bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of cations as components of jelly coats in Bufo arenarum fertilization
Authors: Medina Marcela Fátima , Crespo Claudia Alejandra , Ramos Inés , Fernández Silvia Nélida 
Published: August 2009

SummaryThe role of monovalent (Na+, K+) and divalent (Ca2+, Mg2+) cations in Bufo arenarum fertilization was analysed. Our results showed that the highest fertilization percentages were obtained when strings of uterine oocytes (UO) were inseminated. Under these conditions, full jelly (FJ), which represents the jelly coats surrounding the oocytes at the time of deposition, contained 68.5 ± 7.0 mM Na+, 27.4 ± 2.4 mM K+, 6.3 ± 0.9 mM Ca2+ and 6.9 ± 0.9 mM Mg2+. When the strings of oocytes were washed in deionized water, these cations diffused into the liquid medium surrounding them. There was a marked similarity between the loss of Ca2+ in the jelly and the decrease in the fertilizability of the UO. Furthermore, the use of chelating agents of divalent cations showed the importance of the Ca2+ contained in the jelly. When Ca2+ was sequestered from the jelly coats by the addition of the chelating agents to the insemination medium as well as by pretreatment of the UO strings, a decrease in fertilization percentages occurred, this effect being dose dependent and more marked with EGTA. These results demonstrate that the Ca2+ in the jelly plays a role in fertilization. Nevertheless, taking into account that during the washing of the jelly other jelly coat components were diffused and considering that the addition of Ca2+ to the insemination medium reverted significantly, but only partially, the loss of fertilizability of jellied UO (washed), the participation of other components in the fertilization mechanism is suggested.
An empirical investigation into the performance of UK pension fund managers
Authors: CLARE ANDREW , NITZSCHE DIRK , CUTHBERTSON KEITH 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe UK's defined benefit pensions industry makes widespread use of pooled investment vehicles which are provided by a large number of fund management groups. In this paper, we provide the first comprehensive performance analysis of these funds. Using data on 734 actively managed pooled funds that had a combined value of just over £400bn at the end of 2007, ranging from UK equity to funds specialising in Pacific Basin equities, our results indicate that the performance of these institutional funds is generally better than those reported in the literature for managers of mutual funds. Nevertheless, with increasing numbers of UK fund managers purporting to be able to provide high alpha products to the UK's beleaguered pensions industry our results do not give us great confidence that the solution to the widespread deficits of the UK's pension fund industry lies in the hands of these active fund managers.
Securing pension benefits in DB private schemes with priority rules: an insight from contracting theory
Authors: LAVIGNE ANNE , NZE-OBAME JESUS HERELL 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis contribution aims at enriching the debate on the priority of unfunded pension rights in the case of a sponsoring firm's bankruptcy. Starting from the idea that pension promises in DB schemes are part of a financial contract between a sponsor and participants to a sponsored pension plan, we argue that plan participants are not ordinary creditors and should be given the same priority as other claimants in the event of underfunding and a sponsoring firm's bankruptcy. We build up a model consistent with this view, which gives room for more participants' involvement in pension fund management. We assume that the sponsoring firm chooses the optimal share of a pension fund deficit that it commits to cover in case of underfunding, while participants choose the contribution rates that maximize their expected utility. We show that two regimes govern the pattern of the relationship between the optimal level of funding chosen by the sponsor and the optimal contribution rates chosen by the plan participants. Allowing plan participants to determine their desired contribution rates gives the entrepreneur the proper incentive for funding the pension plan. In a certain way, our pension contract resembles a cash-balance contract and our model suggests that more security can be given to plan participants in their pension savings by offering them a cash-balance plan which states a priority of unfunded pension rights in case of a firm's bankruptcy.
Modeling cardiac rhythm and heart rate using BFO and DOLCE
Authors: Temal Lynda , Rosier Arnaud , Dameron Olivier , Burgun Anita 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis paper presents an application ontology for modeling cardiac rhythm and its anomalies such as tachycardia and bradycardia. We use BFO and DOLCE as ontological reference framework in order to compare their impact on ontology design.
Distribution of Density in an Ion-Exosphere of a Nonrotating Planet
Authors: Eviatar Aharon , Lenchek Allen M. , Singer S. Fred 
Published: August 2009

A model of an ion-exosphere is set up and an expression is derived for the variation of density with altitude. The ions are considered to be under the control of superimposed gravitational and static, centered-dipole magnetic fields and to have mirror points in the barosphere. Collisions are ignored and the particles are assumed to be trapped in the dipole field.
By use of the first adiabatic invariant and Liouville's theorem, the density is found to fall off faster with height in the exomagnetosphere than in either a neutral exosphere or an ionized barosphere.
Albendazole and its metabolites in the breast milk of lactating women following a single oral dose of albendazole
Authors: Abdel‐tawab Ahmed M. , Bradley Mark , Ghazaly Essam A. , Horton John , El‐Setouhy Maged 
Published: August 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Albendazole is used in several anthelminthic drug programs.• It may be necessary to include sectors of the community (such as breastfeeding women) not previously involved in community or clinical programmes (e.g. filariasis, hydatid disease) to achieve a reasonable level of elimination of the worm.• However, there are no studies in which the amount of the drug and/or its metabolites in the milk of lactating women was analysed, so as to assess the possible exposure of the breastfed infant.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• In the present study, the concentrations of albendazole and its active metabolite (albendazole sulphoxide) were analysed in the milk of lactating women through 36 h after administration of a single (400 mg) oral dose of albendazole.• Albendazole was barely secreted in milk as such.• On the other hand, albendazole sulphoxide was analysed through the 36 h of the study, and it was concluded that albendazole and albendazole sulphoxide attain levels in breast milk that are unlikely to be considered harmful for the breastfed infant.• These findings would help in deciding whether to involve breastfeeding mothers in albendazole mass drug administration programmes.AIMSAlbendazole (ABZ) is used in several anthelminthic drug programmws. ABZ side‐effects are generally mild, but ABZ‐induced pancytopenia may be serious. In filariasis programmes, it may be necessary to administer ABZ to breastfeeding women. Few data are available on safety of ABZ for breastfed infants. In addition, the pharmacokinetics of ABZ and its metabolites in human milk is insufficiently investigated. The aim was to study pharmacokinetics of ABZ and its metabolites [ABZ sulphoxide (ABSX) and ABZ sulphone] in the breast milk lactating women after one single oral dose of ABZ.METHODSThirty‐three lactating women (age 18–40 years) participated in the study. They received a single oral 400‐mg dose of ABZ. Five milk samples were taken at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 36 h. One serum sample was taken after 6 h. Samples were analysed using high‐performance liquid chromatography and pharmacokinetic analysis was performed.RESULTSABZ was detectable in milk samples 6 h after the oral dose. The mean concentration of serum ABZ was 63.7 ± 11.9 ng ml−1. The pharmacokinetic parameters for ABSX were calculated as follows: 351.9 ± 32.4 ng ml−1, 6.9 ± 0.5 h, 12.4 ± 2.2 h and 5190.3 ± 482.8 ng*h ml−1forCmax,Tmax,t½and AUC0–36, respectively. The milk‐to‐serum ratios (range) for ABZ and ABSX were 0.9 (0.2–6.5) and 0.6 (0.1–1.5), respectively.CONCLUSIONSAfter an oral dose of 400 mg, ABZ and ABSX attain low concentrations in breast milk that are unlikely to be considered harmful for the breastfed infant.
Fattening strategies of wintering great tits support the optimal body mass hypothesis under conditions of extremely low ambient temperature
Authors: Krams Indrikis , Cirule Dina , Suraka Valerija , Krama Tatjana , Rantala Markus J. , Ramey Gary 
Published: August 2009

Summary1. In a seasonal environment, subcutaneous energy reserves of resident animals often increase in winter and decline again in summer reflecting gradual seasonal changes in their fattening strategies. We studied changes in body reserves of wintering great tits in relation to their dominance status under two contrasting temperature regimes to see whether individuals are capable of optimizing their body mass even under extreme environmental conditions.2. We predicted that dominant individuals will carry a lesser amount of body reserves than subordinate great tits under mild conditions and that the body reserves of the same dominant individuals will increase and exceed the amount of reserves of subordinates under conditions of extremely low ambient temperatures, when ambient temperature dropped down to −37 °C.3. The results confirmed the predictions showing that dominant great tits responded to the rising risk of starvation under low temperatures by increasing their body reserves and this was done at the expense of their safety.4. Removal experiments revealed that lower body reserves of subordinate flock members are due to the increased intraspecific competition for food under low ambient temperatures.5. Our results also showed that fattening strategies of great tits may change much quicker than previously considered, reflecting an adaptive role of winter fattening which is sensitive to changes in ambient temperatures.
Does oxidative stress mediate the trade‐off between growth and self‐maintenance in structured families?
Authors: Hall Margaret E. , Blount Jonathan D. , Forbes Scott , Royle Nick J. 
Published: August 2009

Summary1. Life‐history theory predicts a trade‐off between growth and self‐maintenance. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Oxidative stress, the imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during normal metabolic processes and the level of antioxidant defences, is a potential mechanism.2. In many altricial birds asynchronous hatching creates different castes of progeny as a hedge against developmental and environmental uncertainty (a ‘structured’ family). Older, ‘core’ offspring and later hatched ‘marginal’ offspring consequently experience contrasting levels of resource availability during development. To be adaptive the phenotypic handicap incurred by marginal offspring must be reversible when conditions allow.3. Dietary‐derived antioxidants are an important component of antioxidant defences, which modulate oxidative damage arising from normal metabolic processes such as growth. Dietary antioxidants could therefore be important determinants of trade‐offs during growth, with the balance of these trade‐offs differing between core and marginal offspring.4. To investigate this, we manipulated brood size and structure as well as antioxidant availability (by vitamin and mineral supplementation), then measured growth and oxidative damage in nestling red‐winged blackbirdsAgelaius phoeniceus.5. We found that individuals supplemented with dietary antioxidants allocated these extra resources to increasing growth rate, rather than reducing oxidative damage. Irrespective of hatch rank, nestlings that received supplementary antioxidants grew faster than controls, despite no difference in their begging behaviour or parental provisioning rates. There was no overall difference in the level of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA) in the blood plasma of supplemented and control chicks, but among marginal offspring those that received an antioxidant supplement had lower plasma MDA. Antioxidant supplementation did not affect nestling survival to fledging age.6. These novel results support the idea that oxidative stress may play a central role in the trade‐off between growth and self‐maintenance. Moreover, they further highlight the importance of physiological costs in the evolution of life‐histories and propose a role for oxidative stress in the adaptive basis of the structured family.
Effect of substitution of soy protein isolate on aroma volatiles, chemical composition and sensory quality of wheat cookies
Authors: Mohsen Sobhy M. , Fadel Hoda H. M. , Bekhit M. A. , Edris Amr E. , Ahmed Mohamad Y. S. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryWheat flour was substituted with soy protein isolate (SPI) at levels of 0–20% and its effect on aroma volatiles and quality of cookies was evaluated. The chemical analysis showed that the moisture and protein content increased gradually by increasing the added levels of SPI whereas the carbohydrate and fat levels showed the opposite trend. The sensory characteristics, aroma, taste, crispiness and overall acceptability showed significant (P < 0.05) increase of up to 10% SPI substitution compared with cookies free of SPI. The gas chromatographic‐mass spectrometric (GC‐MS) analysis of aroma volatiles revealed that the sample containing 10% SPI had the highest yield (13.57%) of pyranones, the key odourants of cookies. The results of GC‐MS analysis were consistent with those of the aroma sensory analysis of cookies during storage.
Effect of extraction systems and cultivar on the quality of virgin olive oils
Authors: Issaoui Manel , Dabbou Samia , Brahmi Faten , Hassine Kaouther Ben , Ellouze Myriem Hajaïj , Hammami Mohamed 
Published: August 2009

SummaryThis research was carried out to compare the effects of two industrial scale processes (super press and triple phase systems) and a traditional Tunisian family‐sized operation with laboratory milling for two varieties of olives: Chemlali and Chemchali. Analyses of the effect of the extraction system, on the oils’ characteristics, revealed statistically significant differences in some parameters, mainly in antioxidant compounds (P < 0.05). Major fatty acids presented significant differences (P < 0.05) with respect to the cultivar kind (55.93% vs. 72.21%). Oxidative stability of Chemchali was nearly two times higher than Chemlali (94.58 vs. 50.37 day kg−1). Results appear to confirm the general consensus that Chemchali oils are of much higher quality compared with the tolerable quality of Chemlali. The traditional method is a valid form of producing high quality oil with very high stability (48.87 and 109.07 day kg−1 for Chemlali and Chemchali oil, respectively). However, industrial mills showed that triple‐phase scale could cause considerable loss in polyphenols. Finally, olive oil quality is mainly dependant on the quality of the olives and on the extraction method.
An efficient method for the large scale isolation of naringin from pomelo (Citrus grandis) peel
Authors: Sudto Kanokorn , Pornpakakul Surachai , Wanichwecharungruang Supason 
Published: August 2009

SummaryAn efficient and simple method was developed to isolate high‐purity naringin, a bitter flavoured (to humans) flavanone glycoside with various pharmacological activities, from pomelo (Citrus grandisOsbeck) peel in high yield. The process, which involves a simple methanol extraction followed by crystallisation in water with the addition of 14–15% (v/v) dichloromethane, gave four times higher yield compared to the same method with no dichloromethane addition and five times higher yield compared to the conventional direct hot water extraction. Through this process, albedo peels from four pomelo cultivars, Khao Taeng‐gwa, Khao Yai, Khao Nam Pheung and Tong Dee, gave 24, 22, 20 and 16 mg of naringin g−1of peel dry weight, respectively. High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance analysis of the obtained naringin indicated >98% purity. Large scale isolation was also demonstrated.
Determination of phytic acid in cereals – a brief review
Authors: Wu Peng , Tian Ji‐Chun , Walker C. E. (Chuck) , Wang Feng‐Cheng 
Published: August 2009

SummaryPhytic acid is the major storage form for phosphorus in the cereal grains. It exists in the form of mixed salts of Ca–Mg–K (i.e. phytate), and occurs in many locations within the kernel. This form of phosphorus is not available to monogastric animals, including humans, because they lack the enzyme phytase in their digestive tract. In order to permit a better understanding of the functions and heritability of phytic acid, a literature search was conducted to review the development of procedures for the determination of phytic acid. Starting from a basic method of precipitation as insoluble ferric phytate in acid solution, the techniques for the determination of phytic acid have progressed through many kinds of instrumental methods such as colorimetric, synchronous fluorescence, isotachophoresis, high‐performance ionic chromatography, and high‐performance liquid chromatography.
Thermal resistance of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris spores in different heating media
Authors: Ceviz Gulin , Tulek Yahya , Con Ahmet Hilmi 
Published: August 2009

SummaryThe aim of this work was to study the influence of temperature (85, 90, 95 and 100 °C), total soluble solids (SS: 10 and 20°Brix or % by weight of sucrose) and pH (3.5 and 4.0) on decimal reduction time (D‐value) of the Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris strain DSM2498 spores in apple juice, orange juice and malt extract broth (MEB). The effects of SS and pH on D‐values and z‐values in each media were insignificant (P > 0.05). In apple juice, orange juice and MEB, z‐values of A. acidoterrestris for pH 3.5 and pH 4.0 were 12.2 ± 1.3–14.2 ± 3.2 °C, 11.2 ± 0.3–9.4 ± 0.0 °C and 11.9 ± 0.8–10.3 ± 0.4 °C, respectively. z‐values of apple juice, orange juice and MEB samples with SS = 10°Brix and SS = 20°Brix were 14.1 ± 3.2–12.2 ± 1.3 °C, 10.2 ± 0.7–10.5 ± 1.1 °C and 11.3 ± 1.5–10.9 ± 0.2 °C, respectively. However, D‐values of all samples were affected by temperature significantly (P < 0.01). Average D‐values of apple juice, orange juice and MEB were 101.2 ± 14.7, 34.4 ± 7.9, 20.3 ± 4.9 and 4.3 ± 1.3 min for 85, 90, 95 and 100 °C. This study demonstrated that A. acidoterrestris spores exhibited high resistance to thermal processing applications. pH and SS of the media did not affect thermal resistance.
Determination of unprocessed genetically modified soybean in foods using simplex and duplex real‐time PCR with an internal standard
Authors: Harikai Naoki , Saito Shin , Tanaka Atsuko , Kinoshita Kenji 
Published: August 2009

SummaryWe developed a method using an internal standard to determine the amount of unprocessed genetically modified organisms (GMO) in foods as GMO weight per weight of total food (w/wtf) using real‐time PCR. Food samples were spiked with an internal standard, a ColE1 plasmid, and DNA was extracted from the samples using a silica membrane‐type kit and analysed using real‐time PCR. The relationship between the GMO amount and the copy number ratio of the transgene to ColE1 in 0.1–5% w/wtf GM soybean powders was found to have a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.97. GMO was quantified in food samples spiked with GM soybean (final amount 0.5% w/wtf GMO). The average GMO amount ranged from 0.35% to 0.63% w/wtf. The results show that our method should be useful for quantifying unprocessed GMO in foods. We also developed a duplex assay, which is simpler and more accurate than the simplex assay.
Flavour profiles of low‐fat comminuted sausages as affected by the addition of various sugars in combined with 0.1 m lysine
Authors: Park Sung Y. , Yoo Seung S. , Chin Koo B. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryThe study was performed to evaluate the flavour profiles of low‐fat comminuted sausage (LFS) as affected by the addition of various concentrations of glucose, fructose and sucrose combined with 0.1 m lysine. Among thirty‐five volatile compounds, the concentrations of furfural, 2‐furan methanol, 2‐methoxy phenol, 2‐methoxy‐4‐methyl phenol, myristicine and pentadecanal occupied approximately 60% of the total concentration of volatile compounds identified in full‐ and low‐fat smoked sausages. Phenols and hetero‐compounds derived mainly from the smoking process were the predominant chemical groups. Nine volatile compounds were affected by fat content and the reduction of fat predominantly increased the headspace concentration of myristicin and pentadecanal. The headspace concentration of total volatile compounds detected in LFS control was significantly higher than those of LFS treatments with the various sugars and lysine. The headspace concentration of most volatile compounds decreased with the addition of various sugars. The results indicate that the addition of glucose, fructose and sucrose at the concentrations higher than 0.05 m in combination with 0.1 m lysine delays the release of some flavour compounds in LFS.
Ultrasonic assisted alkali extraction of protein from defatted rice bran and properties of the protein concentrates
Authors: Chittapalo Thutiyaporn , Noomhorm Athapol 
Published: August 2009

SummaryAlkaline extraction for the preparation of protein concentrate from rice bran was compared with a range of ultrasonic treatments. Results revealed that the extraction time decreased, and the reaction rate constant increased, with increasing ultrasonic power. The reaction rate constants were 0.0065, 0.0130, 0.0237 and 0.0924 at 40, 60, 80 and 100 W respectively. The defatted rice bran protein concentrate (DRBPC) using ultrasonication (100 W for 5 min) and conventional methods showed no significant difference in bulk densities (P > 0.05) but it had higher yield (%) and was lighter brown using ultrasonication (P ≤ 0.05). The SEM showed that the residual rice bran after extracting protein using ultrasonication exhibited more damage than the conventional method. The functional properties of both samples were not significantly different (P > 0.05) in terms of foam and emulsifying stability. However, the water and oil absorption, foam capacity and emulsion activity were significantly different (P ≤ 0.05). The nitrogen solubility index of both DRBPC samples gave similar profiles with the lowest solubility at pH 4–6.
Genetic structure and evolution of Alpine polyploid complexes: Ranunculus kuepferi (Ranunculaceae) as a case study
Authors: BURNIER J. , BUERKI S. , ARRIGO N. , KÜPFER P. , ALVAREZ N. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe alpine white‐flowered buttercup, Ranunculus kuepferi Greuter & Burdet, is a polyploid complex with diploids endemic to the southwestern Alps and polyploids – which have been previously described as apomictic – widespread throughout European mountains. Due to the polymorphic status of both its ploidy level and its reproductive mode, R. kuepferi represents a key species for understanding the evolution of polyploid lineages in alpine habitats. To disentangle the phylogeography of this polyploid taxon, we used cpDNA sequences and AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) markers in 33 populations of R. kuepferi representative of its ploidy level and distribution area. Polyploid individuals were shown to be the result of at least two polyploidization events that may have taken place in the southwestern Alps. From this region, one single main migration of tetraploids colonized the entire Alpine range, the Apennines and Corsica. Genetic recombination among tetraploids was also observed, revealing the facultative nature of the apomictic reproductive mode in R. kuepferi polyploids. Our study shows the contrasting role played by diploid lineages mostly restricted to persistent refugia and by tetraploids, whose dispersal abilities have permitted their range extension all over the previously glaciated Alpine area and throughout neighbouring mountain massifs.