bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
INFLUENCE OF VACUUM PACKAGING AND ORGANIC ACID TREATMENT ON THE CHILLED SHELF LIFE OF PEARL SPOT (ETROPLUS SURATENSIS, BLOCH 1790)
Authors: MANJU S. , MOHAN C.O. , MALLICK A.K. , RAVISHANKAR C.N. , GOPAL T.K. SRINIVASA 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACT The present work was carried out to study the effect of vacuum packaging and organic acids drip treatment, namely, sodium acetate and potassium sorbate (2%), on the quality of pearl spot during chilled storage (1–2C). Changes in pH, drip loss, water‐holding capacity, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N), trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA‐N), total plate counts, instrumental texture properties and sensory characteristics were investigated up to 18 days. Sensory evaluation revealed that the potassium sorbate‐ and sodium acetate‐treated vacuum‐packaged samples had good sensory characteristics up to 16 days compared with 7 days in control air packs (CAPs) and control vacuum packs (CVPs). The sensory shelf life followed the following order: CAP < CVP < sodium acetate‐treated vacuum pack < potassium sorbate‐treated vacuum pack. Chemical analysis demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in TVB‐N, TMA‐N and total plate counts, and better textural properties in potassium sorbate‐ and sodium acetate‐treated vacuum‐packaged fishes than CAPs and CVPs.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSLimited shelf life is one of the major problems the seafood industry faces today. The study compares the effect of vacuum packaging in combination with preservative chemical treatment on the shelf life of pearl spot. The study indicates that the use of chemical preservative treatments such as sodium acetate and potassium sorbate at 2% level, together with vacuum packaging, helps in extending the shelf life of pearl spot to 16 days compared with 7 days in control air packs and control vacuum packs. Hence, vacuum packaging, together with preservative treatment, is very effective in shelf‐life extension compared with vacuum packaging alone.
IMPROVED PROBE‐BASED ASSAY FOR THE QUANTIFICATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS VIRULENCE REGULATOR, RNAIII, BOTH IN VITRO AND IN VIVO
Authors: SAWIRES Y. , GRESHAM H. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACT Accessory gene regulator, a quorum‐sensing operon, plays a key role in the Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis by altering the expression of virulence determinants through its effector molecule, RNAIII. Several methods for RNAIII quantification have been described. However, methods that involve a signal amplification process are necessary to evaluate the contribution of RNAIII to the coordinate regulation of these virulence factors in specific niches, in vivo. Here, we described the development and validation of a specific probe‐based reverse transcription quantitative PCR for the quantification of RNAIII that improves upon previously published methods. Using the 2−ΔΔCt algorithm, we demonstrated the necessity for matching the efficiencies of the primer/probe sets used, as lack of this prerequisite could lead to inaccuracy in quantification with subsequent misjudging of the role of different virulence determinants in disease pathogenesis. The RNAIII expression was evaluated in both laboratory strain and clinical isolate under in vitro/in vivo conditions to verify the robustness of the technique.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSRNAIII is a global regulator that is involved and plays a key role in Staphylococcus aureus virulence. Quantifying RNAIII should be useful to understand the disease mechanisms of S. aureus in different animal models. Also, it would be useful for the screening of potential antivirulence drugs that can inhibit RNAIII‐dependent virulence determinants. Together with reverse transcription quantitative PCR assays developed for other determinants, based on the strategy adopted here, this could provide a more detailed view of the signaling pathways that control S. aureus virulence.
PAIRED PREFERENCE TESTS USING PLACEBO PAIRS AND DIFFERENT RESPONSE OPTIONS FOR CHIPS, ORANGE JUICES AND COOKIES
Authors: KIM HAE SUN , LEE HYE SEONG , O'MAHONY MICHAEL , KIM KWANG OK 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACT Preference tests were performed for varieties of potato chips, orange juices and chocolate chip cookies using three response protocols: the traditional paired preference test with the “no preference” option, a 9‐point hedonic scale and a 6‐point hybrid hedonic/purchase intent scale. The different stimuli to be assessed were presented in pairs, but putatively identical stimuli were also presented as a “placebo” pair. Performance on the placebo pair with identical stimuli provided a measure of the hidden demand characteristics of the test protocol. The presentation of the different pairs provided a measure of preference accompanied by such hidden demand effects. Comparison between the two allowed a better measure of preference per se. The order of presentation of the identical and different pairs did show occasional slight evidence of contrast effects. For the placebo “identical” pairs, a majority of consumers reported false preferences. Liking questions with the hedonic and hybrid scales elicited fewer false preferences than preference questions with the paired preference protocol. Yet, the effects tended to be slight. The 6‐point hedonic/purchase intent scale exhibited the fewest false preferences in the placebo condition, and this was because of its fewer categories rather than any cognitive strategy change elicited by its different labels.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSA problem with paired preference testing is the tendency of consumers to give false preferences, which produces the seriously misleadingoverestimation of the proportion of consumers who have preferences for one or other of the products being assessed. The placebo condition is an important control for alleviating this problem. The statistical analysis can be improved by finding a protocol that maximizes the proportion of “no preference” responses in the placebo condition. The key finding here is that using hedonic or purchase intent questions rather than preference questions may possibly provide a way of achieving this aim.
Contribution of FAT/CD36 to the regulation of skeletal muscle fatty acid oxidation: an overview
Authors: Holloway G. P. , Luiken J. J. F. P. , Glatz J. F. C. , Spriet L. L. , Bonen A. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractLong chain fatty acids (LCFAs) are an important substrate for ATP production within the skeletal muscle. The process of LCFA delivery from adipose tissue to muscle mitochondria involves many regulatory steps. Recently, it has been recognized that LCFA oxidation is not only dependent on LCFA delivery to the muscle, but also on regulatory steps within the muscle. Increasing selected fatty acid binding proteins/transporters on the plasma membrane facilitates a very rapid LCFA increase into the muscle, independent of any changes in LCFA delivery to the muscle. Such a mechanism of LCFA transporter translocation is activated by muscle contraction. Intramuscular triacylglycerols may also be hydrolysed to provide fatty acids for mitochondrial oxidation, particularly during exercise, when hormone‐sensitive lipase and other enzymes are activated. Mitochondrial LCFA entry is also highly regulated. This however does not involve only the malonyl CoA carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐I (CPTI) axis. Exercise‐induced fatty acid entry into mitochondria is also regulated by at least one of the proteins (FAT/CD36) that also regulates plasma membrane fatty acid transport. Among individuals, differences in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation appear to be correlated with the content of mitochondrial CPTI and FAT/CD36. This paper provides a brief overview of mechanisms that regulate LCFA uptake and oxidation in skeletal muscle during exercise and in obesity. We focus largely on our own work on FAT/CD36, which contributes to regulating, in a coordinated fashion, LCFA uptake across the plasma membrane and the mitochondrial membrane. Very little is known about the roles of FATP1‐6 on fatty acid transport in skeletal muscle.
Genetic analysis of H3N2 influenza A viruses isolated in 2006–2007 in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Bulimo Wallace D. , Garner Jason L. , Schnabel David C. , Bedno Sheryl A. , Njenga M. Kariuki , Ochieng Walter O. , Amukoye Evans , Magana James M. , Simwa James M. , Ofula Victor O. , Lifumo Samwel M. , Wangui Julia , Breiman Robert F. , Martin Samuel K. 
Published: June 2008

Background  Minimal influenza surveillance has been carried out in sub‐Saharan Africa to provide information on circulating influenza subtypes for the purpose of vaccine production and monitoring trends in virus spread and mutations.Objective  The aim of this study was to investigate a surveillance program in Kenya to isolate and characterize influenza viruses.Results  In the 2006–2007 influenza season, nine influenza A viruses were isolated. All were of H3N2 subtype with key amino acid (aa) changes indicating that they were more closely related to recent World Health Organization recommended vaccine strains than to older vaccine strains, and mirroring the evolution of circulating influenza A globally. Hemagglutination inhibition data showed that the 2006 Kenya isolates had titers identical to the 2005–2006 H3N2 vaccine strain but two‐ to threefold lower titers to the 2006–2007 vaccine strain, suggesting that the isolates were antigenic variants of the 2006–2007 vaccine strains. Analysis of aa substitutions of hemagglutinin‐1 (HA1) protein of the 2006 Kenyan viruses revealed unique genetic variations with several aa substitutions located at immunodominant epitopes of the HA1 protein. These mutations included the V112I change at site E, the K 173 E substitution at site D and N 278 K change at site C, mutations that may result in conformational change on the HA molecule to expose novel epitopes thus abrogating binding of pre‐existing antibodies at these sites.Conclusion  Characterization of these important genetic variations in influenza A viruses isolated from Kenya highlights the importance of continuing surveillance and characterization of emerging influenza drift variants in sub‐Saharan Africa.
Aldehyde oxidase carrying an unusual subunit structure from Pseudomonas sp. MX‐058
Authors: Thiwthong Rungruedee , Kataoka Michihiko , Iwasaki Akira , Watanabe Hiroshi , Hasegawa Junzo , Isobe Kimiyasu , Shimizu Sakayu 
Published: June 2008

Summary Pseudomonas sp. MX‐058 produces aldehyde oxidase catalysing glyoxal to glyoxylic acid. Two aldehyde oxidases (F10 and F13) were purified to homogeneity from Pseudomonas sp. MX‐058. F10 and F13 had subunit structures, a heterotetramer and heteropentamer respectively. The N‐terminal amino acid sequences of all subunits were highly homologous to amino acid sequences of the putative oxidoreductases of Pseudomonas strains. All of these homologous oxidoreductases have a heterotrimer structure consisting of 85‐88 (α), 37‐39 (β) and 18‐23 (γ) kDa subunits. However, the α‐subunits of F10 and F13 might have decomposed into two [80 (α1) and 9 kDa (α2)] and three [58 (α1′), 22 (α1″) and 9 (α2) kDa] subunits, respectively, while the β‐ and γ‐subunits remained intact. Both F10 and F13 show high activity toward several aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes. The aldehyde oxidases of Pseudomonas sp. MX‐058 has unique protein structures, α1α2βγ for F10 and α1′α1″α2βγ for F13, a heterotetramer and heteropentamer respectively. The enzymes exhibit significantly low activity toward glyoxylic acid compared with glyoxal, which is an advantageous property for glyoxylic acid production from glyoxal.
Labor Market Transitions of Immigrant‐Born, Refugee‐Born, and Canadian‐Born Youth
Authors: WILKINSON LORI 
Published: May 2008

Cet article a pour but d'analyser les expériences du marché du travail des jeunes nés de parents immigrants, réfugiés et canadiens en utilisant deux ensembles de données de 1998, l'Enquête sur la dynamique du travail et du revenu, et L'enquête sur le rétablissement des réfugiés en Alberta. Son ambition première est de comprendre leurs expériences de travail, étant donné qu'elles sont essentielles à leur intégration et à leur passage à l'âge adulte. D'un point de vue pratique, les résultats aident les fournisseurs de services de première ligne en procurant de l'information supplémentaire sur les besoins liés à l'emploi des jeunes nouveaux arrivants. Théoriquement, cette étude a pour objectif de mieux comprendre un des aspects de l'intégration — l'emploi —, étant donné que l'information actuelle ne décrit pas adéquatement les expériences de ces jeunes. Dans l'ensemble, cette recherche augmente les connaissances sur l'intégration des jeunes nés de parents immigrants et réfugiés sur le marché canadien du travail.This paper examines the labor market experiences of immigrant‐born, refugee‐born, and Canadian‐born youth using two data sets, the 1998 Survey on Labour and Income Dynamics and the 1998 Refugee Resettlement to Alberta Survey. Its main objective is to understand their job experiences as they are crucial to their integration and transition to adulthood. On a practical level, the findings help front‐line service providers by providing additional information about the employment‐related needs of newcomer youth. Theoretically, this research aims to develop a better understanding of one aspect of the integration, employment, as current information does not adequately describe the experiences of newcomer youth. Taken together, this research increases knowledge about the integration of immigrant‐born and refugee‐born youth in the Canadian labor market.
Restructuring Municipal Government: Labor‐Management Relations and Worker Mental Health
Authors: McDONOUGH PEGGY , WORTS DIANA , FOX BONNIE , DMITRIENKO KLAUDIA 
Published: May 2008

Cette étude présente une enquête selon la méthode mixte sur l'association qui existe entre les relations travail‐gestion et la santé mentale d'employés d'un secteur municipal subissant une restructuration de style nouvelle gestion publique. L'analyse des données du sondage (N=902) démontre qu'il existe une relation relativement forte et constante entre les pratiques de gestion et la santé psychologique des employés. Des interviews réalisées auprès d'un sous‐échantillon de 54 travailleurs révèlent que le contrôle excessif, l'incompétence et l'indifférence des gestionnaires combinés avec un minimum de récompenses soulignant les efforts consentis par les travailleurs ont pour conséquence que le personnel se sent dévalorisé. Nos résultats démontrent que la santé mentale des travailleurs a étéébranlée, en sapant leur estime de soi et en leur faisant perdre des possibilités d'améliorer leurs conditions de travail.This study is a mixed‐method investigation of the association between labor‐management relations and employees' mental health in a municipal sector undergoing New Public Management‐style restructuring. Analysis of the survey data (N=902) demonstrates a relatively strong and persistent relationship between management practices and employee psychological health. Interviews with a subsample of 54 workers reveal that management's excessive control, incompetence, and unresponsiveness, combined with minimal rewards for workers' efforts, left staff feeling devalued. Our findings suggest that workers' mental health was harmed by the undermining of their sense of self‐worth and the loss of avenues to improve their working conditions.
Cytomorphologic differentiation of benign and malignant mammary tumors in fine needle aspirate specimens from irradiated female Sprague–Dawley rats
Authors: Karim Baktiar O. , Ali Syed Z. , Landolfi Jennifer A. , Mann Jill F. , Liu Guosheng , Christian Archie , Dicello John F. , Rosenthal Dorothy L. , Huso David L. 
Published: June 2008

Background: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) offers a rapid and minimally invasive means to distinguish malignant from benign neoplasms. However, few studies have been published regarding the cytopathology of mammary tumors in rats despite widespread use of the rat model for breast cancer formation and inhibition.Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of FNA cytology and to develop distinguishing cytologic criteria for the diagnosis of radiation‐induced benign and malignant mammary tumors in rats.Methods: In a study of radiation‐induced mammary carcinogenesis, 100 Sprague–Dawley rats with cutaneous masses were randomly chosen for FNA. The aspirates were smeared, fixed, and stained with a modified Papanicolaou procedure for diagnostic evaluation. Cytologic and histologic diagnoses (benign vs malignant) were compared, and diagnostic accuracy was calculated using the histologic diagnosis as the criterion standard. FNA smears were scored semiquantitatively on a scale of 1–4 for cellularity, atypia, nuclear size, chromatin pattern, nuclear membrane thickness, nucleoli, and mitoses. The background was evaluated for necrosis, hemorrhage, inflammation, and mucosecretory material. Cytomorphologic features were compared statistically between benign and malignant tumors, based on the histologic diagnosis.Results: The sensitivity of FNA was 92.3% and specificity was 89.4% for the detection of malignancy. However, 14% of specimens, all fibroadenomas by histology, had insufficient cells for cytologic evaluation, for an overall accuracy rate of 78.0%. Malignant tumors had significantly higher scores for all cytomorphologic features, and were significantly more likely to contain cell clusters and necrotic debris.Conclusions: FNA is an accurate method for differentiating benign and malignant rat mammary tumors.
Research in an Undergraduate Interior Design Curriculum
Authors: Franklin Evelyn M. , Erickson Ann 
Published: June 2008

Research is an important component of the design process and should be incorporated into undergraduate interior design curricula. As potential designers, students need to become cognizant of the necessity of systematically seeking information for design solutions and to increase their awareness of the behavioral impact of design through observation. This article describes an undergraduate research experience which focused upon the development of a team research project using a simulated environment as the research laboratory. Because of the success of this project it became the nucleus of a required research course for interior design majors in which students work with a variety of research methods and projects. The goals of the course are to develop an understanding of the relationship between research and the practice of interior design; to develop research skills; to design, develop and implement research projects utilizing primary sources; and to become acquainted with the body of research applicable to interior design. The ultimate goal for incorporation of research methodologies at the undergraduate level is to establish a respect and understanding for research that students will carry into their professional activities.
A Study of Color Planning Criteria Used by Noted Designers
Authors: Portillo Margaret , Dohr Joy H. 
Published: June 2008

This study was conducted to identify color planning criteria that noted designers reported using in textile, sig–nage, interior, and architecture projects. The national sample consisted of designers (n = 41) who were nominated as either accomplished colorists (n = 23) or comparably accomplished generalists (n = 18). Data were collected through an in–person interview regarding a self–selected project and a standardized color acuity test. Potential sources of variation in color acuity between the colorists and generalists were examined. No statistically significant differences were found between groups, but the total sample scored significantly better on hue discrimination when compared to the normative adult mean. Primary findings showed that noted designers employed five categories of criteria in the design process: compositional to create unity or emphasis, or to manipulate space and form with color; symbolic to express design concepts with color; behavioral to address activity needs with color; preferential to consider individual color preferences or market trends; and pragmatic to support maintenance needs and preconditions with color. Over half of the sample (52 percent) used two or more color categories per project, and exploratory analyses revealed that colorists used compositional color criteria more frequently than generalists. The results provided a basis for formulating a framework of color planning.
Computer Applications in Interior Design Education and Practice
Authors: Curry Zane D. , Shroyer JoAnn , Gentry Marie 
Published: June 2008

This study surveyed professional members of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and Institute of Business Designers (IBD) and compared competencies desired by practicing interior designers with the computer competencies required by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER) first professional–level degree–accredited programs. The study also surveyed FIDER–accredited programs regarding instruction in computer applications. Mailed questionnaires to 800 randomly selected ASID and IBD members included questions concerning size of firm, type of practice, educational background, computer applications, and attitudes toward the use of computers in the future of the interior design industry. A separate questionnaire addressing pedagogical methods, media, and requirements was mailed to representatives of the first professional–level degree programs accredited by FIDER. Although data indicate that practicing interior designers require an awareness level of student achievement for computer applications, more agree than disagree that interior design graduates should possess a competency in computer applications. The majority of FIDER–accredited programs required a level of student achievement for computer systems higher than the awareness level recommended in the FIDER standards and guidelines. FIDER–accredited programs, as a whole, currently meet entry–level computer skill requirements, but professional interior designers predict that knowledge of computer applications will be essential in the future. Therefore, educators should continually evaluate curricula, methods, and media to stay abreast of industry standards, and FIDER should reexamine the standards and guidelines for determining computer competencies.