bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF HEAT PENETRATION DATA USING REMOTE SENSORS AND NEEDLE OR ROD‐IN‐TUBE THERMOCOUPLES
Authors: AWUAH G.B. , KHURANA A. , WEDDIG L.M. , BALESTRINI C.G. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT Using 5% w/v bentonite suspension as model food, studies were conducted to evaluate the performance of internally mounted remote sensors relative to thermocouples in 300 × 407 cans. These studies were done to essentially evaluate the impact of remote sensors on heat penetration parameters, mainly jh (the lag factor) and fh (the heating rate index), for different retort rpm, container headspace (HS) and mode of agitation in FMC's Steritort (FMC Food Tech, Madera, CA) and/or the Allpax R&D retort (Model 2402, Covington, LA). The criterion used for evaluating the performance of the sensors was the Ball process time (Bb), which combines both jh and fh. Generally, some variations in heat penetration data were observed between remote sensor types and thermocouples. With some exceptions, calculated mean Bb values for the remote sensors and thermocouples were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). The exceptions depended on the remote sensor type and mode of container agitation, but generally, variations in measured parameters from that of the reference thermocouple were attributed to container HS, retort rpm, sensor configuration and mounting fixture design. For axial agitation in the Steritort using 300 × 407 two‐piece cans, the average Ball process times were generally higher (i.e., longer process times) for thermocouples compared to the remote sensors with the percentage difference ranging from 2 to 7%. The range was 2 to 8% for end‐over‐end agitation with water immersion, and 1 to 6% for still cook in steam using the Allpax R&D retort using 300 × 407 three‐piece cans. Given the unusually high percentage differences found for some of the experimental conditions, caution must be exercised in using these variations as correction factors in adjusting remote sensor data without a thorough understanding of the behavior and interaction of that specific sensor with HS and retort rpm.
OPTIMIZING ELECTRON BEAM IRRADIATION OF “TOMMY ATKINS” MANGOES (MANGIFERA INDICA L.)
Authors: MORENO MARIA A. , CASTELL‐PEREZ M. ELENA , GOMES CARMEN , DA SILVA PAULO F. , KIM JONGSOON , MOREIRA ROSANA G. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT We determined the optimum irradiation treatment for decontamination of physiologically mature fresh “Tommy Atkins” mangoes, without detriment to the fruits' sensory and chemical properties. Mangoes were irradiated at 1.0, 1.5 and 3.1 kGy using a 10‐MeV linear accelerator (14‐kW LINAC, double beam mode). Mangoes were stored for 21 days at 12C and 62.7% relative humidity with nonirradiated fruits as controls. Dose distribution within the fruit was determined using Monte Carlo techniques. Irradiation did not affect the overall sensory quality of mangoes at doses up to 1.5 kGy. Only fruits irradiated at 3.1 kGy were unacceptable by the panelists. Irradiation at 3.1 kGy enhanced the fruit's aroma characteristics. Irradiation at all levels caused a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease (∼50–70%) in ascorbic acid content by the end of storage. Mangoes irradiated at 1.5 and 3.1 kGy had slightly higher levels of phenolics than the control (27.4 and 18.3%, respectively). E‐beam irradiation of Tommy Atkins mangoes up to 3.0 kGy causes no detriment to the fruit's overall sensory and chemical quality.
THE EFFECT OF ENZYMATIC MASH TREATMENT, PRESSING, CENTRIFUGATION, HOMOGENIZATION, DEAERATION, STERILIZATION AND STORAGE ON CARROT JUICE
Authors: LIAO HONGMEI , SUN YING , NI YUANYING , LIAO XIAOJUN , HU XIAOSONG , WU JIHONG , CHEN FANG 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT The enzyme preparation Pectinex Smash XXL was employed to macerate the carrot pulp, the effect of enzymatic mash treatment (EMT), pressing, centrifugation, homogenization, deaeration, sterilization and storage on carrot juice was investigated. As compared with the control sample, an increase of juice yield, total soluble solid (TSS) and carotenoids in carrot juice was close to 20%, 1% and 26 mg/kg, respectively, after EMT. The EMT also increased the color parameters CIEL*, a*and C*values in carrot juice. However, it significantly decreased the viscosity from 2.54 to 2.09 mPa·s. The centrifugation resulted in a significant decline in turbidity from 240.33 to 187.33 NTU and a significant increase in the color parameters in carrot juice. After homogenization, the turbidity and the carotenoids in carrot juice were significantly reduced from 187.33 to 161.67 NTU and from 61.87 to 58.76 mg/kg, respectively. The turbidity and carotenoids in carrot juice decreased during storage, and all the color parameters had a closer relationship with storage temperature and time; higher storage temperature and longer storage time caused greater loss of color.
ACCELERATED SOLVENT EXTRACTION AND FRACTIONED EXTRACTION TO OBTAIN THE CURCUMA LONGA VOLATILE OIL AND OLEORESIN
Authors: BRAGA MARA E.M. , MEIRELES M. ANGELA A. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTCurcuma longa L. is a common species among the aromatic plants in Brazil. The roots are used in dairy food as colorant and flavoring substitute for saffron. Turmeric (C. longa L.) contains curcuminoids that have antimutagenic and antioxidant activities, and is thus used for the formulation of foods for the prevention of cancer. Turmeric extracts rich in curcuminoids were obtained using a mixture of CO2 and EtOH/IsoC3, and the assays were performed in a fixed bed extractor at 300 bar, 303 K. The bed's height effect was studied, maintaining constant the bed diameter and porosity; for the accelerated solvent extraction, the cosolvent percentages used were 10, 50 and 90% (v/v), with or without a static period of 30 min. The curcuminoid content was monitored using a spectrophotometer; the volatile oil was analyzed by gas chromatography‐flame ionization detector, and the extract chemical profile was observed by thin‐layer chromatography. The overall extraction curves showed that by keeping the relation between solvent and raw material constant, maximum extraction yield was obtained in a shorter time using the lowest bed height (HB/DB = 1.8). The supercritical fluid extraction using 50% of the cosolvent that employed the static period increased the curcuminoid content (0.72% of curcuminoids) and reached ∼10% of extract yield.
Influence of the surface on thrombin generation
Authors: STIEF T. W. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryThrombin generation depends on the surface of the blood vessel or container. With a new ultra‐sensitive and ‐specific thrombin assay the surface‐dependent thrombin generation was quantified. Citrated blood or plasma was preincubated for 1 h (37 °C). Citrated blood, plasma, or plasma with 0–10 g/l hemoglobin–erythrocyte microparticles (Hb–MP) were preincubated at 23 °C or at 37 °C. Plasma samples (50 μl) were recalcified in polystyrol (PS) wells and incubated for different coagulation reaction times (CRT). Final supramolar arginine concentrations, 0.1% Triton X 100, and chromogenic thrombin substrate concentrations in the onefold km–range were added and the linear ΔA/t was measured in the recalcified coagulation activity assay (RECA). Aprotinin or corn trypsin inhibitor were added. (i) Recalcification of plasma (in different monovettes) pre‐incubated for 1 h (37 °C) generated the following thrombin activities after 7 min (37 °C): 0.74 IU/ml (polypropylene (PP)‐citrate), 0.39 IU/ml (PP‐EDTA), 0.06 IU/ml (PP‐heparin), 1.38 IU/ml (PS), 0.63 IU/ml (1 ml volume PP), 0.13 IU/ml (15 ml volume PP), and 3.62 IU/ml (glass). (ii) Recalcification of preincubated whole blood generated up to about fivefold more thrombin. (iii) Thrombin generation is proportional to the plasmatic concentration of Hb–MP, 10 g/l Hb–MP generating about 4 IU/ml thrombin within 20 min CRT. (iv) The IC50 of aprotinin and corn typsin inhibitor on thrombin generation in RECA are about 2 KIU/ml and about 1 U/ml, respectively. The reaction wall, the preincubation temperature, and hemolysis influences thrombin generation. The RECA allows to diagnose the prothrombotic capacity of any material.
Reference limits and behaviour of serum transferrin receptor in children 6–10 years of age
Authors: DANISE P. , MACONI M. , MORELLI G. , DI PALMA A. , RESCIGNO G. , ESPOSITO C. , AVINO D. , TALENTO B. 
Published: July 2007

SummarySerum transferrin receptor (sTfR) originates mostly from erythroblasts and lesser from reticulocytes. The usefulness of sTfR has been implicated in several clinical situations, mainly as a marker of accelerated erythropoiesis or iron deficiency. The assessment of sTfR may be useful in the period of rapid growth during infancy, childhood and adolescence. We evaluated sTfR and the other quantitative and qualitative parameters of the erythropoiesis (Hb, MCV, CHr, Ret‐He) and of the iron storage (serum ferritin, sTfR/ferritin index) in a total of 916 children aged 6–10 years. Children were divided into three groups: (A) healthy children, (B) with storage iron deficiency (serum ferritin < 12 μg/l) and (C) Beta trait carriers (HbA2 > 3.3). We determined reference intervals by sex and by age in healthy children . sTfR showed a slight but statistically significant age related increase but did not show significant sex differences. We compared sTfR and the other parameters investigated in the three groups of children. sTfR is not a decisive parameter that can be utilized alone in discriminating the border‐line situations between normal and pathologic ones but can help in completing the panel of tests in iron deficiency and in thalassaemia Beta trait carriers.
THE MEASUREMENT OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS IN SOUTH AFRICA USING COHORT ANALYSIS, 1994‐20041
Authors: Branson Nicola , Wittenberg Martin 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWe analyse trends in employment, unemployment and labour force participation by simple graphical techniques, using all the October Household Surveys and the September Labour Force Surveys. We show that African male employment in 1995 seems high, when compared to all the other surveys. Furthermore much of the increase in African female labour force participation is concentrated in the period 1998 to 2000, which suggests that measurement and sampling changes may be partially responsible for the trend. We track cohorts of individuals over the eleven years for which we have data. We show that young people are leaving school earlier, while being better educated than their elders. They are not, however, being absorbed into employment at a faster rate. This has led to a spike in youth unemployment.
SOURCES OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN SUB‐SAHARAN AFRICA1
Authors: Ahmed Abdullahi D , Suardi Sandy 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper provides some empirical evidence on the sources of growth in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Within the classical convergence framework, several macroeconomic, socio and political factors are identified as affecting the steady state growth paths of the SSA countries. The rejection of the constant technology growth rate assumption implied by the linearised Solow‐Swan growth specification suggests differences in the economies' technology growth rates. An endogenous technology growth model is estimated to measure contributions of diminishing returns and technology transfer to the rate of conditional convergence in the region. The results carry important policy implications for improving the standard of living and economic growth rate of African countries.
FORECASTING RECESSION IN SOUTH AFRICA: A COMPARISON OF THE YIELD CURVE AND OTHER ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Authors: Khomo Melvin Muzi , Aziakpono Meshach Jesse 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe paper uses the standard probit model proposed by Estrella and Mishkin (1996), as well as the modified probit model suggested by Dueker (1997), to examine the ability of the yield curve to predict recessions in South Africa, and compares its predictive power with other commonly used variables such as the growth rate of real money supply, changes in stock prices and the index of leading economic indicators. Compared with other indicators, real M3 growth does not provide much information about future recessions, whilst movements in the All‐Share index provide information for up to 12 months but do not do better than the yield curve. The index of leading economic indicators outperforms the yield spread in the short run up to 4 months but the yield spread performs better at longer horizons.
THE ROLE OF COMMODITY PRICES IN MACROECONOMIC POLICY IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Ocran Matthew Kofi , Biekpe Nicholas 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper examines whether commodity prices can be used as signal for informing macroeconomic policy in South Africa using the new approach for testing Granger causality developed by Toda and Yamamoto (1995). Evidence of causality from average gold price to interest rate, money, exchange rate and the consumer price index was observed. Again, evidence of causality was observed from metals price index to interest rate, money and exchange rate. The results suggest there is merit in using South Africa's average gold price and the metals price index of the International Monetary Fund as informational variables in setting monetary policy.
Diabetes Education Needs of Family Members Caring for American Indian Elders
Authors: Hennessy Catherine Hagen , John Robert , Anderson Lynda A. 
Published: July 2007

PURPOSE this qualitative study investigated diabetes care management among family members of American Indian elders with self-care limitations. Focus groups were used to examine the reasons for and content of diabetes care management, the challenges faced, and the support services needed. METHODS Five focus groups were conducted with family caregivers from six tribes. Caregivers' responses related to care management were identified and categorized into themes. RESULTS Participants reported that they provided assistance with a wide range of diabetes care tasks (eg, skin and wound care, in-home dialysis) depending on the elder's level of impairment. Caregivers described three major challenges related to diabetes care management: (1) anxiety about in-home care, (2) coping with psychosocial issues, and (3) decision making and communication problems with other family members. They emphasized the importance of developing a care routine for successful diabetes management. CONCLUSIONS Based on these findings, we suggest areas where diabetes educators can assist American Indian family caregivers in meeting the needs of frail elders in the home.
Analysis of tapered, adhesively bonded, insulated rail joints
Authors: Plaut R H , Lohse-Busch H , Eckstein A , Lambrecht S , Dillard D A 
Published: July 2007

Adhesively bonded insulated rail joints are used to electrically isolate sections of track into discrete blocks to detect the positions of trains, and are sometimes useful in detecting rail breaks. Recent advances in high-strength rails allow for the use of higher-weight cars. With this increased axle loading of the freight lines, bonded rail joints are encountering early breakdown through either electrical or mechanical failure. Service lives as short as 12-18 months have been reported on some rail lines, significantly lower than the lifetime of other railway components. The cost of replacing the joints has significantly increased the desire for a joint with improved durability. Commercially available bonded rail joints are typically double butt-strap joints consisting of two steel reinforcing joint bars, bonded to the rails with an epoxy adhesive that may contain a fibreglass or aramid cloth layer. This paper investigates a tapered bonded joint that was proposed to reduce the high stresses that can result in the more typical butt-strap joint configuration. The first type of analysis models the rails and joint bars as beams, and the adhesive and ground as distributed elastic springs. Approximate solutions are obtained with the use of the Rayleigh-Ritz method. The finite-element method is used in the second type of analysis. Deflections, bending moments, and stresses are obtained. Based on these analyses, tapered insulated joints should provide some advantages over conventional insulated rail joints, such as lower deflections, bending moments, and shear stresses in the adhesive.
A Green Chemical Synthesis of 2-Alkylbenzimidazoles from 1,2-Phenylenediamine and Propylene Glycol, or Alcohols Mediated by Ag–TiO2/Clay Composite Photocatalyst
Authors: Selvam K , Swaminathan M 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Benzimidazole derivatives were synthesized in good yield from 1,2-phenylenediamine (PD) and various alcohols by photocatalytic cyclization with TiO2/acidic clay composite catalyst using UV–A and solar light. Doping silver on TiO2 enhances product yield and selectivity of the photocatalytic synthesis of benzimidazoles. The higher efficiency of nano-Ag-doped TiO2 in solar light makes this synthesis a green chemical process.
A Novel Process to Prepare Magnetic Polymer Microspheres
Authors: Yang Jian , Bi CaiXia , Su ZhiGuo , Ma GuangHui 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
A new process for preparation of magnetic microspheres was investigated. In this process, the formation and the encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles were accomplished in one step. The magnetic polymer microspheres exhibited superparamagnetic property and had a spherical shape with a smooth surface. This method can be used to prepare inorganic and organic composite particle when the inorganic particles can be prepared by chemical coprecipitation reaction.
Physicochemical Properties of the Co3O4/Al2O3, Ag2O/Al2O3 and Ag2O-Co3O4/Al2O3 Systems and Their Catalytic Activities towards Acid-Base and Redox Reactions
Authors: El-Sharkawy E.A. , Al-Shihry Shar S. , Youssef A.M. 
Published: July 2007

A Co3O4/Al2O3 catalyst containing 0.20 mol% Co3O4 and an Ag2O/Al2O3 catalyst containing 0.2 mol% Ag2O were prepared using the impregnation method. Co3O4–Ag2O/Al2O3 samples containing 0.2 mol% Co3O4 and varying small molar percentages of Ag2O were also prepared. Portions from the catalysts thus obtained were calcined at 773, 973 and 1173 K. The textural properties of the catalysts were determined from the adsorption of N2 at 77 K, while their structural properties were investigated using TG, DTA, XRD and TPR techniques. The surface acidities of the catalysts were determined via titration with n-butylamine in a non-aqueous medium. The conversion of propan-2-ol at 573 K was followed using the micro-catalytic pulse technique, whereas the decomposition of H2O2 at 298–313 K was followed by determining the volume of oxygen released with time. Solid-solid interactions between the components of the systems resulted in the formation of Co3O4 and CoAl2O4, their ratio depending on the chemical composition and heat-treatment temperature employed with Ag in its metallic form. The textural properties of the investigated catalysts also depended on the chemical composition and calcination temperature. The surface acidity of the catalysts is an important factor in determining their catalytic activity towards the conversion of propan-2-ol whereas the redox-reactive ion-pairs formed between Ag and Co determine their activity towards H2O2 decomposition.
Persistence of the U. S.-Mexico Border: Expansion of Medical-Tourism amid Trade Liberalization
Authors: Judkins Gabriel 
Published: July 2007

Recent free-trade rhetoric asserts that political and economic trade liberalization agreements diminish the effect of international borders and result in widespread land-use and land-cover change. Some suggest that this trend portends the minimization of distance and geography as factors influencing change in human-environment relations. This research questions these assertions through an examination of the burgeoning border trade in medical-tourism. Trade based on medical-tourism is defined primarily by a persistence of the border as an economic and social barrier, allowing the juxtaposition of difference in geographic proximity. The rapid growth of medical-tourism along the U.S.-Mexico border indicates that in spite of decades of free-trade agreements including NAFTA, the border remains intact with regard to the medical services industry. The function, reach and urban land-use changes related to this trade are explored through a case study approach of Los Algodones, Mexico. Ciertas discusiones recientes sobre libre comercio argumentan que la liberalización política y económica disminuye el efecto de las fronteras internacionales y provoca grandes cambios tanto en uso como en cobertura de suelo. Algunos investigadores sugieren que esta tendencia presagia la reducción de la distancia y la geografía como factores que influencian el cambio en las relaciones ser humano-ambiente. La presente investigación cuestiona tales enunciados mediante un análisis del creciente comercio trans-fronterizo asociado con el turismo de servicios médicos. La actividad comercial generada por el turismo de servicios médicos se define principalmente por la existencia de la frontera como barrera social y económica, permitiendo la yuxtaposición de la diferencia en la proximidad geográfica. El rápido crecimiento del turismo de servicios médicos en la frontera México-Estados Unidos indica que, sin importar décadas de tratados de libre comercio entre los que figura el TLCAN, la frontera permanece intacta en lo que respecta a la industria de servicios médicos. La función, alcance y cambios en uso de suelo urbano relacionados con este comercio son explorados a través de un caso de estudio en Los Algodones, Baja California, México.
Numerical Analysis of Rectangular Plate with Symmetric Edge Cracks and Edge Half-Circular Hole Cracks in Tension
Authors: Yan Xiangqiao 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
This paper is concerned with the stress intensity factors (SIFs) of a rectangular plate with symmetric edge cracks and edge half-circular-hole cracks in tension (see Figs. 1 and 2) by using the displacement discontinuity method with crack-tip elements (a boundary element method) proposed recently by the author. It is found that the boundary element method is simple, yet accurate for calculating the SIFs of complex crack problems not only in infinite plate [1] but also in finite plate [2]. Specifically, detail solutions of the SIFs of the two plane elastic crack problems are given, which can reveal the effect of H/W on the SIFs. By comparing the calculated SIFs of the symmetric edge half-circular-hole cracks (Fig. 2) with those of the symmetric edge cracks (Fig. 1); in addition, a shielding effect of the half-circular hole on the SIFs of the symmetric edge half-circular-hole cracks are discussed in detail.
Methodology for Evaluating Candidate Geometric Reference Scaffolds
Authors: Dunkers Joy P. , Leigh Stefan D. , Dean David , Cooke Malcolm N. , Ketcham Richard A. , Cicerone Marcus T. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Along with the ASTM Division IV subcommittee on Tissue Engineered Medical Products, the National Institute of Standards and Technology is developing a geometric reference scaffold. This paper describes the methodology applied to the three different types of candidate reference scaffolds to quantify their structure and rank them according to quality metrics. In this work, we detail this methodology using the candidate reference scaffold produced by stereolithography. We perform X-ray micro-computed tomography on three of the manufactured scaffolds and compute total porosity, pore size distribution, and pore length for each. We compare these quantities to those of the model scaffold using statistical measures of variational distance, relative uncertainty, and uniformity. Through this evaluation, we find that the scaffold produced by stereolithography agrees well with its model and merits further consideration as a reference scaffold.