bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization and Scale‐Up of Enzymatic Synthesis of Structured Lipids Using RSM
Authors: HUANG KUAN‐HSIANG , AKOH CASIMIR C. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTEnzymatic synthesis of structured lipids by transesterification of ethyl caprylate (EC) and soybean oil and sunflower oil (90% oleic acid) in hexane was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Incubation time (IT), molar ratio of ethyl caprylate to total triglycerides (MR), percentage of soybean oil as source of long‐chain triglycerides (PS), and long‐chain triglyceride concentration (TC) were assumed the most important factors affecting nutritional attributes of structured lipids based on caprylic acid (C8:0) and linoleic acid (C18:2 n‐6) content. Optimum conditions for synthesis of structured lipids were: IT = 26.4 hr; MR = 8; PS = 75%; TC = 0.58 M. The capryloyl acyl residues in triglyceride predicted by RSM was 67.6 (mol%) and linoleoyl 14.5%. Large scale synthesis was successful. The model was verified experimentally.
Reduction of Drying Time for Pepperoni by Vacuum‐drying
Authors: CHIN K.B. , KEETON J.T. , LACEY R.E. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTCommercial pepperoni was dried under vacuum (100 kPa) at three temperatures (177°, 19°, and 22°C) and matching controls were dried under commercial conditions. Vacuum‐dried pepperoni achieved a moisture: protein (M:P) ratio of 1.6:1 after 9 to 12 days drying, compared to 18 days for the control. Overall drying time was reduced ∼30%. Among temperature treatments, 17°C treatment had more weight loss and darker color (P < 0.05) than others. Weight loss and Kramer shear force were higher (P < 0.05) for vacuum‐dried pepperoni, whereas Hunter a and b values tended to be higher for the control throughout the drying period.
Freezing Rate and Frozen Storage Effects on Color and Sensory Characteristics of Pineapple Fruit Slices
Authors: BARTOLOME A.P. , RUPEREZ P. , FUSTER C. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThis study was carried out to evaluate the influence of freezing process (cold room –18°C and air‐blast freezer –50°C) and frozen storage (–18°C for 0 to 12 mo) on color and sensory quality of pineapple fruit slices (Smooth Cayenne and Red Spanish cultivars). L, –a and +b color parameters showed differences (P ≦ 0.05) with cultivar, but not with freezing rate. No differences (P ≥ 0.05) were found in sensory analysis (color and appearance) between the cultivars, frozen at different rates, compared to fresh product, or after 1 yr frozen storage. The two cultivars are suitable for freezing.
Optimization of Blanching for Crispness of Banana Chips Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: JACKSON JOSÉ C. , BOURNE MALCOLM C. , BARNARD JOHN 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTWhole green bananas were blanched in water at 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100°C for 2, 15, and 30 min using a factorial design then peeled, sliced and fried in oil to make chips. Crispness was measured using a bending‐snapping test in the TA.XT2 Texture Analyzer. Significant interactions were found between blanch time and temperature and crispness of chips. A second experiment was then performed using a central composite design and blanch temperatures from 41.7 to 98.3°C. Response surface analysis predicted that crispiest chips should be produced at blanching conditions of 69°C and 22 min.
B003 Electrical Stimulation of the S3 Sacral Root Increased the Frequency of Both Colonic High Amplitude Propagating Pressure Waves and Defaecation in Patients with Slow Transit Constipation
Authors: Dinning P.G. , Fuentealba S.E. , Kennedy M.L. , Lubowski D.Z. , Cook I.J. 
Published: August 2006

Objective  Colonic high amplitude propagating sequences (HAPS) are important for colonic transit and defaecation. HAPS frequency is reduced in slow transit constipation (STC). Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) can altered bowel function. The effects of SNS on colonic HAPS's in severe constipation are unknown. We aimed to determine, in patients with STC, whether SNS can: (1) induce colonic HAPS's, (2) improve symptoms.Method  Eight patients with scintigraphically confirmed STC had a manometry catheter (16 recording sites at 7.5 cm intervals) positioned colonoscopically to the caecum. Temporary electrodes (Medtronic) were implanted in the S2 and S3 sacral nerve foramina. 14 Hz stimulation was administered and four sets of parameters (pulse width 300 or 400 μs; S2 and S3) were tested in 4 × 2 h epochs, in random order, over 2 days.Results  When compared with basal, SNS to S3, significantly increased the frequency of pan‐colonic HAPSs (basal: 0.06 ± 0.09 HAPS/h vs. stimulation: 0.7 ± 0.6 PS/h, P = 0.04). During the subsequent 3 week trial (continuous stimulation), 6 of 8 reported increased bowel frequency and reduced laxative usage.Conclusion  SNS induces HAPSs in the colon of patients with severe constipation, suggesting promise as a potential therapy for severe refractory constipation.Acknowledgement  This study was supported by Medtronic Australia.
B006 A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Cesarean Section in the Preservation of Anal Continence
Authors: Nelson R.L. , Furner S.E. , Westercamp M. 
Published: August 2006

Objective  Elective primary Cesarean section is performed largely to avoid maternal pelvic trauma that may result in anal incontinence. Its efficacy in this regard has not been thoroughly assessed.Methods  The search was from 1966 through August, 2005, including both randomized and nonrandomized reports. Eligible studies included women having either vaginal delivery or Cesarean (C) section. Faecal and/or flatal incontinence was reported as an outcome and risk was calculable from the reported data. In the nonrandomized studies adjusted odds ratios were also extracted and additional data obtained from authors to adjust risks for age and parity. Sensitivity analyses were done using quality indicators – age and parity adjustment, time to continence assessment and mode of prior delivery.Results  A total of 15 studies were found eligible, encompassing 3010 C sections and 11 440 vaginal deliveries. The summary relative risk for faecal incontinence was 0.91, 95% CI = 0.74–1.14, for flatus; 0.98, (0.86–1.13). The number needed to treat by C. section was 167 to prevent a single case of faecal incontinence. In five studies judged to be of high quality, the summary relative risk was 0.94 (0.72–1.22) and number needed to treat 198.Conclusion  Caesarian section does not prevent anal incontinence. The incontinence associated with delivery may in fact be incontinence caused by pregnancy.
Effect of ophthalmic Nd:YAG laser energy on intraocular lenses after posterior capsulotomy in normal dog eyes
Authors: Beale A. Brady , Salmon Jacklyn , Michau Tammy M. , Gilger Brian C. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjective  To determine Nd:YAG laser energy requirements for posterior capsulotomy and intraocular lens (IOL) damage threshold for foldable acrylic IOLs as compared to traditional polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).Materials and procedures  Four groups of five–six fresh canine cadaver eyes were used in this study. The groups included (1) unaltered eyes (2) aphakic eyes (3) eyes implanted with PMMA IOLs, and (4) eyes implanted with acrylic IOLs. Laser energy was delivered to the posterior capsule in grid fashion for 10 sites each of five levels of laser energy ranging from 0.5 mJ to 9 mJ. Number of successful capsulotomy sites was recorded based on slit‐lamp observation. Sites of IOL damage were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistical analysis of number of capsulotomies and IOL defects per laser energy level was conducted among and between groups using anova with Tukey's HSD test.Results  When comparing groups (a) including all energy levels (n = 25) and (b) by specific energy levels (n = 5), there was no significant difference (P < 0.05) in number of successful capsulotomy sites between IOL types. The 50% incidence threshold for successful capsulotomy was 2.74 mJ for acrylic IOLs and 2.64 mJ for PMMA IOLs. Energy‐dependent damage to both types of IOL was detected for medium, high‐medium, and high laser energy. Calculated 50% damage threshold was 4.9 mJ for acrylic IOL and 5.7 mJ for PMMA IOL. Damage to the IOL varied subjectively between IOL type, but there was no significant difference in number of defects caused, with the exception of high‐medium energy.Conclusions  Both posterior lens capsules and IOLs were disrupted in an energy‐dependent manner with minimal difference in number of capsulotomy sites or damage to the IOL between acrylic and PMMA IOLs. A therapeutic margin between capsulotomy threshold (2.6–2.7 mJ) and IOL damage threshold (4.9–5.7 mJ) was determined to reliably achieve capsulotomies with minimal IOL damage for both acrylic and PMMA IOLs in normal canine cadaver eyes.
Ultraviolet irradiation up‐regulates telomerase transcription and activity in lens epithelial cells
Authors: Colitz Carmen M. H. , Barden Curtis A. , Lu Ping , Chandler Heather L. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractPurpose  Ultraviolet irradiation (UVR) increases telomerase activity in various cell types including skin, a sun‐exposed organ. The lens is also continually exposed to UVR and we hypothesized that lenses exposed to UVR would have increased telomerase activity, with up‐regulated TERT and TR, the two main components of the telomerase holoenzyme. To evaluate whether the cornea would protect lenses from such changes, whole globes, as well as isolated lenses, were exposed to UVR, and lenses were evaluated for changes in telomerase activity.Methods  There were three parts to this project. The first part of this experiment evaluated freshly harvested normal adult canine lenses exposed to 0, 300, 600, or 1200 J/m2 UVR, and then allowed to recover for 1, 2, 3 and 4 h. Since only 600 J/m2 UVR increased telomerase activity, four more postexposure recovery time‐points for this UVR dose were evaluated: 10 min, 30 min, 8 h and 24 h. The second part of this experiment used freshly enucleated whole canine globes exposed to 0, 50, 100, 150, 300, 600 or 1200 J/m2 and incubated overnight; lens epithelial cells (LEC) were evaluated for telomerase activity. The third part evaluated lenses that were exposed to 0 or 600 J/m2 UVR, and then allowed to recover for 8 and 24 h, before TERT and TR mRNA levels were measured.Results  Isolated lenses exposed to 600 J/m2 UVR had significantly higher telomerase activity than unexposed controls and other UVR doses, at all time‐points except 24 h postexposure. Lenses from whole globes exposed to UVR showed a dose‐dependent increase in telomerase activity except at 50 J/m2 and 1200 J/m2. Isolated lenses exposed to 600 J/m2 UVR and then allowed to recover for 8 and 24 h significantly up‐regulated TERT and TR mRNAs compared to unexposed control lenses.Conclusions  Telomerase activity is regulated at both the transcriptional and post‐translational levels in canine LEC. Previous work in our laboratory showed dose, time, and age‐dependent changes in telomerase activity in the lens. The present study showed that TERT and TR mRNA transcription was increased for up to 24 h following an acute dose of UVR. Both telomerase activity and TERT and TR mRNA levels were elevated until 24 h post‐UVR exposure, TERT in combination with TR functions in proliferation‐related telomerase activity, but TERT alone has an anti‐apoptotic function and its up‐regulation may protect LEC from the acute effects of UVR. We are continuing to evaluate the mechanisms by which telomerase is regulated in normal and cataractous LEC.
Private Sector Foreign Investment and the Environment
Authors: Esty Daniel C. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryThe industrialization of the developing world is now and will continue to be predominately financed by private capital rather than bilateral or multilateral assistance. To the extent that associated pollution problems spill across national boundaries, this industrialization can no longer be viewed by the developed world as simply an investment opportunity but must also be seen as a potential source of pollution harm. Just as governments have an interest in investments made within their borders, the way in which capital is invested in developing countries has become a legitimate interest of policy makers in developed countries. Governments can advance their international environmental interests by direct assistance, and by providing incentives to the private sector. The private sector can assist in the establishment of environmental guidelines, labelling criteria, and investment guidelines. However, to be effective these mechanisms must be co‐ordinated transnationally.
Environmental Covenants Between Government and Industry A Dutch NGO's Experience
Authors: Biekart Jan Willem 
Published: August 2006

SamenvattingUit het Nationaal Milleubeleidsplan blijkt dat de regering voor wat betreft de uitvoering van het milieubeleid voor industrie sterk inzet op de koers van zelfregulering, waarin convenanten een grote rol spelen. De nu bestaande convenanten hebben betrekking op produkten, industriële produktieprocessen of energiegebruik in uiteenlopende bedrijfstakken. Nu de eerste resultaten van de convenantenbenadering duidelijk worden is het tijd geworden om vanuit de optiek van de milieubeweging een kritische blik te werpen op de rol van convenanten bij de uitvoering van het milieubeleid. De ervaringen van de Nederlandse milieu‐organisaties met convenanten wisselen sterk, al naar gelang de kenmerken van een bepaald convenant. Aan de hand van een groot aantal voorbeelden worden uiteindelijk drie stellingen geformuleerd. De eerste stelling is dat de convenanten een toegevoegde waarde hebben mits ze gebruikt worden als voorloper van of ter uitvoering van milieuwetgeving. De tweede stelling is dat convenanten onaanvaardbaar zijn als zij zich onttrekken aan de democratische controle door derde partijen. Dit is eigen aan convenanten, omdat het privaatrechterlijke contracten zijn. Toch hoeft dit geen probleem te zijn als de eerste stelling in het oog wordt gehouden en convenanten (als instrument) geen basis krijgen in de milieuwetgeving. Tenslotte wordt betoogd dat convenanten slechts een instrument zijn binnen de filosofie van zelfregulering door bedrijven. Willen overheid en bedrijven geloofwaardig zijn hierin, dan dienen ook andere instrumenten uit dit bereik te worden ingezet, om te komen tot een goede synergic Dergelijke instrumenten zijn bijvoorbeeld het milieujaarverslag en goede wetgeving op het gebied van milieuaansprakelijkheid.
Promoting the Use of Lifecycle Assessment in Product and Service Design and in Public Policy
Authors: Hindle P. , de Oude N.T. , Osterlof P. , De Smet B. 
Published: August 2006

RésuméĽécobilan est une technique qui permet ľétude des ressources nécessaires aux produits et services ainsi que celle des rejets associés à ces mêmes produits et services. La législation Européenne reconnaît ľimportance et la valeur de cet outil scientifique. La méthodologie nécessaire pour inventorier ľutilisation des resources et la liste des rejets est bien définie et est de plus en plus utiliseé. A ce jour, il n'existe pas encore de méthodologie reconnue pour passer du stade du bilan à celui de ľimpact environmental.Un nombre de scientifiques travaillent àľ amélioration des techniques utilisées dans les écobilans afin ?en accrître ľutilité aussi bien pour celui qui développe des produits et services que pour le législateur. SPOLD (Society for the Promotion of Lifecycle Assessment Development) réunit un grand nombre de ces scientifiques venant ?horizons aussi différents que ľindustrie, la consultance et ľuniversité. Le travail accompli par SPOLD afin de mettre sur pied des bases de données pour écobilans, accessibles à tous, est décrite.Ľécobilan n'est évidemment pas le seul outil environnemental qui peut être utilisé pour optimiser, ?un point de vue environmental, produits et services. Le travail accompli par SPOLD pour accrître la compréhension des écobilans et développer leur utilisation est également donné.
Legal Framework for Environmental Co‐operation in Latin America: An Overview
Authors: Herrera Alfonso Ascencio , Pevato Paula M 
Published: August 2006

SumarioAmérica Latina constituye una región que ha dado expresión juridica, de conformidad con los principios del Derecho International, a la necesidad de cooperar en materia ambiental. En este sentido, los Estados que conforman la región han confeccionado una serie de tratados de carácter bilateral y subregional a fin de proporcionar un sustento legal a la cooperación en este rubro. Los comprornisos asumidos a través de los documentos que emanaron de la Conferencia de Rio d e Janeiro en 1992, cuentan con el reconocimiento de su validez por parte de los Estados latinoamericanos. Ante todo, América Latina fundamenta sus acciones en el Bmbito ambiental mediante: consultas a nivel politico; cooperación en las esfaras legal y politica; y, sobre la firme convicci6n que la cooperación ambiental es solo un aspecto, entre varios, que componen la prioridad de lograr el desarrollo sostenible.
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF TROPICAL LATIN AMERICA: THE SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL HETEROGENEITY OF ENVIRONMENTS
Authors: Zimmerer Karl S. , Langstroth Robert P. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTFor the past 40 years, studies of physical geography in tropical Latin America have concentrated on the spatial and temporal diversity of biophysical environments and biota. Environmental heterogeneity arises from historical and present‐day interaction between climatic, geomorphologic, edaphic, and biogeographic systems. Recent research emphasizes three major themes involving these systems: Quaternary climate change; human‐altered biophysical environments; and geomorphologic activity. Findings on these themes are evaluated with respect to the tropical highlands, the tropical lowlands and related extra‐tropical areas. Research on physical geography in Latin America promises numerous contributions toward a better understanding of environmental conservation.
TAIWANESE FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT AND TRADE WITH THAILAND
Authors: Kang‐hung Chang , Thornson Curtis N. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThailand has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and an important factor contributing to this phenomenal growth is foreign direct investment (FDI). Taiwan's investment in Thailand, led by small and medium sized companies in labour intensive and relatively low technology industries, has increased dramatically since 1986. While Western multinational companies have been interested in using FDI to expand their markets in the host country, Taiwanese FDI — in a pattern similar to Japanese FDI of the 1970s — has been taking place in selected developing countries to lower production costs and export manufactured products to third country markets. Taiwan's exports to Thailand have also shown a marked increase since the Taiwanese government allowed large scale FDI in 1986. Although small at the global scale, Taiwanese investment in Thailand has contributed to an increasingly integrated East Asian economy.
VARIABILITY IN THE CHARACTER OF HONG KONG RAINY SEASONS
Authors: Jackson I.J. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTUsing a range of rainfall variables, rainy seasons in Hong Kong in each of 99 years have been characterised and classified into 11 groups. Many of the correlations between variables are low, indicating the need for a multivariate approach to classification. The main characteristics of each group of seasons, their frequencies of occurrence and a small number of sequences of types which are unlikely to have occurred by chance are presented. Characteristics of the rainfall variables and aspects of their temporal variations are also presented.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSIONS OF STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMMES: MISSING LINKS TO SUSTAINING DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Kendie S. B. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThe implementation of structural adjustment programmes has not paid sufficient attention to the environmental effects of prescribed reforms. Agriculture is often the largest sector contributing significantly to the generation of export revenue and the gross domestic product in many adjusting countries, including Ghana. Structural adjustments in this sector aim at removing constraints to productivity. In Ghana, these reforms include producer price increases, market liberalisation and exchange rate reforms. This paper examines the environmental effects of raised farmgate prices for cocoa and cotton cultivation. It argues that these policies have encouraged agricultural extensification, particularly given the main type of farming (slash and burn agriculture) practised in Ghana. Environmental degradation is occurring in many areas. Furthermore, cuts in public expenditure and the institution of cost‐recovery schemes for previously subsidised services such as rural water supply may reduce farmers’ disposable incomes and their ability to pay for these services. Consumption of unsafe water exposes farmers to preventable water and hygiene related diseases which, given the high cost of medical services, may worsen poverty and further encourage agricultural extensification.
FALLOW AND FERTILITY UNDER SUBSISTENCE CULTIVATION IN THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA HIGHLANDS: II. SOIL FERTILITY
Authors: Sillitoe Paul 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThe farming regime of the Wola people of Nipa District in the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea features the cultivation of some land semi‐permanently under non‐perennial crops within the broad context of a swidden regime. An investigation of the fertility status of the soils they cultivate —Inceptisols variably affected by falls of volcanic ash — suggests how these farmers avoid the soil constraints that might otherwise prompt long‐term fallowing of sites under such a tropical subsistence agricultural regime. While organic matter and the elements N and K all decline significantly with time under cultivation, they settle at new equilibria which may not signify deficiencies for some crops. The other major nutrient P also falls significantly over time, although levels are relatively low throughout. Other nutrients show no significant variation. These findings comply with the wide variety of crops observed under cultivation early in the life of gardens, followed later by a virtual sweet potato mono‐crop. This crop is able to continue yielding adequately in the long term, following a decline in nutrient availability, notably because they remain in favourable ratios for tuberisation and because of its tolerance of low P conditions.
THE HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF HONG KONG INVESTMENTS IN THE ASEAN REGION
Authors: Yeung Henry Wai‐chung 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTConventional studies of “Third World multinationals” tend to focus on their recent origins. This paper argues that the transnational operations of Hong Kong firms have had a long tradition originating in its Overseas Chinese networks and in the colonial experience of many Southeast Asian countries. Based on secondary and primary data, this paper takes a historical view to describe how the ASEAN operations of Hong Kong transnational corporations (HKTNCs) and their foreign direct investment (HKFDI) have evolved over more than a century to become one of the most important economic players in the ASEAN region. Four phases of their historical development are benchmarked in this paper. Before World War II, HKTNCs in the commercial and banking sectors had a notable presence in the region. It was, however, in the post‐war period that HKTNCs and their FDI flows flourished. During the period 1945–69, industrialisation took off in Hong Kong and this led to the expansion of manufacturing HKTNCs into the ASEAN region. The real zenith of outward investment from Hong Kong was the 1970s and 1980s so that in the 1990s Hong Kong has become one of the largest investors in Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.