bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Ictal Symptomatology and Anatomical Lesions: Their Relationships in Severe Partial Epilepsy
Authors: Munari Claudio , Berta Emilia , Francione Stefano , Tassi Laura , Russo Giorgio Lo , Mai Roberto , Cardinale Francesco , Cossu Massimo , Minotti Lorella , Colombo Nadia , Galli Carlo
Published: November 2007

Summary High‐resolution imaging techniques can demonstrate anatomic alterations in most patients identified as candidates for surgical treatment of their partial epilepsy. The demonstration of an anatomic lesion is only one step in the presurgical diagnostic procedure, which includes video‐EEG and, when necessary, video‐stereo‐EEG recordings of seizures. A review of the literature shows that the simple removal of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐evident lesion (“lesionectomy”) reduces but does not completely suppress seizures in a large percentage of patients, especially those with neuronal migration disorders. This phenomenon could, at least in part, be explained by preliminary data (in 33 patients) showing that less than 20% of seizures correspond to a well‐localized, intra‐lesional discharge in about 40% of stereo‐EEG‐investigated patients with at least one intralesional electrode. The authors illustrate some anatomo‐electroclinical examples of intra‐individual variability of the ictal symptomatology, raising the problem of the decision about the extent of the surgical removal. Recent histologic and immunohistochemical studies have demonstrated several kinds of structural alterations in the stereo‐EEG‐defined epileptogenic zone, not always overlapping with the MRI‐visible lesion. This aspect can further explain some failures of MRI‐guided lesionectomies. That relationships between “lesions” and epileptogenic zones may be variable is also suggested by reports of patients who present with multiple lesions (i.e., cavernous angiomas, Bourneville syndrome) and are cured by removal of only one of them.
Does Making Specific Investments Unobservable Boost Investment Incentives?
Authors: Sloof Randolph , Oosterbeek Hessel , Sonnemans Joep
Published: November 2007

Standard theory predicts that holdup can be alleviated by making specific investments unobservable; private information creates an informational rent that boosts investment incentives. Empirical findings, however, indicate that holdup is attenuated by fairness and reciprocity motivations. Private information may interfere with these, as it becomes impossible to observe whether the investor behaved fair or not. In that way unobservability could crowd out an informal fairness/reciprocity mechanism in place. This paper reports on an experiment to investigate this issue empirically. Our results are in line with standard predictions when there is limited scope for social preferences. But with sufficient scope for these motivational factors, unobservability does not boost specific investments.
An Analysis of Pure‐Revenue Technology Licensing
Authors: Palomeras Neus
Published: November 2007

This paper analyzes the incentives of patentholders to license their technologies for pure‐revenue reasons. We hypothesize that this decision is mainly driven by characteristics of the innovation, which determine its technological attractiveness, the relevance of transaction costs in its transfer and the importance of the competition effect. By using the NBER Patent Citations Database and an original dataset of patented technologies devoted to license in an Internet marketplace, we find that importance, innovativeness, fit into the firm's core and scope of the innovation affect the patentholder's willingness to license it. Results increase our awareness on the drivers of technology licensing decisions.
Patient Admission Patterns and Acquisitions of “Feeder” Hospitals
Authors: Nakamura Sayaka , Capps Cory , Dranove David
Published: November 2007

Acquiring outlying community hospitals is one approach commonly used by large tertiary care hospitals to increase referrals. Sophisticated acquirers may also seek to selectively increase referrals of more profitable patients. To explore these issues, we study vertical hospital acquisitions. Using a treatment and control framework, we find that roughly 30% of vertical acquisitions lead to a significant increase in referrals. Very few result in decreases. We find that increases are concentrated among patients undergoing more profitable procedures and with more generous insurance. However, we find no evidence that hospitals shun patients with higher expected costs of care.
Persistent effects of aerial applications of disparlure on gypsy moth: trap catch and mating success
Authors: Thorpe Kevin W. , Tcheslavskaia Ksenia S. , Tobin Patrick C. , Blackburn Laura M. , Leonard Donna S. , Roberts E. Anderson
Published: November 2007

In forest plots treated aerially with a plastic laminated flake formulation (Disrupt®II) of the gypsy moth sex pheromone disparlure to disrupt gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar(L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), mating was monitored the year of treatment and 1–2 years after treatment to determine the effects of the treatment on suppression of trap catch and mating success. In the year of treatment, there was a greater than 95% reduction in trap catch and a greater than 98% reduction in mating success compared to controls. One year after treatment at a dosage of 37.5 g active ingredient (a.i.) ha−1, trap catch was reduced by 46–56% and mating success was reduced by 60–79%. Both trap catch and mating success were significantly reduced compared to controls in plots treated 1 year previously at 15 g a.i. ha−1. Trap catch, but not mating success, was significantly reduced 2 years after treatment at 37.5 g a.i. ha−1. The efficacy of mating disruption (MD) treatments in the Slow‐the‐Spread of the Gypsy Moth program was significantly reduced 2 years compared to 1 year after treatment. No such reduction was observed in plots treated with aerial applications ofBacillus thuringiensis kurstaki. The higher apparent efficacy of MD treatments 1 year after application may result to some extent from the suppression of moth capture in pheromone traps from the persistent effects of the previous year's treatment.
Predicting the distribution ofEccritotarsus catarinensis, a natural enemy released on water hyacinth in South Africa
Authors: Coetzee Julie A. , Byrne Marcus J. , Hill Martin P.
Published: November 2007

Water hyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes(Mart.) Solms (Pontederiaceae)] is the most damaging aquatic weed in South Africa, where five arthropod biological control agents have been released against it. The most recent introduction ofEccritotarsus catarinensis(Carvalho) (Heteroptera: Miridae) has failed to establish permanent populations at a number of sites in South Africa where water hyacinth is a problem. Cold winter temperatures at these sites are assumed to be the reason for these establishment failures. This assumption was tested by investigating the thermal physiology of the mirid, then incorporating these data into various predictive distribution models. Degree‐day models predict 3–14 generations per year at different localities in South Africa, and five generations at a Johannesburg site where the mirid failed to overwinter. The inability to develop sufficiently rapidly during winter months may hinder overwintering of this insect, which was predicted to develop through only one generation during the winter months of April to August in Johannesburg. A CLIMEX model also showed that cold stress limits the mirid's ability to overwinter in the interior of the country, while determination of the lower lethal limit (–3.5 °C) and critical thermal minimum (1.2 ± 1.17 °C) also indicated that extreme temperatures will limit establishment at certain sites. It is concluded thatE. catarinensisis limited in its distribution in South Africa by low winter temperatures.
Identification of phloem sieve elements as the site of resistance to silverleaf whitefly in resistant alfalfa genotypes
Authors: Jiang Y. X. , Walker G. P.
Published: November 2007

Experiments were conducted to locate the plant tissue where resistance is expressed against silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), in alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. (Fabaceae), genotypes previously shown to have high levels of resistance against this pest. Previous work demonstrated that resistance in the resistant alfalfa genotypes was expressed primarily as high first‐instar mortality; consequently this study focused on first‐instar nymphs. Examination of stylets in cleared leaf tissue indicated that first‐instar nymphs located vascular bundles with equal success on resistant and susceptible alfalfa genotypes. Furthermore, direct current electrical penetration graphs (DC‐EPG) indicated that sieve elements were penetrated and phloem ingestion behavior was initiated with equal success on resistant and susceptible genotypes. Thus, the mechanism of resistance does not reside in tissues encountered by the stylets prior to penetrating a phloem sieve element. Honeydew production (as a proxy for ingestion) was greatly reduced on two resistant genotypes compared to the two susceptible genotypes. The frequency distribution of honeydew production was bimodal, indicating that most individuals on the resistant genotypes produced little or no honeydew while some produced as much honeydew as whiteflies on the susceptible genotypes. This indicates that expression of resistance is an all‐or‐nothing phenomenon; an individual nymph either encounters resistance and cannot sustain ingestion or it does not encounter resistance and ingests just as well as on a susceptible plant. Intermediates are rare. DC‐EPGs indicate that phloem ingestion behavior is significantly reduced on two of the resistant genotypes compared to the susceptible genotypes. The primary reason for this appears to be more frequent termination of phloem ingestion behavior on at least one of the resistant genotypes. On one of the resistant genotypes, the productivity of EPG‐measured phloem ingestion behavior (honeydew produced per min of phloem ingestion behavior) was reduced compared to a susceptible control.
1,2‐Benzisothiazolin‐3‐one in disposable polyvinyl chloride gloves for medical use
Authors: Aalto‐Korte Kristiina , Ackermann Leena , Henriks‐Eckerman Maj‐Len , Välimaa Jarmo , Reinikka‐Railo Hely , Leppänen Esa , Jolanki Riitta
Published: November 2007

Background: Benzisothiazolinone is used as a slimicide in the manufacture of disposable powder‐free polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves. We recently reported 6 patients from dentistry and health care probably sensitized to benzisothiazolinone in PVC gloves.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate how widely disposable PVC gloves for medical use on the Finnish market in 2006 contain benzisothiazolinone and to report new cases from 2 clinics in Helsinki.

Methods: 31 brands of disposable PVC gloves were analysed for their benzisothiazolinone content. We looked through the patient material of Helsinki University Central Hospital to find benzisothiazolinone allergic patients. We also described 3 previously unpublished benzisothiazolinone allergic patients from Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.

Results: 9 (30%) of the 31 glove brands contained 3–26 p.p.m. benzisothiazolinone. From the 2 clinics, we found 5 new benzisothiazolinone allergic patients who had used PVC gloves containing benzisothiazolinone. In addition, 3 patients had used disposable PVC gloves whose benzisothiazolinone content remained unknown.

Conclusions: In Finland, benzisothiazolinone in powder‐free PVC gloves has caused a small epidemic of allergic contact dermatitis in dental personnel and other health care workers. 1/3 of the disposable PVC gloves contained some benzisothiazolinone. A concentration of 20 p.p.m. benzisothiazolinone in a glove seems to be enough for sensitization.
Keratoacanthoma occurring within the red dye of a tattoo
Authors: Kluger Nicolas , Minier‐Thoumin Catherine , Plantier Françoise
Published: November 2007

Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a common keratinizing squamous cell neoplasm of unknown origin characterized by rapid growth and spontaneous involution. Trauma‐induced forms have been observed with various types of skin injury. To our knowledge, reports of KA arising at tattoo sites are scarce in the literature. A 41‐year‐old woman with no medical history presented for a rapidly growing nodule confined to the red part of a tattoo located on the scapula. Histology showed a keratin‐filled cuplike crater with an epithelial proliferation (hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, no keratinocyte atypia). An inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis composed of lymphocytes and histiocytes intermixed with red ink‐related exogenous pigments was noted. Lack of papillomatosis and viral inclusions ruled out the diagnosis of viral wart, absence of granulomatous reaction ruled out deep fungal or mycobacterial infection and lack of cytological atypia and frank architectural abnormalities did not favour a squamous cell carcinoma. KA should be included in the list of cutaneous complications related to tattooing. Diagnosis can be challenging as differential diagnoses include pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia and squamous cell carcinoma. Removal of the entire area, thorough histological examination and careful follow up are mandatory.
Malignant blue nevus with lymph node metastases
Authors: Zyrek‐Betts Jill , Micale Mark , Lineen Angela , Chaudhuri Prabir K. , Keil Shannon , Xue Jianmin , Thomas Jean E.
Published: November 2007

Background:  Malignant blue nevi arise within cellular blue nevi and contain atypical mitoses, necrosis, nuclear pleomorphism and prominent nucleoli. Malignant blue nevus has been described as a distinct identity, a rare form of malignant melanoma, and a misdiagnosed melanoma.

Methods:  We present a patient with metastatic malignant blue nevus and studies on the histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of the neoplasm.

Results:  Histology showed a malignant blue nevus arising in a combined intradermal and cellular blue nevus. CD117 (c‐kit) staining showed diffuse cytoplasmic expression within the cellular blue nevus, decreased staining in the malignant component, and variable positivity within the lymph node metastases. Molecular loss of heterozygosity analysis showed different allelic patterns at the hOGG‐1 locus between the melanoma and control skin specimens with a varying heterozygous allelic pattern in both the benign and malignant blue nevus.

Conclusions:  Our case of malignant blue nevus with lymph node metastasis involved mutation of the hOGG‐1 DNA repair gene. CD117 showed decreased staining of the primary malignant blue nevus with marked upregulation in the metastatic lesion, unlike most metastatic melanomas. Further study is needed to determine if hOGG‐1 mutation or c‐kit upregulation play a role in the pathogenesis of dendritic melanocytic lesions (either benign or malignant).
Antitumor activity of fludarabine against human multiple myeloma in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Meng Haitao , Yang Chunmei , Ni Wanmao , Ding Wei , Yang Xiudi , Qian Wenbin
Published: November 2007

Fludarabine, a nucleoside analogue, plays a major role in the treatment of B‐cell lymphocytic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, and indolent lymphomas. There is a controversy about antitumor activity of fludarabine in multiple myeloma (MM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of fludarabine against human myeloma cells both in vivo and in vitro. We demonstrated that myeloma cell line RPMI8226 was efficiently inhibited by fludarabine, concomitantly with decreased phosphorylation of Akt, down‐regulation of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAP) family, including XIAP and survivin, and induction of apoptosis related to activation of caspase cascade. Contrary to dexamethasone, the effect of fludarabine on RPMI8226 cells was independent of interleukin‐6. Fludarabine also induced cytotoxicity in dexamethasone‐sensitive (MM.1S) and ‐resistant (MM.1R) cells at 48 h with IC50 of 13.48 μg/mL and 33.79 μg/mL, respectively. In contrast, U266 cells were resistant to fludarabine. Moreover, RPMI8226 myeloma xenograft model was established using severe combined immunodeficient mice. The tumors treated with fludarabine at 40 mg/kg increased less than 5‐fold in 25 d comparing with approximately 10‐fold in the control tumors, demonstrating the antitumor activity of fludarabine in vivo. These results suggest that fludarabine may be an important therapeutic option for MM patients who are resistant to dexamethasone.
Ultraviolet A1 phototherapy for treatment of acrosclerosis in systemic sclerosis: controlled study with half‐side comparison analysis
Authors: Durand F. , Staumont D. , Bonnevalle A. , Hachulla E. , Hatron P.‐Y. , Thomas P.
Published: November 2007

Background: Treatments currently used in acrosclerosis for patients with systemic sclerosis (SS) are not very efficient and are associated with adverse effects. Several reports concern the efficacy of ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) phototherapy for localized scleroderma. Recent studies appear to indicate the interest of UVA1 in acrosclerosis for patients with SS. However, these studies are uncontrolled.

Objective: To determine whether UVA1 phototherapy is effective for acrosclerosis in SS with a randomized, investigator‐blinded, controlled study.

Methods: Nine patients with SS completed the study. The duration of disease ranged from 6 to 21 years. None of them had received glucocorticoids or immunosuppressive agents. Low‐dose UVA1 phototherapy (40 J/cm2) of the randomized hand was performed three times weekly over a period of 14 weeks. The other hand served as control. The clinical evaluation used a modified semiquantitative skin scoring system, the index flexion and extension, and a visual analog scale (VAS) was performed at baseline and after treatment.

Results: The mean of skin score and VAS improved significantly (P<0.05), but this improvement does not appear to be different between the treated or the untreated hands. There was no modification of the index flexion or extension. Two patients noticeably improved the functions of the treated hand. No side effects were observed.

Conclusions: These results suggest that UVA1 phototherapy does not improve cutaneous thickness in acrosclerosis even if few functional improvements, and some ulcerations healings can be occasionally observed. However, a larger scale trial is necessary to confirm this inefficiency.
Fluorescence of putative chromophores in Skh‐1 and citrate‐soluble calf skin collagens
Authors: Menter Julian M. , Abukhalaf Imad K. , Patta Abrienne M. , Silvestrov Natalia A. , Willis Isaac
Published: November 2007

Background/purpose: Fluorescence of Skh‐1 hairless mouse and calf skin acid‐soluble type I collagens are envelopes of several bands putatively due to tyrosine (excitation/emission peak at 275/300 nm), dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa; 280/325 nm), tyrosine aggregate (285/360 nm), dityrosine 325/400 nm), and advanced glycation end (AGE) product (370/450 nm), respectively. As these fluorophores can be markers of pathological conditions, we wish to present further evidence for or against these assignments.

Methods: We analysed intact type I mouse collagens and AGE by conventional fluorescence spectroscopy, synchronous spectroscopy, high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and borate quenching.

Results: The relative amount of each fluorophore depends on the collagen sample. Acid‐ or enzyme‐hydrolysis results in loss of fluorescence intensity at 350–400 nm, and enhanced emission 400–500 nm which could be reproduced by controlled dopa oxidation. Borate buffer quenches fluorescence at λ>400 nm from intact collagens, dityrosine, dopa, and oxidized dopa but does not quench tyrosine or AGE fluorescence.

Conclusion: Collagen fluorescence depends on its source and previous history. The data indicate that collagen fluorescence is derived from tyrosine, dopa, interacting tyrosine residues, covalent dityrosine, and dopa oxidation product(s), but not AGE.
Narrow‐band ultraviolet therapy in early‐stage mycosis fungoides: study on 20 patients
Authors: Brazzelli V. , Antoninetti M. , Palazzini S. , Prestinari F. , Borroni G.
Published: November 2007

Background: In recent years, narrow‐band ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB, 311–313 nm) has been found to be beneficial for early‐stages mycosis fungoides (MF). The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of NB‐UVB in 20 patients with early‐stage MF.

Methods: Twenty patients (10 women and 10 men, mean age 54 ± 22 years) with clinically and histologically confirmed MF were enrolled in the study. All of the patients had clinical stage I disease (T1 or T2, N0, M0) with cutaneous involvement, consisting of patch‐stage disease of limited extent, in 50% of the cases (stage IA), and more widespread in the other 50% (stage IB). All the patients were treated with NB‐UVB therapy until more than 95% clearance of the patient's skin lesions had occurred.

Results: A complete response was achieved in 90% of the cases after a mean of 29 ± 14 treatments within a mean period of 4 months (range 1–8 months), with an average cumulative dose of 25 ± 16.77 J/cm2. In the follow‐up period, relapse occurred after a mean period of 8 months (range 3–17 months), and then therapy was restarted.

Conclusion: This study provides evidence that NB‐UVB might be an efficient option for stage IA and IB MF patients.
Bexarotene and narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy combination treatment for mycosis fungoides
Authors: Lokitz Michele L. , Wong Henry K.
Published: November 2007

Combination therapy for mycosis fungoides (MF) has the potential to be synergistic, improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxicities. We present a patient with MF who improved on combination therapy with bexarotene and narrowband ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) therapy. The patient is an 81‐year‐old Caucasian male who initially presented with stage IB MF. After temporary improvement with NB‐UVB phototherapy, he progressed to develop plaques and tumors. Psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy was contraindicated because of ophthalmologic disease. Addition of bexarotene 300 mg daily led to rapid clinical improvement in combination with NB‐UVB. Interruption of NB‐UVB during a prolonged hospitalization led to a clinical flare of lesions, despite continued treatment with bexarotene. Reinitiating NB‐UVB was associated with clinical improvement. This report demonstrates that combination treatment with oral bexarotene and NB‐UVB therapy may represent a safe alternative for the treatment of plaque‐stage MF.
Polydeoxyribonucleotide promotes cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer repair in UVB‐exposed dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Belletti Silvana , Uggeri Jacopo , Gatti Rita , Govoni Paolo , Guizzardi Stefano
Published: November 2007

Background: DNA is the main cellular chromophore for ultraviolet B (UVB). Its absorption leads to the generation of typical photoproducts. The most frequent types (about 80%) are cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Several studies have suggested that treatment with deoxyribonucleosides can protect some cell types from DNA damage. The aim of this work was to evaluate the ability of the polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) to protect human dermal fibroblasts from UVB‐induced DNA damage.

Methods: Human dermal fibroblasts were irradiated with 600 mJ/cm2 of UVB radiation. Cells were analyzed at increasing time points from irradiation to study the recovery from UVB‐induced DNA photodamage. Damage repair was subsequently assessed by immunocytochemical analysis of CPDs levels and by measurement of p53 protein expression.

Results: The extracellular addition of 100 μg/ml PDRN immediately after irradiation caused a strong activation of p53 protein in the first 24 h. This signal was accompanied by an increase in CPDs repair rates at early time points of recovery.

Conclusions: The addition of PDRN to the culture medium supports CPDs repair probably providing a faster supply of precursors for the deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates pool necessary to UVB‐damaged cells. This condition could promote the action of the salvage pathway, thereby accelerating DNA repair, but other inducible responses linked to increased p53 expression could be involved.
Fetus with prenatally diagnosed posterior mediastinal lymphangioma: Characteristic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging findings
Authors: Ono Kyoko , Kikuchi Akihiko , Miyashita Susumu , Iwasawa Yuki , Miyachi Keiko , Sunagawa Sorahiro , Takagi Kimiyo , Nakamura Tomohiko , Sago Haruhiko
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT  Prenatal diagnosis of lymphangiomas located in the posterior mediastinum has been reported to be extremely rare. We present a fetus with a prenatally diagnosed posterior mediastinal lymphangioma found at 28 weeks' gestation. Fetal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 46 × 26 × 30 mm multicystic mass extending above the diaphragm, located in the posterior mediastinum. The mass was symmetrically shaped and surrounded the thoracic aorta. No remarkable change was noted in the size, shape and texture of the cyst by serial ultrasound and the fetus did not develop cardiac failure or hydrops in the antenatal period. Postnatal chest X‐ray and MRI confirmed the prenatal findings. The infant was asymptomatic, so he was placed on close follow‐up without any medical or surgical treatment.
Purification and characterization of pepsins A1 and A2 from the Antarctic rock cod Trematomus bernacchii
Authors: Brier Sébastien , Maria Giovanna , Carginale Vincenzo , Capasso Antonio , Wu Yan , Taylor Robert M. , Borotto Nicholas B. , Capasso Clemente , Engen John R.
Published: November 2007

The Antarctic notothenioid Trematomus bernacchii (rock cod) lives at a constant mean temperature of − 1.9 °C. Gastric digestion under these conditions relies on the proteolytic activity of aspartic proteases such as pepsin. To understand the molecular mechanisms of Antarctic fish pepsins, T. bernacchii pepsins A1 and A2 were cloned, overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and characterized with a number of biochemical and biophysical methods. The properties of these two Antarctic isoenzymes were compared to those of porcine pepsin and found to be unique in a number of ways. Fish pepsins were found to be more temperature sensitive, generally less active at lower pH and more sensitive to inhibition by pepstatin than their mesophilic counterparts. The specificity of Antarctic fish pepsins was similar but not identical to that of pig pepsin, probably owing to changes in the sequence of fish enzymes near the active site. Gene duplication of Antarctic rock cod pepsins is the likely mechanism for adaptation to the harsh temperature environment in which these enzymes must function.
The phosphatidylethanolamine level of yeast mitochondria is affected by the mitochondrial components Oxa1p and Yme1p
Authors: Nebauer Ruth , Schuiki Irmgard , Kulterer Birgit , Trajanoski Zlatko , Daum Günther
Published: November 2007

The majority of phosphatidylethanolamine, an essential component of yeast mitochondria, is synthesized by phosphatidylserine decarboxylase 1 (Psd1p), a component of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Here, we report that deletion of OXA1 encoding an inner mitochondrial membrane protein translocase markedly affects the mitochondrial phosphatidylethanolamine level. In an oxa1Δ mutant, cellular and mitochondrial levels of phosphatidylethanolamine were lowered similar to a mutant with PSD1 deleted, and the rate of phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis by decarboxylation of phosphatidylserine in vivo and in vitro was decreased. This was due to a lower PSD1 transcription rate in the oxa1Δ mutant compared with wild‐type and compromised assembly of Psd1p into the inner mitochondrial membrane. Lack of Mba1p, another component involved in the assembly of mitochondrial proteins into the inner mitochondrial membrane, did not affect the amount of phosphatidylethanolamine or the assembly of Psd1p. Deletion of the inner membrane protease Yme1p enhanced Psd1p stability suggesting that Yme1p contributed substantially to the proteolytic turnover of Psd1p in wild‐type. In summary, our results demonstrate a link between the mitochondrial protein import machinery, assembly and stability of Psd1p, and phosphatidylethanolamine homeostasis in yeast mitochondria.
Institutional Conditions for IWRM: The Israeli Case
Authors: Fischhendler Itay
Published: November 2007

Many places in the world are experiencing a water crisis. This water crisis is attributed to a governance crisis, whereas often fragmented institutional and physical water structures are used to explain a policy of overexploitation. The Israeli water system, which adopted integrated water resource management (IWRM), is often cited as a model for other countries struggling with fragmented water systems. Yet, despite the exceptional degree of integration, Israel in the past two decades has adopted an unsustainable water policy. The aim of this study is to understand this failure and thereby to postulate on the institutional conditions required for successful implementation of IWRM. The study focuses on the politics of water allocation during the drought of 1999 to 2002. It was found that the failure originates in setting administrative divisions in the decision‐making process and in differential checks, with no balances implicitly instituted within the integrated water system. These two factors have resulted in a water system that is physically integrated but is not coupled by a balanced institutional structure. This case study teaches us that when reforming the water sector along IWRM lines, measures must be taken to ensure that the physical integration coincides with a balanced institutional integration—otherwise the results may be worse than if there were no integration at all.
Energy Content, Sensory Properties, and Microbiological Shelf Life of German Bologna‐Type Sausages Produced with Citrate or Phosphate and with Inulin as Fat Replacer
Authors: Nowak B. , Von Mueffling T. , Grotheer J. , Klein G. , Watkinson B.‐M.
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT:  The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of reducing energy content (9% to 48%) in bologna‐type sausages by replacing fat with inulin and to study the effects of substituting citrate for phosphate in the traditional sausage formula. German‐type mortadella was produced, and fat was replaced with increasing amounts of inulin as a frozen gel to yield 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% inulin in the final product. In another part of the study, citrate was substituted for the phosphate in the recipe. All sausages produced were sliced, packaged under a modified atmosphere (70% N2, 30% CO2), and stored for 23 d at +7 °C. Sausage quality was determined by chemical and instrumental texture profile analyses, color measurement, sensory evaluation, and microbiological testing. Replacing fat with inulin led to significant energy content reductions of up to 47.5% (with 12% inulin). However, the sensory properties of these sausages were also different from those of the control mortadella: fracturability fell, hardness and adhesiveness rose, and color became darker. In general, the substitution of citrate for phosphate significantly reduced the negative effects of inulin. There were no significant differences in microbiological stability between different inulin batches but there were significant differences between phosphate and citrate batches. Overall, the energy content of bologna‐type sausages produced with citrate and with up to 6% inulin as a fat replacer was 22% lower than that of the control sausages. Furthermore, the sensory attributes (texture, color) of these 6% inulin–citrate sausages were comparable to the control sausages, and the sausages were microbiologically stable for 23 d of storage.
Oregano and Rosemary Extracts Inhibit Oxidation of Long‐Chain n‐3 Fatty Acids in Menhaden Oil
Authors: Bhale S.D. , Xu Z. , Prinyawiwatkul W. , King J.M. , Godber J.S.
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT:  Capabilities of methanol extracts from oregano and rosemary in retarding oxidation of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid C22:6 (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid C20:5 (EPA), in menhaden oil were investigated. The fish oils after mixing with the extracts at different concentrations were oxidized in an accelerated study by heating at 150 °C for 30 min or incubating at 60 °C for 5 d. After heating at 150 °C, only 15.9% of DHA and 18.5% of EPA remained in the fish oil without extract, while 38.8% to 65.9% of DHA and 44.7% to 69.0% of EPA were retained in the fish oil mixed with 1% to 5% of oregano extract. The highest retained DHA (56.9%) and EPA (58.0%) in the fish oils mixed with rosemary extract were observed at 2.5% addition. Increasing rosemary extract to 5% lowered its capability of inhibiting DHA and EPA oxidation. After incubation at 60 °C for 5 d, the highest inhibition capability was also found at 2.5% of added rosemary extract, and the oil retained 88.2% DHA and 88.3% EPA. However, only 18.8% DHA and 23.6% EPA were retained in the fish oil mixed with 5% of oregano extract and no DHA and EPA were detected in the fish oil without extract after 5‐d incubation at 60 °C. Thus, antioxidant activity of the rosemary extract was greater than that of oregano extract, but was sensitive to heat. The rosemary extract also demonstrated higher DPPH (2,2′‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging capability, which was approximately 3 times higher than oregano extract, although there was no significant difference in the total phenolic contents between both extracts.
THE PRICE OF RISK IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN EQUITY MARKET
Authors: Samouilhan Nicholas Lawrence
Published: November 2007

This paper investigates domestic risk–return behaviour by focussing on the intertemporal relationship between the conditional domestic equity market premium, its conditional variance and its conditional covariance with the international equity market. The paper finds that the domestic equity market prices in both domestic and international diversification risk. The estimated daily price of domestic variance risk is 0.0279% (EAR: 7.28%) for every one unit of expected domestic variance. The estimated daily price of covariance risk is 0.0111% (EAR: 2.83%) for every unit of expected covariance risk. The representative domestic investor values domestic variance more than covariance risk. The variances of domestic and international equity returns are found to be time‐varying, as is the covariance between the two. Evidence is found that the Johannesburg Securities Exchange is not perfectly integrated with the world economy, in an absolute sense. The volatility spillover effect is observed to be both significant and positive. The standard Capital Asset Pricing Model misspecifies the return to domestic risk, biasing the risk–return coefficient upwards. Domestic investors are rewarded for holding internationally diversified portfolios, with an internationally diversified portfolio expected to have an additional daily return of 0.0238% (EAR: 6.29%) for the same level of risk as an entirely domestic equity portfolio.
INCOME INEQUALITY, RECIPROCITY AND PUBLIC GOOD PROVISION: AN EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS
Authors: Hofmeyr Andre , Burns Justine , Visser Martine
Published: November 2007

This paper analyses the impact of income inequality on public good provision in an experimental setting. A sample of secondary school students were recruited to participate in a simple linear public goods game where income heterogeneity was introduced by providing participants with unequal token endowments. The results show that endowment heterogeneity does not have any significant impact on contributions to the public good, and that consistent with models of reciprocity, low and high endowment players contribute the same fraction of their endowment to the public pool. Moreover, individuals appear to adjust their contributions in order to maintain a fair share rule.
ON THE RAND: DETERMINANTS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN EXCHANGE RATE
Authors: Frankel Jeffrey
Published: November 2007

This paper is an econometric investigation of the determinants of the real value of the South African rand over the period 1984‐2007. The results show a relatively good fit. As always with exchange rate equations, there is substantial weight on the lagged exchange rate, which can be attributed to a momentum component. Nevertheless, economic fundamentals are significant and important. This is especially true of an index of the real prices of South African mineral commodities, which even drives out real income as a significant determinant. An implication is that the 2003‐2006 real appreciation of the rand can be attributed to the Dutch Disease. In other respects, the rand behaves like currencies of industrialised countries with well‐developed financial markets. In particular, high South African interest rates raise international demand for the rand and lead to real appreciation, controlling also for a forward‐looking measure of expected inflation and a measure of default risk or country risk.
Water Entry and Exit of a Horizontal Circular Cylinder
Authors: Zhu Xinying , Faltinsen Odd M. , Hu Changhong
Published: November 2007

In this paper we describe the fully nonlinear free-surface deformations of initially calm water caused by the water entry and water exit of a horizontal circular cylinder with both forced and free vertical motions. Two-dimensional flow conditions are assumed in the study. This has relevance for marine operations as well as for the ability to predict large amplitude motions of floating sea structures. A new numerical method called the CIP (Constrained Interpolation Profile) method is used to solve the problem. In this paper, the circular cylinder and free surface interaction is treated as a multiphase problem, which has liquid (water), gas (air), and solid (circular cylinder) phases. The flow is represented by one set of governing equations, which are solved numerically on a nonuniform, staggered Cartesian grid by a finite difference method. The free surface as well as the body boundary is immersed in the computational domain. The numerical results of the water entry and exit force, the free surface deformation and the vertical motion of the cylinder are compared with experimental results, and favorable agreement is obtained.
Temporal Variability in Corrosion Modeling and Reliability Updating
Authors: Straub Daniel , Faber Michael Havbro
Published: November 2007

Many parameters influencing corrosion degradation are time variant and the corrosion process is thus subject to temporal variability, the real characteristics of which are commonly neglected in reliability assessment. After a short overview on the quantitative modeling of corrosion loss, a comparison is made between different temporal models of corrosion degradation and the consequences of applying an inappropriate model are investigated. The effect of temporal variability is then investigated in detail and illustrated in an example considering CO2 corrosion in pipelines. It is demonstrated how the time-variant corrosion process can be consistently represented by time-invariant random variables, using equivalent values of the corrosion rate. Finally, the influence of temporal variability on reliability updating following inspections is investigated and it is shown how this effect can be accounted for in inspection planning.
Active and Passive Control of Spar Vortex-Induced Motions
Authors: Korpus R. A. , Liapis S.
Published: November 2007

Spars have become an “industry solution” for deepwater developments. Vortex-induced motion (VIM) of spar platforms in currents remains an important design concern. Although strakes are effective at suppressing riser VIM, all three straked classical spars in the Gulf of Mexico have experienced significant VIM events. These are not examples of poor design but indicate a lack of adequate tools for predicting spar VIM. This paper presents the development and validation of unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) methods to predict real-world spar VIM behavior. It includes the ability to address rough surfaces and high supercritical Reynolds numbers. The resulting algorithms are used to assess the effectiveness of active and passive control strategies for suppressing spar VIM. Active control consists of injecting high-pressure water tangentially into the boundary layer and is shown to be extremely effective at reducing drag and VIM amplitudes. Passive control utilizes a sleeve to channel high-pressure stagnation flow into the boundary layer and is found less effective.
Measurements of Rotordynamic Forces on an Artificial Heart Pump Impeller
Authors: Suzuki Takayuki , Prunières Romain , Horiguchi Hironori , Tsukiya Tomonori , Taenaka Yoshiyuki , Tsujimoto Yoshinobu
Published: November 2007

In centrifugal pumps for artificial hearts, a magnetic drive with lightly loaded journal bearing system is often used. In such a system, the rigidity of the bearing is small and the impeller usually rotates over the critical speed. In such cases, the rotordynamic fluid forces play an important role for shaft vibration. In the present study, the characteristics of the rotordynamic fluid forces on the impeller were examined. The rotordynamic fluid forces were measured in the cases with/without the whirling motion. It was found that the rotordynamic forces become destabilizing in a wide range of positive whirl. The effect of leakage flow was also examined.
Numerical Simulations of Peristaltic Mixing
Authors: Kumar Saurabh , Kim Ho Jun , Beskok Ali
Published: November 2007

Numerical simulations of two-dimensional flow and species transport in a peristaltically driven closed mixer are performed as a function of the Reynolds number (Re⩽6288) and the normalized traveling wave amplitude (ε⩽0.3) at low to moderate Schmidt number (Sc⩽10) conditions. The mixer consists of a rectangular box with a traveling wave motion induced on its bottom surface. Flow and species mixing are produced by the surface motion. The numerical algorithm, based on an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian spectral element formulation, is verified using the asymptotic solutions for small wave amplitude cases. Kinematics of large-deformation conditions are studied as a function of the Reynolds number. Species mixing is simulated at various Re and Sc conditions. Mixing index inverse (M−1) is utilized to characterize the mixing efficiency, where M−1∝exp(Pe−αt) is observed as the long-time behavior. Simulation data are utilized to determine the exponent α at various Re and Sc conditions. For all simulations, 0.28⩽α⩽0.35, typical of partially chaotic flows, have been observed. The effect of flow kinematics and species diffusion on mixing is interpreted.
Frequencies in the Vibration Induced by the Rotor Stator Interaction in a Centrifugal Pump Turbine
Authors: Rodriguez C. G. , Egusquiza E. , Santos I. F.
Published: November 2007

The highest vibration levels in large pump turbines are, in general, originated in the rotor stator interaction (RSI). This vibration has specific characteristics that can be clearly observed in the frequency domain: harmonics of the moving blade passing frequency and a particular relationship among their amplitudes. It is valuable for the design and condition monitoring to count on these characteristics. A CFD model is an appropriate tool to determine the force and its characteristics. However, it is time consuming and needs highly qualified human resources while usually these results are needed immediately and in situ. Then, it is useful to determine these characteristics in a simple, quick, and accurate method. At present, the most suitable method indicates a large amount of possible harmonics to appear, without indicating the relative importance of them. This paper carries out a theoretical analysis to predict and explain in a qualitative way these frequencies and amplitudes. The theoretical analysis incorporates the number of blades, the number of guide vanes, the RSI nonuniform fluid force, and the sequence of interaction. This analysis is compared with the method currently in use, and both methods are applied to a practical case. The theoretical analysis gives a resulting force over the pump turbine, which corresponds well to the measured behavior of a pump turbine in terms of its frequencies and the relationship between their amplitudes. A corrective action is proposed as a result of the analysis and after it is carried out in one of the units, the vibration levels are reduced. The vibration induced by the RSI is predicted considering the sequence of interaction and different amplitudes in the interactions between the same moving blade and different stationary blades, giving a different and original interpretation about the source of the vibration characteristics. A successful corrective action is proposed as a consequence of this new interpretation.
Kinematic and Dynamic Parameters of a Liquid-Solid Pipe Flow Using DPIV∕Accelerometry
Authors: Borowsky Joseph , Wei Timothy
Published: November 2007

An experimental investigation of a two-phase pipe flow was undertaken to study kinematic and dynamic parameters of the fluid and solid phases. To accomplish this, a two-color digital particle image velocimetry and accelerometry (DPIV∕DPIA) methodology was used to measure velocity and acceleration fields of the fluid phase and solid phase simultaneously. The simultaneous, two-color DPIV∕DPIA measurements provided information on the changing characteristics of two-phase flow kinematic and dynamic quantities. Analysis of kinematic terms indicated that turbulence was suppressed due to the presence of the solid phase. Dynamic considerations focused on the second and third central moments of temporal acceleration for both phases. For the condition studied, the distribution across the tube of the second central moment of acceleration indicated a higher value for the solid phase than the fluid phase; both phases had increased values near the wall. The third central moment statistic of acceleration showed a variation between the two phases with the fluid phase having an oscillatory-type profile across the tube and the solid phase having a fairly flat profile. The differences in second and third central moment profiles between the two phases are attributed to the inertia of each particle type and its response to turbulence structures. Analysis of acceleration statistics provides another approach to characterize flow fields and gives some insight into the flow structures, even for steady flows.
On the Applicability of a Spoked-Wheel Wake Generator for Clocking Investigations
Authors: König Sven , Stoffel Bernd
Published: November 2007

A comprehensive investigation was carried out using two different experimental setups: A 1.5-stage axial turbine and a simplified model, a “spoked-wheel” setup with a rotating wake generator consisting of cylindrical bars. The second stator of the turbine was designed at MTU Aero Engines as a high-lift profile with a Reynolds number typical for low-pressure turbines in jet engines. At design conditions, the flow on the stator 2 suction side features a pronounced separation bubble. To study the behavior of the stator 2 boundary layer and the interaction mechanisms between stator and rotor wakes, different measurement techniques were used: X-wire probes, five-hole probes, static pressure tappings, and surface mounted hot-film gauges. It was found that a rotating wake generator of the spoked-wheel type is not capable of resolving the relevant clocking mechanisms that occur in a real engine. However, such a simplified setup is useful to separate some of the physical mechanisms, and in case that the interaction of the stator 1 wakes with the stator 2 boundary layer is negligible, a spoked-wheel setup is well suited to simulate the influence of periodically incoming wakes on the transition behavior of stator 2.