas those of the ores and ore sulfides vary from 18.2275–18.3770 for 206Pb/204Pb, from 15.5555–15.5934 for 207Pb/204Pb and from 38.1318–38.3131 for 208Pb/204Pb. The results indicate that the mineralization was correlated to the formation and evolution of the granitic complex and the diorite‐porphyrite. Combining with the reported data in petrologic characteristics, elemental geochemistry and chronology, conclusions can be drawn that the geodynamic settings of diagenesis and metallogenesis of this deposit were consistent with the subduction of the Izanagi oceanic plate during the Early Cretaceous. The diorite‐porphyrite was formed by the emplacement of the adakitic magma triggered by partial melting of the enriched mantle, which originated from the derivative continental lithospheric mantle metasomatized by dehydration fluids from the subducting oceanic crust. The granitic complex was produced by fractional crystallization of the mixture between the adakitic magma and the high‐K calc‐alkaline acidic magma, which were generated by the remelting of the lower crust in the course of intraplate upwelling of the adakitic magma. The ore‐bearing fluid reservoir convened in a late stage of the evolution of the mixed magma chamber.
Trace Elements and Rare Earth Elements of Sulfide Minerals in the Tianqiao Pb‐Zn Ore Deposit, Guizhou Province, China
Authors: Jiaxi ZHOU , Zhilong HUANG , Guofu ZHOU , Xiaobiao LI , Wei DING , Guangping BAO
Published: February 2011

Trace elements and rare earth elements (REE) of the sulfide minerals were determined by inductively‐coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results indicate that V, Cu, Sn, Ga, Cd, In, and Se are concentrated in sphalerite, Sb, As, Ge, and Tl are concentrated in galena, and almost all trace elements in pyrite are low. The Ga and Cd contents in the light‐yellow sphalerites are higher than that in the brown and the black sphalerites. The contents of Ge, Tl, In, and Se in brown sphalerites are higher than that in light‐yellow sphalerites and black sphalerites. It shows that REE concentrations are higher in pyrite than in sphalerite, and galena. In sphalerites, the REE concentration decreases from light‐yellow sphalerites, brown sphalerites, to black sphalerites. The ratios of Ga/In are more than 10, and Co/Ni are less than 1 in the studied sphalerites and pyrites, respectively, indicating that the genesis of the Tianqiao Pb–Zn ore deposit might belong to sedimentary‐reformed genesis associated with hydrothermal genesis. The relationship between LnGa and LnIn in sphalerite, and between LnBi and LnSb in galena, indicates that the Tianqiao Pb–Zn ore deposit might belong to sedimentary‐reformed genesis. Based on the chondrite‐normalized REE patterns, δEu is a negative anomaly (0.13–0.88), and δCe does not show obvious anomaly (0.88–1.31); all the samples have low total REE concentrations (<3 ppm) and a wide range of light rare earth element/high rare earth element ratios (1.12–12.35). These results indicate that the ore‐forming fluids occur under a reducing environment. Comparison REE compositions and parameters of sphalerites, galenas, pyrites, ores, altered dolostone rocks, strata carbonates, and the pyrite from Lower Carboniferous Datang Formation showed that the ore‐forming fluids might come from polycomponent systems, that is, different chronostratigraphic units could make an important contribution to the ore‐forming fluids. Combined with the tectonic setting and previous isotopic geochemistry evidence, we conclude that the ore‐deposit genesis is hydrothermal, sedimentary reformed, with multisources characteristics of ore‐forming fluids.
Laboratory Simulation of Vertical Hydrocarbon Microseepage
Authors: Guojian WANG , Tongjin CHENG , Ming FAN , Chun REN , Weijun CHEN
Published: February 2011

Based on a conceptual model of hydrocarbon microseepage, a macro‐sized experimental equipment used the matched mixtures of cement and quartz sand as simulated caprock and its overlying strata is first set up to simulate the processes of hydrocarbon microseepage and its near‐surface expressions. The results of the simulation experiments suggest that simulated caprock and its overlying strata have a certain sealed capability; hydrocarbon microseepage is dominated by the pressure of point gas source, and temperature plays only a subordinate role; on the path of hydrocarbon microseepage, the distribution of hydrocarbon concentration is fan‐shaped; differential adsorption of alkanes by the simulated caprock and its overlying strata results in the occurrence of a chromatographic effect. Different migrating patterns within simulated caprock are shown by the ratio of i‐butane to n‐butane. The concentration of hydrocarbon in the surface soil has good correspondence with the pressure of point gas source. These simulation results are significant to further study of the mechanism of anomalies recovered in surface geochemistry exploration.
Gravity Flow on Slope and Abyssal Systems in the Qiongdongnan Basin, Northern South China Sea
Authors: Ming SU , Xinong XIE , Junliang LI , Tao JIANG , Cheng ZHANG , Yunlong HE , Shanshan TIAN , Cuimei ZHANG
Published: February 2011

The study of new seismic data permits the identification of sediment gravity flows in terms of internal architecture and the distribution on shelf and abyssal setting in the Qiongdongnan Basin (QDNB). Six gravity flow types are recognized: (1) turbidite channels with a truncational basal and concordant overburden relationship along the shelf edge and slope, comprising laterally‐shifting and vertically‐aggrading channel complexes; (2) slides with a spoon‐shaped morphology slip steps on the shelf‐break and generated from the deformation of poorly‐consolidated and high water content sediments; (3) slumps are limited on the shelf slope, triggered either by an anomalous slope gradient or by fault activity; (4) turbidite sheet complexes (TSC) were ascribed to the basin‐floor fan and slope fan origin, occasionally feeding the deep marine deposits by turbidity currents; (5) sediment waves occurring in the lower slope‐basin floor, and covering an area of approximately 400 km2, were generated beneath currents flowing across the sea bed; and (6) the central canyon in the deep water area represents an exceptive type of gravity flow composed of an association of debris flow, turbidite channels, and TSC. It presents planar multisegment and vertical multiphase characteristics. Turbidite associated with good petrophysical property in the canyon could be treated as a potential exploration target in the QDNB.
The role of Synaptobrevin1/VAMP1 in Ca2+‐triggered neurotransmitter release at the mouse neuromuscular junction
Authors: Liu Yun , Sugiura Yoshie , Lin Weichun
Published: February 2011

Non‐technical summary  The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is the synaptic connection between the nerve and the muscle. The neuromuscular synaptic transmission is highly reliable, as each nerve impulse results in the release of more neurotransmitter than is required for evoking an action potential in the muscle. This feature, often referred as the ‘safety factor’, ensures that a muscle contraction will occur in response to each nerve impulse under normal physiological conditions. Here we show that a small, integral membrane protein of synaptic vesicles, named synaptobrevin (Syb)/vesicle‐associated membrane protein (VAMP), is required for optimum synaptic transmission at the NMJ. A genetic mutation in Syb1/VAMP1 in mice causes marked reduction of neurotransmitter release at the NMJ, suggesting an important role for Syb1/VAMP1 in maintaining the ‘safety factor’ of the NMJ.
Conformational changes in the M2 muscarinic receptor induced by membrane voltage and agonist binding
Authors: Navarro‐Polanco Ricardo A. , Galindo Eloy G. Moreno , Ferrer‐Villada Tania , Arias Marcelo , Rigby J. Ryan , Sánchez‐Chapula José A. , Tristani‐Firouzi Martin
Published: February 2011

Non‐technical summary  Muscarinic receptors were recently shown to be modulated by membrane potential. Here, we show that membrane potential alters the binding of agonists in an agonist‐specific manner. Moreover, agonist binding results in agonist‐specific conformational changes in the muscarinic receptor, as measured by changes in the receptor's response to voltage. Voltage‐dependent modulation of muscarinic receptors has important consequences for cellular signalling in excitable tissues and implications for cardiovascular drug development.