bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IN‐HAND SENSORY EVALUATION OF TEXTURAL CHARACTERISTICS IN MODEL PROCESSED CHEESE ANALOGUES
Authors: PEREIRA R. B. , BENNETT R. J. , McMATH K. L. , LUCKMAN M. S.
Published: February 2007

Seven textural attributes of a range of model processed cheese analogues manufactured with different moisture contents and under different mixing speeds were investigated using in‐hand sensory evaluation. A trained panel of nine judges and descriptive analysis were used. Significant differences between the cheeses were found for firmness (both in compression and upon cutting), stickiness and curdiness. Cheeses with lower moisture content were, in general, firmer, curdier and less sticky than cheeses with higher moisture content. Products with intermediate moisture content resulted, in general, in intermediate scores for those attributes. Mixing speed has significantly affected the curdiness scores (α= 10%), as shown in the response surface regression analysis, but less in comparison to the moisture effect. At the confidence level of 5%, mixing speed was found not to be significant for any sensory attribute. Principal component analysis showed that firmness in compression, firmness in cutting, stickiness and curdiness were interrelated and together explained more than 50 % of the variance in the experimental data. In spite of the relatively narrow range of textures studied and the unconventional evaluation approach, the trained sensory panel used was able to discriminate between the cheese analogues studied.
EVALUATION OF NUMERICAL ALGORITHMS FOR THE INSTRUMENTAL MEASUREMENT OF BOWL‐LIFE AND CHANGES IN TEXTURE OVER TIME FOR READY‐TO‐EAT BREAKFAST CEREALS
Authors: GREGSON C. M. , LEE T.‐C.
Published: February 2007

Cornflakes were immersed in milk, rapidly drained and compressed in a TA. XT2i texture analyser (Stable Micro Systems, UK) fitted with an Ottawa Cell. The data were analyzed numerically yielding nine instrumental crispness parameters. Bowl‐life was determined using an untrained sensory panel. Three models (Weibull, exponential and modified exponential) successfully modeled the change in mechanical properties as a function of immersion time. An instrumental method of measuring bowl‐life is described that measures peak force at a range of immersion times and models the data with the Weibull equation. This method may be a valuable asset to the breakfast cereals industry.
A SMALL SCALE LABORATORY NOODLE SHEETING MACHINE1
Authors: KOVACS M. I. P. , FU B. X. , WOODS S. M. , DAHLKE G. , WANG C. , SARKAR A. K. , KHAN K.
Published: February 2007

Rheological properties of cooked noodles made on a small‐scale laboratory sheeting machine developed at the Cereal Research Centre were strongly correlated with the same properties of noodles made on a pilot noodle sheeting machine. Values obtained from both machines were evaluated against 22 laboratory tests used in our breeding program. For example, cooked noodle viscoelasticity (r=0.89, P < 0.01) and cooked noodle cutting force (r = 0.79, P < 0.01) were similar. Cooked noodle viscoelasticity of fresh noodles made on the laboratory machine correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with 17 of the tests and cooked noodle cutting force correlated significantly with 18 tests. Cooked noodle viscoelasticity of dried noodles made with the pilot plant noodle machine had significant correlations (P < 0.05) with only 14 of the tests and cooked noodle cutting force had significant correlations with 15 tests. The pilot plant machine requires a minimum of 500 g for one sample, while the small‐scale sheeting machine requires only 5‐10 g of flour.
LUBRICITY INDEX OF MAYONNAISE
Authors: STEFFE JAMES F. , AGRAWAL EVA , DOLAN KIRK D.
Published: February 2007

The Lubricity Index (LI) is defined as a new parameter to quantitatively evaluate mouthfeel. Rheological data were collected using a helical ribbon mixer viscometer with commercial mayonnaise products. The LI is calculated from changes in apparent viscosity due to temperature and moisture variations that mirror those found in the mouth during mastication. The rate of change in apparent viscosity with moisture and temperature was much lower with a fat free product than regular products resulting in a low LI value. The LI provides a basis for future efforts to understand, and mathematically model, the complicated process of fluid food mastication.
MODELING THERMAL SOFTENING KINETICS OF POTATOES USING FRACTIONAL CONVERSION OF RHEOLOGICAL PARAMETERS
Authors: SOLOMON W.K. , JINDAL V.K.
Published: February 2007

Texture degradation in potatoes was investigated during heating of cylindrical test samples, 15 mm diameter and 30 mm long, in water at 60, 70, 80 and 90C by mechanical testing. The rheological parameters obtained from the axial and radial compression, creep and stress relaxation tests decreased exponentially with an increase in heating duration and temperature approaching steady levels corresponding to the remaining texture after prolonged heating. A single first‐order kinetic model described the changes in various rheological parameters due to thermal softening of potatoes using fractional conversion technique indicating very high values of the coefficient of determination (R2 > 0.97). In general, the visco‐elastic test parameters were relatively more sensitive to texture degradation in potatoes in comparison with the quasi‐static test parameters. Overall comparison showed that elasticity and viscosity parameters in Kelvin component of the 4‐element model (E2 and η2) from creep tests and elasticity moduli from axial and radial compression tests (Ea and Er) best presented the texture degradation kinetics in potatoes with R2 ranging from 0.98 to 0.99.
CHANGES IN COOKING AND TEXTURAL PROPERTIES OF SPAGHETTI COOKED WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SALT IN THE COOKING WATER
Authors: SÖZER N. , KAYA A.
Published: February 2007

The effect of cooking water on textural and cooking properties of spaghetti was examined using four different salt concentrations 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4% in the cooking water and two types of spaghetti. Brand A was normal durum wheat spaghetti and brand B was spaghetti enriched with bran. Regardless of the cooking water used, brand B was harder, less sticky than brand A and it absorbed less water. Brand A required less cooking time. As salt concentration increased cooking time and hardness scores increased. Adhesiveness values were highest at the early stages of cooking and declined as cooking time increased.
RHEOLOGY OF SUCROSE‐CMC MODEL SOLUTION
Authors: BERTO MARIA ISABEL , GRATÃTO ANA CAROLINA A. , VITALI ALFREDO A. , JR VIVALDO SILVEIRA
Published: February 2007

The rheological behavior of an aqueous solution composed of 65% sucrose and 0.1% CMC was experimentally determined from ‐10C to 50C using a rotational viscometer equipped with coaxial cylinders. The model solution behaved as pseudoplastic fluid, represented by the power‐law model. Flow behavior and consistency indices determined at ‐10.1, 0.5, 9.8, 19.0, 30.1 and 50. OC, showed values between 0.79 to 0.86 and 0.15 to 10.22 Pa. sn, respectively. The effect of temperature on the rheological parameters was represented by Arrhenius‐type relationships, with R2≥ 0.97. They were compared to the rheological behavior of a concentrated orange juice with 65° Brix and 7% pulp content. The comparison of separate rheograms for both fluids showed that the model solution can be used to represent concentrated orange juice.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF AERATED CONFECTIONERY
Authors: DECKER N.R. , ZIEGLER G.R.
Published: February 2007

Mechanical properties, including an extensional modulus, penetration modulus and cut force, of an aerated confectionery nougat were measured instrumentally as a function of nougat density in the range 0.66–1.12 g/mL. Despite the fact that the material was not a true cellular solid, the properties were adequately modeled by the expression C1(ρ‐ρc)n with n = 3 as befits a closed‐cell foam. The critical density, ρc, appeared to correspond to the density at random close packing for spherical air cells, i.e., an air cell fraction of ≈ 0.6.
STRESS RELAXATION BEHAVIOUR OF FROZEN SUCROSE SOLUTIONS
Authors: XU X. , JERONIMIDIS G. , ATKINS A.G. , TRUSTY P.A.
Published: February 2007

The stress relaxation behaviour of two frozen sucrose solutions (7% and 19%) during indentation in the temperature range of ‐20C to ‐40C were investigated. The stress relaxation is similar to that of pure polycrystalline ice, which is controlled by steady‐state creep. The steady state creep rate exponent, m, of 7% and 19% sucrose solutions lies between 2.3 and 3.6. The steady state creep rate constant, B, of 19% sucrose solution is greater than that of 7% sucrose solution. It is suggested that the steady‐state creep rate exponent m depends on contributions from the proportions of favourably oriented grains, unfavourably oriented grains and grain boundaries to creep and that these components depend on the value of internal stress which is related to the hardness of samples at the different testing temperatures. The steady‐state creep rate constant B depends on the mobility of dislocations in sucrose solutions which, in turn, depends on the temperature and the concentration of sucrose.
Cancer Survival in California Hispanic Farmworkers, 1988‐2001
Authors: Dodge Jennifer L. , Mills Paul K. , Riordan Deborah G.
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT: Context:Although epidemiologic studies have identified elevated cancer risk in farmworkers for some cancer types, little is known about cancer survival in this population.Purpose:To determine if cancer survival differs between a Hispanic farmworker population and the general Hispanic population in California.Methods:Hispanic United Farm Workers of America union members and California Hispanics diagnosed from 1988 to 2001 with a first primary cancer were identified from the California Cancer Registry. Kaplan‐Meier observed 5‐year cause‐specific survival rates were calculated, and log‐rank tests assessed population differences. Cox proportional hazards models for the most common cancers provided age‐, stage‐, and year of diagnosis–adjusted hazard ratios.Findings:Observed 5‐year cancer‐specific survival rates were lower for Hispanic United Farm Workers of America men compared to California Hispanic men for all cancer sites combined (53.7% vs 57.7%, respectively) and colorectal cancer (48.1% vs 60.6%, respectively) and higher for non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma (86.7% vs 57.6%, respectively). Only non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma survival differences remained significant (P = .021) after adjusting for age and stage at diagnosis. No statistically significant survival differences were detected between United Farm Workers of America and California Hispanic women.Conclusions:Although survival was generally similar between United Farm Workers of America members and California Hispanics, lower crude survival among United Farm Workers of America men for all sites combined and colorectal cancer warrants public health measures to address barriers to cancer screening in California’s Hispanic farm‐working populations. Histology‐specific analyses with larger sample sizes are required before reaching conclusions on non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma survival differences.
Sociodemographic Factors and Self‐Management Practices Related to Type 2 Diabetes Among Hispanics and Non‐Hispanic Whites in a Rural Setting
Authors: Coronado Gloria D. , Thompson Beti , Tejeda Silvia , Godina Ruby , Chen Lu
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT: 
Context: Hispanics in the United States have a higher prevalence of non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes) and experience more complications for the disease than non‐Hispanic whites. Differences in medical management or self‐management practices may, in part, explain the relative high risk for diabetes complications among Hispanics. Purpose: Using data from a community‐randomized intervention study on cancer prevention, we examined the medical management and self‐management practices of Hispanics and non‐Hispanic whites who have diabetes. Methods: Locally hired bilingual personnel conducted in‐person interviews of a random selection of 1,863 adults in 20 communities in the Yakima Valley of eastern Washington State. Findings: A total of 70 Hispanics (11% age‐adjusted prevalence) and 87 non‐Hispanic whites (7.3% age‐adjusted prevalence) reported having type 2 diabetes. Hispanics with a high level of acculturation were slightly more likely to have diabetes, compared to those with a low level of acculturation, though the association was nonsignificant. Hispanics were significantly less likely than non‐Hispanic whites to treat their diabetes with diet and exercise (36% vs 61.3%; P ≤ .001). Annual eye examinations were less commonly reported among Hispanics (48.9%) than among non‐Hispanic whites (72.7%). Conclusions: Our data indicate that Hispanics engage less frequently in self‐management practices to control diabetes than non‐Hispanic whites.
Making European Managers: an Overview
Authors: Storey John
Published: February 2007

John Storey, the Guest Editor of this special issue, is Senior Lecturer and Director of the Human Resource and Change Management Research Unit at Loughborough University. In this introductory article he reviews the wide span of issues raised by the idea of ‘Making European Managers’ and he places the contributing articles in context. This scene‐setting piece organises the literature into two main blocks: first, the analyses of the competencies required by those who manage transnationally, and second, the analyses of the contrasting ways in which managers are made in the different European countries.
The Managerial Limits to Japanization: A Manufacturing Case Study
Authors: Broad Geoffrey
Published: February 2007

Geoffrey Broad, who is Lecturer in Comparative Industrial Relations in the Department of Business and Management Studies, University of Salford, reports on his detailed longitudinal study of the views of British and Japanese managers introducing a ‘high‐involvement management’(HIM) strategy in a Japanese electronics plant in Wales. He suggest that the formal arrangements for activating such a strategy – extensive information sharing, team briefing, consultation and quality improvement teams – raised fundamental issues for power sharing and control between the two groups, as well as having significant implications for shop floor relations. In particular, the employee involvement actively encouraged by Japanese managers contrasted markedly with the preferred ‘traditional’ prerogatives of the British managers. In the circumstances, he challenges the popular stereotype of ‘Japanisation’ and points to a range of implications for management development in such initiatives.
Tqm: Instant Pudding For the Personnel Function?
Authors: Wilkinson Adrian , Marchington Mick
Published: February 2007

Adrian Wilkinson and Mick Marchington, who are Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in Industrial Relations at the Manchester School of Management, consider the long‐running debate about the role of the personnel function and, in particular, the argument that line managers are now taking the lead in the development of HR initiatives. They argue that this debate obscures the reality of organisational diversity and that a more fruitful line of enquiry is to focus on the different roles which personnel practitioners may play. They stress the diversity and multiplicity of personnel contributions in the development of TQM initiatives uncovered in their recent case study research, and suggest that there is perhaps a more optimistic future for the personnel function than implied elsewhere.
Herr Ingenieur or the Grease‐Monkey? How the Managerial Prospects of Engineers are Perceived
Authors: Canainn Aodh Ó
Published: February 2007

The work roles considered appropriate to an occupational group are determined by its status in the organisation. Status depends on how group members are perceived. the article shows that perceptions of engineers as managers derive from the way the company defines the profession by qualifications required and the boundary established between it and other technical employees. the test of engineers’ power is ability to survive a decline in the strategic importance of engineering in the company. Survival is assured by the engineer's development of generalist abilities rather than specialist ones.
Strategy and the Ethical Management of Human Resources
Authors: Miller Paul
Published: February 2007

Paul Miller, who teaches at Newcastle University, proposes a framework for thinking about the ethical management of human resources. He suggests a number of ‘deliverables’ which employees are entitled to expect from their employment and argues that these are unlikely to be found in organisations which do not have an appropriate fit between organisational strategy and the management of human resources.
Decentralisation of Pay In the Nhs: Diagnosis and Prognosis
Authors: Corby Susan , Higham Dawn
Published: February 2007

This article analyses why some NHS trusts have departed from national arrangements and adopted a local pay regime, while others have not. It finds that the primary determinant is the attitude of management, particularly the chief executive. This is value driven and not a pragmatic response to the labour market. Although a healthy financial position is a necessary condition for a trust pay regime, it is not an adequate causative explanation. Moreover, while management sets the agenda, the pace, manner and extent of change, are tempered by the cohesiveness and vigour of the staff‐side and the power of the medical profession. It also suggests that in some trusts more immediately pressing priorities have taken precedence over the government initiative on local pay bargaining, so it will be some time before fully fledged pay systems are adopted.
A test of the HRM model: good for employers and employees
Authors: Benkhoff Birgit
Published: February 2007

Some of the assumptions made by the proponents of the strong version of HRM are tested, using social identity theory and group processes. In particular, the author explores the proposed link between the HRM characteristics integration, commitment, quality and flexibility and examines their relationships to employee satisfaction, intention to stay and organisational performance. Based on a survey conducted among bank employees, correlational and multiple regression analysis, both at individual and at branch level, confirm the connection between integration, commitment, quality and flexibility. Commitment emerges as the central variable. It is closely related to work satisfaction and intention to stay and, most importantly, makes a significant contribution to branch performance.
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS ON SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE ENTERPRISES1
Authors: Ellis L.l.
Published: February 2007

Based on the Bureau of Economic Research (BER's) 2005 HIV/AIDS survey, this paper provides a snapshot view of the nature and the extent of the impact of HIV/AIDS on companies of different sizes in South Africa, as well as their response to the epidemic. Whereas the focus of most of the previous workplace surveys has been on “evaluating workplace responses”, the present study also considers the economic impact of HIV/AIDS. This study provides evidence of the impact of HIV/AIDS on the largest sample of small, medium and large companies in South Africa to date. The survey results suggest that employer responses are strongly linked to company size, with the majority of medium and large companies indicating that they have an HIV/AIDS policy in place and small companies having done little in the way of action against the epidemic.
DETERMINANTS OF JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES: EVIDENCE FROM THE KHAYELITSHA/MITCHELL'S PLAIN SURVEY
Authors: Schöer Volker , Leibbrandt Murray
Published: February 2007

The search behaviour of the unemployed is an under‐explored but important aspect of the unemployment puzzle in South Africa. The conventional conceptualisation of search rests on a simple dichotomy between active searching versus non‐searching. This is a particularly blunt lens for investigating and understanding searchers who use social networks as the basis for their search strategy as such search does not qualify as active searching. Using data from metropolitan Cape Town this paper shows that such a search strategy is an important component of overall job‐seeking behaviour for large percentages of searchers. A simple search model is presented to clarify the benefits and costs associated with different strategies and descriptive and multivariate analyses of the data are undertaken in order to highlight key factors influencing the choice of strategies. Findings illustrate the usefulness of the simple model by showing that the chosen search strategy is a compromise between the most effective way of finding a job and what is actually feasible for an individual. Being a female lowers the probability of active search compared to network search. A number of household characteristics are also important. Domestic duties hinder more active search while local embeddeness is key to the effectiveness of and the use of social network search.
Response of introduced European birds in New Zealand to experimental brood parasitism
Authors: Hale Katrina , V. Briskie James
Published: February 2007

The loss of anti‐parasite adaptations against the European cuckooCuculus canoruswas studied in three European passerine species, song thrushTurdus philomelos, blackbirdT. merula, and chaffinchFringilla coelebs, introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century. Chaffinches in New Zealand ejected non‐mimetic eggs at a rate similar to their source population in the United Kingdom, but both song thrushes and blackbirds in New Zealand rejected non‐mimetic eggs at a higher rate than the United Kingdom. It is not clear if this difference reflects variation among hosts in their response to brood parasitism or if it is an artefact of subtle differences in the types of non‐mimetic eggs tested. In contrast, all three introduced species showed little aggression to a taxidermic model of a European cuckoo presented at their nests. This differs from European populations of these species, where model cuckoos are typically attacked. Our results suggest that in the∼130 years since their release in New Zealand, introduced birds have lost recognition of the European cuckoo but not their ability to discriminate non‐mimetic eggs. The differential loss of anti‐parasite adaptations by introduced birds in New Zealand suggests that cyclical models of host/parasite co‐evolution may need to take into account the differing rates at which different host adaptations are lost and gained.
Metallographic Examination and Validation of Thermal Effects in Hypervelocity Gouging
Authors: Cinnamon John D. , Palazotto Anthony N.
Published: February 2007

In this work, a gouged section of 1080 railroad rail steel is examined using metallographic techniques to characterize the nature of the damage. The gouging was performed by a rocket sled at Holloman Air Force Base, riding on VascoMax 300 steel shoes at 2.1km∕s. The damaged rail is evaluated in detail to examine material phase changes, shear bands, and heat effects. The results are compared to samples of the virgin material, machined and prepared exactly as they are prior to the Holloman AFB High Speed Test Track (HHSTT) runs. The gouged section was examined using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and other techniques. The resulting microstructure is presented and compared to the virgin material. Material mixing, shear band formation, and significant thermal damage, consistent with a high energy gouging event, are confirmed. In addition, the material phase change evident in this approach allows us to estimate the thermal conditions present during the formation of the gouge. This thermal history establishes a profile by which related research in gouge simulation can be validated against. A one-dimensional heat conduction model is presented that validates the cooling rates required to generate the presented microstructure.
The effect of smoothing filter slope and spectral frequency on temporal speech information
Authors: Healy Eric W. , Steinbach Heidi M.
Published: February 2007

It is known that information contained within the filter skirts can provide cues important to speech intelligibility. However, the role of filter slope during temporal smoothing has received little attention. In experiment 1, smoothing filter slope angle was found to have a large effect on the intelligibility of sentences represented by three amplitude-modulated sinusoids. In experiment 2, the use of temporal cues above 16Hz was examined across various regions of the spectrum. When increases in rate were presented to individual spectral bands, intelligibility only increased when presented in the higher spectral region. This result suggests a greater reliance on higher-rate cues in this region. However, intelligibility was greatest when these cues were distributed across the spectrum, indicating that their effective use is not restricted solely to this region.
Evidence of dispersion in an artificial water-saturated sand sediment
Authors: Wilson Preston S. , Reed Allen H. , Wilbur Jed C. , Roy Ronald A.
Published: February 2007

A laboratory experiment was conducted to measure the speed of sound in an artificial water-saturated granular sediment composed of cleaned and sorted medium-grained sand and degassed distilled water. The experiment was conducted within a range of frequencies where dispersion is predicted by a number of existing models. Between 2 and 4kHz, the sound speed was inferred from measurements of the resonance frequencies of a thin-walled cylindrical container filled with the material. An elastic waveguide model was used to account for the effect of the finite impedance of the walls, although this effect was found to be small. From 20 to 300kHz, the sound speed was obtained directly from time-of-flight measurements within the sediment. Dispersion in close agreement with the Williams effective density fluid model [K. L. Williams, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 110, 2276–2281 (2001)] was observed.
Numerical evaluation of the acoustic radiation from planar structures with general baffle conditions using wavelets
Authors: Langley R. S.
Published: February 2007

A method is presented for computing the acoustic radiation from baffled, unbaffled, or partially baffled planar structures. The surface displacement and the surface pressure are expressed in terms of wavelets, and the acoustic dynamic stiffness (baffled case) or the acoustic receptance (unbaffled case) between any two wavelets is derived in closed form. The wavelets are employed with translation only (i.e., no dilation), and the jinc function is used; the Hankel transform of this function is the Heavyside step function, and this feature greatly simplifies the analysis. There is a trivial mapping between the wavelet amplitudes and the physical motion of the structure, and hence the dynamic stiffness and receptance results can readily be used to derive the acoustic dynamic stiffness matrix (by inverting the receptance matrix in the unbaffled case) in any set of generalized coordinates. Partially baffled systems can then be studied by substructuring the dynamic stiffness matrix. A set of example problems is considered in which the method is used to compute the resistive and reactive radiation efficiency of a range of benchmark systems.
Semi-analytical computation of the acoustic field of a segment of a cylindrically concave transducer in lossless and attenuating media
Authors: Ülker Karbeyaz Başak , Miller Eric L. , Cleveland Robin O.
Published: February 2007

Conventional ultrasound transducers used for medical diagnosis generally consist of linearly aligned rectangular apertures with elements that are focused in one plane. While traditional beamforming is easily accomplished with such transducers, the development of quantitative, physics-based imaging methods, such as tomography, requires an accurate, and computationally efficient, model of the field radiated by the transducer. The field can be expressed in terms of the Helmholtz-Kirchhoff integral; however, its direct numerical evaluation is a computationally intensive task. Here, a fast semi- analytical method based on Stepanishen’s spatial impulse response formulation [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 49, 1627–1638 (1971)] is developed to compute the acoustic field of a rectangular element of cylindrically concave transducers in a homogeneous medium. The pressure field, for lossless and attenuating media, is expressed as a superposition of Bessel functions, which can be evaluated rapidly. In particular, the coefficients of the Bessel series are frequency independent and need only be evaluated once for a given transducer. A speed up of two orders of magnitude is obtained compared to an optimized direct numerical integration. The numerical results are compared with Field II and the Fresnel approximation.
Unattended speech processing: Effect of vocal-tract length
Authors: Rivenez Marie , Darwin Christopher J. , Bourgeon Léonore , Guillaume Anne
Published: February 2007

Rivenez et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 119 (6), 4027–4040 (2006)] recently demonstrated that an unattended message is able to prime by 28ms a simultaneously presented attended message when the two messages have a different F0 range. This study asks whether a difference in vocal-tract length between the two messages rather than a difference in F0 can also produce such priming. A priming effect of 13ms was found when messages were in the same F0 range but had different (15%–30%) vocal-tract length, suggesting that the processing of unattended speech strongly relies on the presence of perceptual grouping cues.
Comparison of Virulence Plasmids among
Clostridium perfringens
Type E Isolates
Authors: Li Jihong , Miyamoto Kazuaki , McClane Bruce A.
Published: February 2007

Clostridium perfringens
type E isolates produce iota-toxin, which is encoded by
iap
and
ibp
genes. Using Southern blot analyses, the current study identified
iap/ibp
plasmids of ∼97 or ∼135 kb among eight type E isolates. For most of these isolates, their
iap/ibp
plasmid also encoded urease and lambda-toxin. However, the beta2-toxin gene, if present, was on a different plasmid from the
iap/ibp
plasmid. For all isolates, the
iap/ibp
plasmid carried a
tcp
locus, strongly suggesting that these plasmids are conjugative. Overlapping PCR analyses demonstrated some similarity between the
iap/ibp
plasmids and enterotoxin-encoding plasmids of type A isolates. Additional PCR analyses demonstrated that the
iap/ibp
locus is located near
dcm
sequences, an apparent plasmid hot spot for toxin gene insertion, and that two IS
1151
-related sequences are present in the
iap/ibp
locus. To begin testing whether those IS
1151
-like sequences can mobilize
iap/ibp
genes, a PCR assay was performed that amplifies a product only from circular DNA forms that could represent transposition intermediates. This PCR assay detected circular forms containing
iap/ibp
genes and silent enterotoxin gene sequences, with or without an IS
1151
-like sequence. Collectively, these results suggest that a mobile genetic element carrying
iap/ibp
has inserted onto a
tcp
-carrying enterotoxin plasmid in a type A isolate, creating a progenitor
iap/ibp
plasmid. That plasmid then spread via conjugation to other isolates, converting them to type E. Further
iap/ibp
plasmid diversity occurred when either the
iap/ibp
genes later remobilized and inserted onto other conjugative plasmids or some
iap/ibp
plasmids acquired additional DNA sequences.
Predictors of symptomatic response to glucosamine in knee osteoarthritis: an exploratory study: Table 1
Authors: Bennett Alexander N , Crossley Kay M , Brukner Peter D , Hinman Rana S
Published: February 2007

Objective:To evaluate whether patient characteristics and/or radiographic disease patterns predict symptomatic response to treatment with glucosamine in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

Design:Exploratory prospective correlational study.

Setting:Institutional.

Patients:39 participants with chronic knee pain from the local community.

Interventions:Glucosamine sulphate (1.5 g/day) for 12 weeks.

Main outcome measures:Pain and physical function were assessed with visual analogue scales (VASs) and participant-perceived global change scores (GCSs). Regression modelling evaluated the relationship between treatment outcome and age, body mass index (BMI), pain and function self-efficacy and presence/absence of osteophytes in the medial and lateral tibiofemoral joint (TFJ) and patellofemoral joint (PFJ) compartments.

Results:13 (33%) participants were men. The mean (SD) age and BMI were 53.6 (13.1) years and 27.9 (4.6) kg/m2, respectively. 13 (33%), 19 (49%) and 24 (62%) participants had medial TFJ, lateral TFJ and PFJ osteophytes, respectively. Glucosamine significantly improved pain (mean change on VAS =  −1.4, 95% CI −0.6 to −2.2; p = 0.002) and activity restriction (−1.9, 95% CI −1.0 to −2.8; p<0.001). At 12 weeks, 30 (77%) and 27 (69%) participants reported improvement in pain and physical function, respectively. Regression modelling showed that no evaluated variables predicted change in pain on VAS. Decreased function self-efficacy, presence of PFJ osteophytes and absence of medial TFJ osteophytes predicted functional improvement on VAS. BMI, pain self-efficacy and function self-efficacy predicted improvement in pain by GCS.

Conclusions:Although glucosamine significantly improved symptoms, most of the variance in outcome at 12 weeks was unexplained by the predictors evaluated. However, glucosamine may be more effective at improving symptoms in patients with knee OA who have a lower BMI, PFJ osteophytes and lower functional self-efficacy.
Effects of acute salbutamol intake during supramaximal exercise in women
Authors: Le Panse Bénédicte , Arlettaz Alexandre , Portier Hugues , Lecoq Anne-Marie , De Ceaurriz Jacques , Collomp Katia
Published: February 2007

Objective:To study the effects of an acute therapeutic oral intake of β2agonist on performance and substrate response during supramaximal exercise in women.

Methods:12 healthy moderately trained female volunteers performed a Wingate test after ingestion of placebo (Pla) and salbutamol (Sal; 4 mg) according to a double-blind randomised crossover study. Blood samples were collected at rest, at the end of exercise and after 5 (r5), 10 (r10) and 15 (r15) min of passive recovery for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH), insulin, blood glucose and lactate measurements.

Results:Peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) significantly increased whereas time to peak power was significantly shorter with Sal than with Pla (p<0.05). No change was observed in the fatigue index. ACTH was not significantly modified but r15 growth hormone significantly decreased (p<0.05) after the intake of Sal. Both blood INS and blood glucose were significantly increased by the intake of Sal during all the experiments (p<0.01). Blood lactate was significantly increased by the intake of Sal compared with that of Pla (p<0.05) after 10 and 15 min of passive recovery.

Conclusion:From these data, acute therapeutic oral intake of Sal seems to induce, irrespective of the subjects’ gender, an improvement in performance during a supramaximal exercise—that is, increase in PP and MP. Further studies are necessary to clarify whether the mechanisms involved in the response to intake of Sal are linked to central and/or peripheral pathways.
Medical futility: a conceptual model
Authors: Mohindra R K
Published: February 2007

This paper introduces the medical factual matrix as a new and potentially valuable tool in medical ethical analysis. Using this tool it demonstrates the idea that a defined medical intervention can only be meaningfully declared futile in relation to a defined goal(s) of treatment. It argues that a declaration of futility made solely in relation to a defined medical intervention is inchoate. It recasts the definition of goal futility as an intervention that cannot alter the probability of the existence of the important outcome states that might flow from a defined intervention. The idea of value futility and the extent of physician obligations in futile situations are also addressed. It also examines the source of substantive conflicts which commonly arise within the doctor-patient relationship and the ensuing power relations that operate between doctor and patient when questions of futility arise.
Are those who subscribe to the view that early embryos are persons irrational and inconsistent? A reply to Brock
Authors: Deckers Jan
Published: February 2007

Dan Brock has asserted that those who claim that the early embryo has full moral status are not consistent, and that the rationality of such a position is dubious when it is adopted from a religious perspective. I argue that both claims are flawed. Starting with the second claim, which is grounded in Brock’s moral abstolutist position, I argue that Brock has provided no argument on why the religious position should be less rational than the secular position. With regard to the first claim, I argue that those who hold the view that the early embryo has full moral status can be consistent even if they do not oppose sexual reproduction, even if they do not grieve as much over the loss of embryos as over the loss of other humans, even if they prefer to save one child instead of 100 embryos in the event of fire, and even if they do not accept racism and sexism.
Reproductive cloning, genetic engineering and the autonomy of the child: the moral agent and the open future
Authors: Mameli M
Published: February 2007

Some authors have argued that the human use of reproductive cloning and genetic engineering should be prohibited because these biotechnologies would undermine the autonomy of the resulting child. In this paper, two versions of this view are discussed. According to the first version, the autonomy of cloned and genetically engineered people would be undermined because knowledge of the method by which these people have been conceived would make them unable to assume full responsibility for their actions. According to the second version, these biotechnologies would undermine autonomy by violating these people’s right to an open future. There is no evidence to show that people conceived through cloning and genetic engineering would inevitably or even in general be unable to assume responsibility for their actions; there is also no evidence for the claim that cloning and genetic engineering would inevitably or even in general rob the child of the possibility to choose from a sufficiently large array of life plans.
Justifying surgery’s last taboo: the ethics of face transplants
Authors: Freeman Michael , Abou Jaoudé Pauline
Published: February 2007

Should face transplants be undertaken? This article examines the ethical problems involved from the perspective of the recipient, looking particularly at the question of identity, the donor and the donor’s family, and the disfigured community and society more generally. Concern is expressed that full face transplants are going ahead.
Antioxidant Effect of Wen-Pi-Tang and Its Component Crude Drugs on Oxidative Stress
Authors: Rhyu Dong Young , Kang Ki Sung , Sekiya Michiko , Yokozawa Takako
Published: February 2007

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathophysiologic process of acute and chronic renal diseases. Intracellular component such as lipids, proteins and nucleic acids are easily and rapidly oxidized by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), and such reactions lead to increased levels of lipid peroxide. The present study examined the antioxidant effects of Wen-Pi-Tang and its component crude drugs on 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)- or 2,2′-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) (AMVN)-induced ROS generation and lipid peroxidation of linoleic acid. As a result, Wen-Pi-Tang significantly decreased AAPH or AMVN-induced ROS in renal mitochondrial particles. For the components in Wen-Pi-Tang's prescription, Rhei Rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae Radix extracts strongly inhibited peroxide levels, but Ginseng Radix, Aconiti Tuber and Zingiberis Rhizoma extracts were comparably low. Rhei Rhizoma extract showed the strongest inhibitory activity on oxidative injury, and two of its tannin compounds, (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate and procyanidin B-2 3,3′-di-O-gallate, inhibited AAPH or AMVN-induced ROS significantly. Thus, the present data suggest that Wen-Pi-Tang and its component crude drugs effectively prevent biological toxicity on oxidative stress through potent antioxidant and anti-lipid peroxidation activities.
A GAUGE THEORY OF QUANTUM MECHANICS
Authors: ISIDRO JOSÉ M. , DE GOSSON MAURICE A.
Published: February 2007

An Abelian gerbe is constructed over classical phase space. The two-cocycles defining the gerbe are given by Feynman path integrals whose integrands contain the exponential of the Poincaré–Cartan form. The U(1) gauge group on the gerbe has a natural interpretation as the invariance group of the Schrödinger equation on phase space.
Expression of islet inducible nitric oxide synthase and inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin release after long-term lipid infusion in the rat is counteracted by PACAP27
Authors: Qader Saleem S. , Jimenez-Feltström Javier , Ekelund Mats , Lundquist Ingmar , Salehi Albert
Published: February 2007

Chronic exposure of pancreatic islets to elevated plasma lipids (lipotoxicity) can lead to β-cell dysfunction, with overtime becoming irreversible. We examined, by confocal microscopy and biochemistry, whether the expression of islet inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the concomitant inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin release seen after lipid infusion in rats was modulated by the islet neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)27. Lipid infusion for 8 days induced a strong expression of islet iNOS, which was mainly confined to β-cells and was still evident after incubating islets at 8.3 mmol/l glucose. This was accompanied by a high iNOS-derived NO generation, a decreased insulin release, and increased cyclic GMP accumulation. No iNOS expression was found in control islets. Addition of PACAP27 to incubated islets from lipid-infused rats resulted in loss of iNOS protein expression, increased cyclic AMP, decreased cyclic GMP, and suppression of the activities of neuronal constitutive (nc)NOS and iNOS and increased glucose-stimulated insulin response. These effects were reversed by the PKA inhibitor H-89. The suppression of islet iNOS expression induced by PACAP27 was not affected by the proteasome inhibitor MG-132, which by itself induced the loss of iNOS protein, making a direct proteasomal involvement less likely. Our results suggest that PACAP27 through its cyclic AMP- and PKA-stimulating capacity strongly suppresses not only ncNOS but, importantly, also the lipid-induced stimulation of iNOS expression, possibly by a nonproteasomal mechanism. Thus PACAP27 restores the impairment of glucose-stimulated insulin release and additionally might induce cytoprotection against deleterious actions of iNOS-derived NO in β-cells.
The Role of Host Immune Response and Apoptosis in Patients with Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Gomatos I.P. , Georgiou A. , Giotakis J. , Manolopoulos L. , Apostolou K. , Chatzigianni E. , Albanopoulos K. , Ferekidou E.
Published: February 2007

Purpose: To determine whether the combined use of markers of host immune response (HLA-DR) and apoptosis (bax and bcl-2) can predict prognosis in laryngeal carcinoma patients. Procedures: Immunohistochemical staining for HLA-DR, bax and bcl-2 proteins was investigated retrospectively in 37 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Seven healthy adult males were used as the control group. Results: HLA-DR antigen expression was detected in the tumor cells of 18 patients (48.6%). Another 18 patients (48.6%) expressed HLA-DR antigen in the peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate, while bax and bcl-2 protein expressions were detected in 17 (45.9%) and 9 (24.3%) patients, respectively. None of the controls expressed any of the proteins studied. bcl-2 and HLA-DR protein expressions of the tumor infiltrate were statistically significant independent prognostic factors suggesting improved survival (p = 0.0272 and p = 0.0285, respectively). bax+/bcl-2– patients demonstrated an unfavorable clinical outcome (p = 0.0298), followed by a significantly increased mean HLA-DR antigen expression observed both in the tumor and the stroma cells (p = 0.024 and p = 0.045, respectively). Conclusions: bcl-2 and HLA-DR proteins independently predict a dismal prognosis among laryngeal carcinoma patients. The bax+/bcl-2– protein coexpression pattern correlates with elevated immunohistochemical expression of HLA-DR antigen both by tumor and peritumoral stromal cells. Message: bcl-2 and HLA-DR are significant prognostic markers in laryngeal carcinoma patients. Further prospective investigation is required to validate our findings.
Cysteinyl Leukotriene Receptor Expression in Aspirin-Sensitive Nasal Polyposis Patients
Authors: Ozen Zeki , Mumbuc Semih , Sarı İbrahim , Baglam Tekin , Karatas Erkan , Kanlıkama Muzaffer
Published: February 2007

Background: The aim of this study was to detect cysteinyl leukotriene (Cys-LT) receptors in aspirin-sensitive nasal polyposis patients, and compare them with nasal polyposis and chronic rhinosinusitis patients without aspirin sensitivity. Methods: The formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of a total of 52 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery were reviewed by an experienced head and neck pathologist. Of these 52 cases, there were 22 nasal polyposis cases with aspirin sensitivity, 15 nasal polyposis cases without aspirin sensitivity and 15 chronic rhinosinusitis cases without aspirin sensitivity. Immunohistochemical analyses for Cys-LT1 receptors were performed with polyclonal rabbit antibody. Results: Eosinophil receptor intensity levels were 27.68, 21.67, and 14.40, respectively. This was statistically insignificant (p <0.089). Mast cell receptor intensity levels were 8.41, 5.27, and 4.27, respectively. In the aspirin-sensitive group, mast cell receptor intensity was significantly higher when compared to the nasal polyposis and chronic rhinosinusitis group (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). The difference in Cys-LT1 receptor immunoreactivity in both eosinophils and mast cells among the 3 groups was also found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study revealed that nasal polyps of aspirin-sensitive patients were infiltrated with eosinophils and mast cells, Cys-LT1 receptor proportions in these inflammatory cells were found to be higher and Cys-LT1 receptor immunoreactivity in eosinophils and mast cells was increased.
Brain Injury After Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Hua Ya , Keep Richard F. , Hoff Julian T. , Xi Guohua
Published: February 2007

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a subtype of stroke with high morbidity and mortality. The mechanisms underlying ICH-induced brain injury have become better understood during the past decade. Experimental investigations have indicated that thrombin formation, red blood cell lysis, and iron toxicity play a major role in ICH-induced injury and that these mechanisms may provide new therapeutic targets. This article reviews the role of thrombin and iron in ICH-induced injury.
Cell Transplantation Therapy for Stroke
Authors: Bliss Tonya , Guzman Raphael , Daadi Marcel , Steinberg Gary K.
Published: February 2007

No treatment currently exists to restore lost neurological function after stroke. A growing number of studies highlight the potential of stem cell transplantation as a novel therapeutic approach for stroke. In this review we summarize these studies, discuss potential mechanisms of action of the transplanted cells, and emphasize the need to determine parameters that are critical for transplantation success.