bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ASSESSING COHESIVENESS OF MASS IN FOODS USING AN ELECTRONIC SENSING SYSTEM
Authors: CARSON LIN , SUN XIUZHI , SETSER CAROLE , PENG YANKUN 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTThe cohesiveness of mass of a model cake system was studied using an electronic sensing system (ESS). Descending energy (DE) of the ESS signal contributed to the cohesiveness of mass measurement. Because of confounding effects between hardness and cohesiveness of mass on the ESS signals, hardness index, product of ESS total energy, peak energy, and fourier power, was included in the ESS cohesiveness of mass calculations, resulting in higher correlations with sensory evaluation for all ESS panelists (r ≥ 0.83). When ESS was applied to the cohesiveness of mass for commercial breads, correlations with sensory analysis values were r ≥ 0.62. Correlations were weak for ESS and sensory analysis data for foods with a large range of textures.
EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND ORAL PERCEPTION ON TRANSIT SPEED AND PASSING TIME OF SEMILIQUID FOODS FROM THE MID‐PHARYNX TO THE HYPOPHARYNX
Authors: TAKAHASHI TOMOKO , NITOU TAKAHARU , TAYAMA NIRO , KAWANO AKI , OGOSHI HIRO 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTThe results of two sensory analyses, using healthy young individuals as assessors and semiliquid foods with markedly different physical properties as samples, were compared. One analysis required the assessors to perceive the food texture by oral perception alone and to use it as a basis for predicting the ease of swallowing of the bolus samples (i. e., the mobility of the samples through the pharynx) without actually swallowing the samples. The other analysis required the assessors to evaluate the mobility of the bolus samples through the pharynx, by actually swallowing them. Comparison of the results implied that human beings predict how easy it is to swallow a bolus (i. e., the mobility of the bolus through the pharynx) by perceiving in the oral cavity the texture of the food. Examinations were also made on the relationship between the evaluation of mobility of the bolus through the pharynx obtained by sensory analyses, and the transit speed and passing time of the bolus samples obtained by videomanofluorography. It was recognized that the front end speed was fast for semiliquid food samples that were soft and easy to swallow (and therefore easy to move through the pharynx), whereas the front end speed was slow for semiliquid food samples that were hard and difficult to swallow (and therefore perceived as being difficult to move through the pharynx.) These findings suggest that human beings’ perception of the ease of swallowing of semiliquid food is closely related to the front end speed of the bolus. No significant difference was found among samples, either in the tail end speed of the bolus samples, or in the passing time from the front end to the tail end of the bolus samples. These results imply that, through some kind of swallowing efforts, healthy individuals are controlling the passing time through the pharynx of boluses with markedly diflerent physical properties, so that the time remains constant.
PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF TEXTURIZED MEAT ANALOG MADE FROM PEANUT FLOUR AND SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE WITH A SINGLE‐SCREW EXTRUDER 1
Authors: PARMER E.L. , WANG B. , AGLAN H.A. , MORTLEY D. 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to establish conditions for the texturization of soy protein isolate and peanut flour mixture using a single‐screw extruder. The effects of feed moisture, screw‐speed, and barrel temperature on the characteristics of the texturized products were studied. Feed moisture was the most important factor affecting the texture. Feeding ingredients with 22% moisture had the highest water absorption and expansion indices, and Hunter L value (P < 0.05). When the screw speed was above 180 RPM, the meat analog had a 12% decrease in the expansion index and a 5% decrease in moisture content (P < 0.05). When the barrel temperature was increased to 165C, there was a 12% decrease in the water absorption index, and a 23% decrease in the expansion index of the meat analogs (P < 0.05). Overall, an acceptable meat analog could be successfully produced with 22% moisture in the raw ingredient, screw speed at 140 RPM, and barrel temperatures at 150, 155, and 160C for the three temperature zones respectively.
PREDICTION OF APPLE FRUIT FIRMNESS BY NEAR‐INFRARED MULTISPECTRAL SCATTERING1
Authors: LU RENFU 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTThe objective of this research was to predict fruit firmness by developing and evaluating a multispectral imaging system for real time acquisition of scattering images from apple fruit. A circular broadband light beam was used to generate light backscattering at the surface of apple fruit and scattering images were acquired, using a common aperture multispectral imaging system, from Red Delicious apple fruit for wavelengths at 680, 880, 905, and 940 nm. Scattering images were reduced to produce one‐dimensional spectral scattering profiles by radial averaging, which were then input into a backpropagation neural network for predicting apple fruit firmness. The neural network performed best when 10 neurons and 20 epochs were used. With three ratios of spectral profiles involving all four wavelengths, the neural network gave firmness predictions with the correlation of 0.76 and the standard error of 6.2 N for the validation samples.
EVALUATION OF THE TEXTURE OF FRIED POTATOES
Authors: PEDRESCHI FRANCO , SEGNINI SANDRA , DEJMEK PETR 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT Texture of potatoes with different shapes (slices and strips) were evaluated after frying and in some cases after baking. Blanched and unblanched potato slices (Bintje variety) were fried at four oil temperatures: 160, 170, 180 and 190C until reaching a moisture content of ∼1.7%. A puncture test with three point support for the slices was applied to measure the texture of potato chips using the following parameters extracted from the force versus distance curves: maximum force of break (MFB) and deformation of break (DB). These two parameters were useful to follow the changes in texture of the fried slices with moisture content at different frying temperatures. Blanched and unblanched potato strips were partially fried at 160C and 190C for 60, 90 and 120 s. The par‐fried potatoes were frozen at ‐20C for one day after which they were baked at 200C for 15 min. The texture of the baked potato strips was evaluated using a bending test with two support points. From the force versus distance curves, two parameters were extracted: maximum force of deformation (MFD) and maximum deformation (MD). Significant higher MFB and lower DB values (P > 0.1) for unblanched fried slices indicate that these are crispier than blanched chips for moisture contents lower than 4% (6.59 N and 0.62 mm vs 5.74 N and vs 0.75 mm for unblanched and blanched chips, respectively, average values for the four frying temperatures employed). There was no effect of the frying temperature and the pretreatment (blanching or unblanching) on the texture of the frozen par‐fried potatoes after baking when compared at the same residual moisture content, but blanched potato strips lost moisture more slowly both in frying and in baking.
CHANGES IN VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES DURING THE RIPENING OF ARZÚA‐ULLOA CHEESE. EFFECT OF PROTEOLYSIS
Authors: TOVAR C.A. , FRANCO I. , RIVEIRO Y. , ROMANÍ L. , CARBALLO J. 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTChanges in viscoelastic properties during the ripening of three different batches of Arzúa‐Ulloa cheese, a traditional Spanish variety, were studied. Proteolysis changes were determined in terms of the typical nitrogen fractions, these fractions were significantly correlated with the measured viscoelastic properties. Substantial changes in stress amplitude over the linear viscoelastic range were observed at 20C, as were significant differences in storage modulus (G′) and viscous modulus (G″) throughout the ripening period. Both moduli decreased markedly over the first two weeks, but exhibited an opposite trend from the third week. Mechanical spectra were recorded at 20, 25, 30 and 35C throughout the ripening period. The viscous component significantly increased compared to the elastic one as function of temperature and ripening time.
A Market, Operation, and Mission Assessment of Large Rural For‐Profit Hospitals With Positive Cash Flow
Authors: McCue Michael J. 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT:
Context: National benchmark data for 2002 indicate that large rural for‐profit hospitals have a median cash flow margin of 19.5% compared to 9.2% for their nonprofit counterparts. Purpose: This study aims to gain insight regarding the driving factors behind the high cash flow performance of large rural for‐profit hospitals. Methods: Using 3 annual periods of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid cost report data with the last fiscal year ending between September 30, 2002, and August 30, 2003, the study found a cash flow margin of 21.5% for the large rural for‐profit hospitals. All these facilities were owned by hospital management companies. To assess their underlying market, operational, and mission factors, these hospitals were compared to a similar comparison group of large rural nonprofit hospitals that are system owned and have positive cash flows. Findings: Using logistic regression analysis, the study found lower operating expense per adjusted discharge and salary expense as a percentage of total operating expense among large rural for‐profit, system‐owned hospitals with positive cash flows relative to nonprofits with similar traits. Conclusion: Overall, the findings of this study reflect how these for‐profit hospitals, which are owned by hospital management companies, focus on controlling their labor costs as well as operating costs per discharge in order to achieve a greater positive cash flow position.
Factors in Recruiting and Retaining Health Professionals for Rural Practice
Authors: Daniels Zina M. , VanLeit Betsy J. , Skipper Betty J. , Sanders Margaret L. , Rhyne Robert L. 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT:
Context: Rural communities, often with complex health care issues, have difficulty creating and sustaining an adequate health professional workforce. Purpose: To identify factors associated with rural recruitment and retention of graduates from a variety of health professional programs in the southwestern United States. Methods: A survey collecting longitudinal data was mailed to graduates from 12 health professional programs in New Mexico. First rural and any rural employment since graduation were outcomes for univariate analyses. Multivariate analysis that controlled for extraneous variables explored factors important to those who took a first rural position, stayed rural, or changed practice locations. Findings: Of 1,396 surveys delivered, response rate was 59%. Size of childhood town, rural practicum completion, discipline, and age at graduation were associated with rural practice choice (P < .05). Those who first practiced in rural versus urban areas were more likely to view the following factors as important to their practice decision: community need, financial aid, community size, return to hometown, and rural training program participation (P < .05). Those remaining rural versus moving away were more likely to consider community size and return to hometown as important (P < .05). Having enough work available, income potential, professional opportunity, and serving community health needs were important to all groups. Conclusion: Rural background and preference for smaller sized communities are associated with both recruitment and retention. Loan forgiveness and rural training programs appear to support recruitment. Retention efforts must focus on financial incentives, professional opportunity, and desirability of rural locations.
Gender Differences in Rural and Urban Practice Location Among Mid‐level Health Care Providers
Authors: Lindsay Sally 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT:
Context: Mid‐level providers comprise an increasing proportion of the health care workforce and play a key role in providing health services in rural and underserved areas. Although women comprise the majority of mid‐level providers, they are less likely to work in a rural area than men. Maldistribution of health providers between urban and rural practices is an important issue influencing health care. Purpose: To gain further insight into this issue, this study examined how mid‐level practice location varied by gender. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 55 nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurse anesthetists in New York State and Pennsylvania. Findings: Results suggest that family and community ties played a key role in influencing practice location. Men were particularly drawn to the broad scope of practice and autonomous nature of rural practice. Women in rural areas enjoyed the more personable environment and greater respect from colleagues and patients. Both male and female rural providers preferred their location because there were fewer turf issues, while some women were concerned about being professionally isolated. Meanwhile, both men and women enjoyed the fast pace, specialization, and greater opportunities urban areas had to offer. Conclusions: Recruitment efforts should focus on candidates from rural areas and not underestimate the impact of family in decisions about work location.
Career Analysis: the Missing Link In Managerial Assessment and Development
Authors: Jacobs Robin , Bolton Robert 
Published: February 2007

Robin Jacobs and Robert Bolton argue that, although competency‐based assessment methods have improved the haphazard management development practices of the past, they nonetheless provide an incomplete picture for improving performance and developing potential. They suggest that self‐development through a career planning framework might provide the missing link and present a case study in this area based on their work in the Nationwide Building Society.Robin Jacobs is a Lecturer in Management at the Open University Business School as well as one of the directors of Transitions Limited, and Robert Bolton is Human Resources Manager at the Nationwide Building Society.
Strategy, Structure and Control In the Changing Corporation: A Survey‐Based Investigation
Authors: Marginson Paul , Edwards P.K. , Armstrong Peter , Purcell John 
Published: February 2007

Paul Marginson, Paul Edwards, Peter Armstrong and John Purcell draw on the findings of IRRU's Company Level Industrial Relations Survey to investigate the business structure, budgetary control systems and strategic orientations of large companies in the UK. Companies’ internal structure, and their systems of budgetary control, are shown to be associated with the kind of diversification strategy they are pursuing. Both external change, such as acquisition, and organic change are widespread across all types of firm as is the consequent internal reorganisation. They discuss the implications of the different strategic orientations and structural arrangements, and the rapidity of organisational change, for human resource policy.Paul Marginson and Paul Edwards are respectively Senior Lecturer and Professor of Industrial Relations at the Warwick Business School and Associate Fellow and Deputy Director of its Industrial Relations Research Unit; Peter Armstrong is Senior Lecturer in the Management School at the University of Sheffield; and John Purcell is University Lecturer in Management Studies and Fellow of Templeton College, Oxford.
ESTIMATING MONETARY POLICY RULES FOR SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Knedlik Tobias 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe paper combines the estimation of the Monetary Conditions Index (MCI) with the theoretic modelling of optimal monetary policy in South Africa. The idea that monetary policy is not only interested in optimal monetary conditions but also in external stability, provides the basis for the analysis. The paper introduces the concept of the MCI and estimates the relative influence of interest rates and exchange rates on the output gap. The estimated weights are 1.9:1. This estimation results is used to specify operating target rules for South African monetary policy.
Addition of a C-Terminal Cysteine Improves the Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Activity of a Peptide Containing the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 TAT Protein Transduction Domain
Authors: Bultmann Hermann , Teuton Jeremy , Brandt Curtis R. 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT
Previous studies have shown that peptides containing the protein transduction domain (PTD) of the human immunodeficiency virus tat protein (GRKKRRQRRR) were effective inhibitors of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) entry (H. Bultmann and C. R. Brandt, J. Biol. Chem. 277:36018-36023, 2002). We now show that the addition of a single cysteine residue to the C terminus of the TAT PTD (TAT-C peptide) improves the antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2. The principle effect of adding the cysteine was to enable the peptide to inactivate virions and to induce a state of resistance to infection in cells pretreated with peptide. The TAT-C peptide acted extracellularly, immediately blocked entry of adsorbed virus, prevented VP16 translocation to the nucleus, and blocked syncytium formation and cell-cell spread. Thus, TAT-C peptides are fusion inhibitors. The induction of the resistance of cells to infection was rapid, recovered with a half-life of 5 to 6 h, and could be reinduced by peptide treatment. TAT-C bound to heparan sulfate but was a poor competitor for viral attachment. The antiviral activity depended on the net positive charge of the peptide but not on chirality, and a free sulfhydryl group was not essential for antiviral activity because TAT-C dimers were at least as effective as monomers. The unique combination of antiviral activities and low toxicity combine to make TAT-C a strong candidate for further development as a drug to block HSV infection.
Development and Persistence of Antimicrobial Resistance in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
: a Longitudinal Observation in Mechanically Ventilated Patients
Authors: Reinhardt Anita , Köhler Thilo , Wood Paul , Rohner Peter , Dumas Jean-Luc , Ricou Bara , van Delden Christian 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT

Intubated patients frequently become colonized by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, which is subsequently responsible for ventilator-associated pneumonia. This pathogen readily acquires resistance against available antimicrobials. Depending on the resistance mechanism selected for, resistance might either be lost or persist after removal of the selective pressure. We investigated the rapidity of selection, as well as the persistence, of antimicrobial resistance and determined the underlying mechanisms. We selected 109 prospectively collected
P. aeruginosa
tracheal isolates from two patients based on their prolonged intubation and colonization periods, during which they had received carbapenem, fluoroquinolone (FQ), or combined β-lactam-aminoglycoside therapies. We determined antimicrobial resistance phenotypes by susceptibility testing and used quantitative real-time PCR to measure the expression of resistance determinants. Within 10 days after the initiation of therapy, all treatment regimens selected resistant isolates. Resistance to β-lactam and FQ was correlated with
ampC
and
mexC
gene expression levels, respectively, whereas imipenem resistance was attributable to decreased
oprD
expression. Combined β-lactam-aminoglycoside resistance was associated with the appearance of small-colony variants. Imipenem and FQ resistance persisted for prolonged times once the selecting antimicrobial treatment had been discontinued. In contrast, resistance to β-lactams disappeared rapidly after removal of the selective pressure, to reappear promptly upon renewed exposure. Our results suggest that resistant
P. aeruginosa
is selected in less than 10 days independently of the antimicrobial class. Different resistance mechanisms lead to the loss or persistence of resistance after the removal of the selecting agent. Even if resistant isolates are not evident upon culture, they may persist in the lung and can be rapidly reselected.
Neonatal Coinfection Model of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus (
Staphylococcus epidermidis
) and
Candida albicans
: Fluconazole Prophylaxis Enhances Survival and Growth
Authors: Venkatesh Mohan Pammi , Pham Don , Fein Mindy , Kong Lingkun , Weisman Leonard E. 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) and
Candida
are among the most common causes of single infections and coinfections in neonates after 72 h of age. In neonates, coinfection increases the rate of mortality threefold and results in significantly greater morbidity compared to those that result from single infections. In an effort to better understand this phenomenon, we developed the first neonatal animal model of coinfection (with CoNS and
Candida
) and evaluated its effects on mortality and morbidity and the impact of antifungal prophylaxis with fluconazole. Neonatal Wistar rats were infected with
Candida albicans
and/or
Staphylococcus epidermidis
with doses of 2 × 10
8
and 2 × 10
6
CFU subcutaneously in different combinations and were monitored for mortality, weight gain, and bacteremia. The in vitro sensitivity of
C. albicans
to fluconazole was evaluated and the MIC was determined. A subset of rats in these experiments received fluconazole at 10 mg/kg of body weight/dose intraperitoneally starting 24 h before infection for 4 days, and the serum trough levels of fluconazole were measured. Coinfection in the suckling rat significantly increased the rate of mortality compared to that after infection with a single species (
P
< 0.001) and resulted in deaths even at sublethal doses. Coinfection also impaired weight gain significantly in severely infected pups compared to that achieved after infection with a single species (
P
< 0.001). Fluconazole prophylaxis significantly reduced mortality by 30% in the
Candida
group and 36% in the coinfection group and improved weight gain in this neonatal model of coinfection (
P
< 0.001). We developed a neonatal model of coinfection with
Candida
and CoNS, observed significantly greater mortality and morbidity with coinfection, and found that fluconazole prophylaxis significantly reduced the rates of both mortality and morbidity. Further research on neonatal coinfection is urgently needed to improve clinical outcomes.