bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultra-high energy cosmic rays, spiral galaxies and magnetars
Authors: Ghisellini G. , Ghirlanda G. , Tavecchio F. , Fraternali F. , Pareschi G. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
We measure the correlation between the arrival directions of the highest energy cosmic rays detected by the Pierre Auger Observatory with the position of the galaxies in the H i Parkes All-Sky Survey (HIPASS) catalogue, weighted for their H i flux and Auger exposure. The use of this absorption-free catalogue, complete also along the Galactic plane, allows us to use all the Auger events. The correlation is significant, being 86.2 per cent for the entire sample of H i galaxies, and becoming 99 per cent when considering the richest galaxies in H i content or 98 per cent with those lying between 40 and 55 Mpc. We interpret this result as the evidence that spiral galaxies are the hosts of the producers of ultra-high energy cosmic rays and we briefly discuss the classical (i.e. energetic and distant) long gamma-ray burst (GRBs), short GRBs, as well as newly born or late-flaring magnetars as possible sources of the Auger events. With the caveat that these events are still very few, and the theoretical uncertainties are conspicuous, we found that newly born magnetars are the best candidates. If so, they could also be associated with sub-energetic, spectrally soft, nearby, long GRBs. We finally discuss why there is a clustering of Auger events in the direction on the radio galaxy Cen A and an absence of events in the direction of the radio galaxy M87.
EVALUATION OF THIN‐LAYER DRYING MODELS FOR DESCRIBING DRYING KINETICS OF BARBERRIES (BARBERRIES VULGARIS)
Authors: AGHBASHLO MORTAZA , KIANMEHR MOHAMMAD H. , SAMIMI‐AKHIJAHANI HADI 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT Barberry is known as a medicinal and ornamental plant throughout the world. Edible fruit from the barberry is used in medicine to treat liver, neck and stomach cancer, for purification of the blood and for breath freshness. In order to assess and select a suitable form of the drying curve, six different semitheoretical and/or empirical models were fitted to the experimental data. Experiments were performed at air temperatures of 50, 60 and 70C. At each temperature, three air velocity values were selected: 0.5, 1 and 2 m/s. Consequently, of all the drying models, the Page model was selected as the best mathematical model according to R2, χ2 and root mean square error parameters. Constants related to the Page model are reported and regressed against air condition using multiple regression analysis.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONAll commercial flow dryers are designed on thin‐layer drying principles. Thin‐layer drying means to dry as one layer of sample particles or slices. In this paper we present a mathematical model for thin‐layer drying of barberry fruits (moisture ratio against time). Definition of moisture ratio as a function of time and drying condition has many advantages such as (1) easy control of dryer system, (2) lower energy consumption, (3) less thermal damage to the products and (4) lower investment. It is believed that the present study should be useful to people seeking (1) to optimize the design of drying systems and their components, and (2) to identify appropriate applications and optimal configurations for drying systems.
MOISTURE DESORPTION OF PADDY BY TWO DIFFERENT POROUS MEDIA: MATHEMATICAL MODELS AND EXPERIMENTAL DATA
Authors: WIRIYAUMPAIWONG SONGCHAI , RAIKHAM KITTIPORN , YANGVO PANNEE , SOPONRONNARIT SOMCHART 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to study the moisture reduction of paddy by two different adsorbents, tapioca flour and rice husk. The effects of the mixed ratio of adsorbent to paddy, the initial moisture content of adsorbent and the number of times of adsorbent replacement on the moisture desorption of paddy, moisture adsorption of adsorbent and milling qualities were investigated. The mathematical models were developed for predicting the moisture desorption of paddy and moisture adsorption of adsorbent. Experimental one‐pass sorption results revealed that the higher mixed ratio and lower initial moisture content of adsorbent provided the higher moisture reduction rate of paddy and gave the higher water adsorption of adsorbent. It was also found that mixed ratio, initial moisture content and the number of times of adsorbent replacement had no obvious effect on percentage of head rice yield and whiteness of milled rice. Page's model was fitted properly with the experimental desorption and adsorption data. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSAdsorption is a useful process in order to maintain some qualities of heat‐sensitive product because it operates at low temperature. Adsorption is a time‐consuming process to remove moisture of adsorbate until its moisture is down to safe storage. This is because drying rate is controlled by diffusion of a product. Slow diffusion rate can prevent the quality loss of product during the drying process. The investigation involving moisture desorption of agricultural products by different kinds of adsorbent will provide more understanding on the mechanism of sorption process.
THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF COCONUT WATER AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE
Authors: FONTAN RAFAEL DA COSTA ILHÉU , SANTOS LEANDRO SOARES , BONOMO RENATA CRISTINA FERREIRA , LEMOS ALANA ROCHA , RIBEIRO RAQUEL PRATES , VELOSO CRISTIANE MARTINS 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT The effect of temperature on the thermophysical properties of coconut water was investigated from 5 to 80C, taking density, Newtonian viscosity, thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity into consideration, besides specific heat. The validation of existent models of other foodstuffs, as well as the proposal of new models, was also investigated. It was verified that temperature significantly affected these properties, presenting in general a linear behavior, except for Newtonian viscosity, which presented an exponential behavior. Among the existent equations, results from the multiple linear model were appropriated to predict the density, thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity values, while the model, which depended on solids fraction, was the best one for specific heat value, and the exponential model was the best in relation to Newtonian viscosity values. The proposed models fitted well, and were simple and easy to use. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSMost of the known values of thermophysical properties of fluid foods typically concern products from subtropical and cold areas. Until today, there was little information concerning tropical products such as coconut water. Food composition and temperature are important factors that affect thermal properties. In order to create and adapt specific equipment, optimize processes that involve pumping and heat transfer, contributing to an effective design of food‐processing equipment for tropical fluid foods, it is important to know the factors. Besides, the evaluation of existent models and equations, and the introduction of new equations is important to allow an adequate prediction of studied properties, thus saving time, material and money.
CORROSION AND WEAR PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS USED FOR MINCED MEAT PRODUCTION
Authors: JELLESEN MORTEN S. , HANSEN MIKKEL ØSTERGAARD , HILBERT LISBETH RISCHEL , MØLLER PER 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT The risk of material degradation is present in minced‐meat processing equipment. Corrosion, wear and tribocorrosion properties of commonly used steel materials for such processing equipment are therefore studied in detail. Corrosiveness of minced meat has been evaluated by potentiodynamic measurements. Combined sliding wear and corrosion conditions have been simulated in laboratory using a block‐on‐ring setup allowing for electrochemical measurements. Detailed information concerning the mechanism of possible material degradation is provided by these results, together with microstructural analysis and thermodynamic considerations. Areas of precaution are stated and new material solutions are suggested. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe presented results show the importance of investigating both corrosion and wear properties of materials used for processing food under tribocorrosive conditions. In meat mincing, the processing materials need to be wear resistant and at the same time corrosion resistant because of possible aggressiveness of the food product and cleaning procedures. The use of laboratory setups has made it possible to investigate a steel containing vanadium‐nitride and carbide phases in respect of both corrosion and wear properties
Association of lens opacities, intraocular straylight, contrast sensitivity and visual acuity in European drivers
Authors: Michael Ralph , Van Rijn Laurentius J. , Van Den Berg Thomas J. T. P. , Barraquer Rafael I. , Grabner Günther , Wilhelm Helmut , Coeckelbergh Tanja , Emesz Martin , Marvan Patrik , Nischler Christian 
Published: September 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  To study the relationship between lens opacity and intraocular straylight, visual acuity and contrast sensitivity.Methods:  We investigated 2422 drivers in five clinics in different European Union (EU) member states aged between 20 and 89 years as part of a European study into the prevalence of visual function disorders in drivers. We measured visual acuity [Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart], contrast sensitivity (Pelli–Robson chart) and intraocular straylight (computerized straylight meter). Lens opacities were graded with the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS) without pupillary dilation. Participants answered the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire – 25.Results:  Intraocular straylight was related more strongly to LOCS score than to both visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were correlated to each other well, but to intraocular straylight to a much lesser extent. Self‐reported visual quality was best related to contrast sensitivity; night driving difficulty was best related to visual acuity.Conclusion:  Straylight is found to have added value for visual function assessment in drivers, whereas if visual acuity is known contrast sensitivity has limited added value.
Strain‐Specific Sensitivity Estimates of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Culture in Greek Sheep and Goats
Authors: Florou M. , Leontides L. , Kostoulas P. , Billinis C. , Sofia M. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThe requirements for the isolation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) may be related to the strain‐type [sheep (S)‐ or cattle (C)‐type] and not to the host. The objective of this paper was to estimate and compare strain‐ and biological sample (faeces or pooled‐tissue) – specific sensitivities (Ses) of two solid culture media, Herrold’s egg yolk medium (HEYM) and Lowenstein–Jensen (LJ) medium, for the isolation of Map from Greek dairy sheep and goats. From 400 faecal samples collected from sub‐clinically infected sheep and goats of four flocks and from 214 pooled‐tissue samples (142 from sheep and 72 from goats) collected, at the abattoir, from >1‐year‐old routinely slaughtered animals, with gross pathology suggestive of paratuberculosis, we isolated 34 Map strains. Of those, by the IS1311 PCR, 18 were categorized into the C‐type and nine into the S‐type; seven were not typed. We used a Bayesian approach to estimate the strain‐specific Ses. SeHEYM‐C‐faecal = 17% (95% credible interval: 7, 40) was higher than SeHEYM‐S‐faecal = 2% (0.3, 11). Also, SeHEYM‐C‐faecal was higher than SeLJ‐C‐faecal = 4% (1, 12). In pooled‐tissue samples, the strain‐specific Ses did not differ between the two media.
Efficacy of the Combination of Tachyplesin III and Clarithromycin in Rat Models of
Escherichia coli
Sepsis
Authors: Cirioni Oscar , Ghiselli Roberto , Silvestri Carmela , Kamysz Wojciech , Orlando Fiorenza , Riva Alessandra , Kamysz Elzbieta , Castelletti Sefora , Rocchi Marco , Saba Vittorio , Scalise Giorgio , Giacometti Andrea 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

We investigated the efficacy of tachyplesin III and clarithromycin in two experimental rat models of severe gram-negative bacterial infections. Adult male Wistar rats were given either (i) an intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg/kg
Escherichia coli
0111:B4 lipopolysaccharide or (ii) 2 × 10
10
CFU of
E. coli
ATCC 25922. For each model, the animals received isotonic sodium chloride solution, 1 mg/kg tachyplesin III, 50 mg/kg clarithromycin, or 1 mg/kg tachyplesin III combined with 50 mg/kg clarithromycin intraperitoneally. Lethality, bacterial growth in the blood and peritoneum, and the concentrations of endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in plasma were evaluated. All the compounds reduced the lethality of the infections compared to that for the controls. Tachyplesin III exerted a strong antimicrobial activity and achieved a significant reduction of endotoxin and TNF-α concentrations in plasma compared to those of the control and clarithromycin-treated groups. Clarithromycin exhibited no antimicrobial activity but had a good impact on endotoxin and TNF-α plasma concentrations. A combination of tachyplesin III and clarithromycin resulted in significant reductions in bacterial counts and proved to be the most-effective treatment in reducing all variables measured.
Role ofampDHomologs in Overproduction of AmpC in Clinical Isolates ofPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Schmidtke Amber J. , Hanson Nancy D. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTAmpD indirectly regulates the production of AmpC β-lactamase via the cell wall recycling pathway. Recent publications have demonstrated the presence of multipleampDgenes inPseudomonas aeruginosaandEscherichia coli. In the prototypeP. aeruginosastrain, PAO1, the threeampDgenes (ampD,ampDh2, andampDh3) contribute to a stepwise regulation ofampCβ-lactamase and help explain the partial versus full derepression ofampC. In the present study, the roles of the threeampDhomologs in nine clinicalP. aeruginosaisolates with either partial or full derepression ofampCwere evaluated. In eight of nine isolates, decreased RNA expression of theampDgenes was not associated with an increase inampCexpression. Sequence analyses revealed that every derepressed isolate carried mutations inampD, and in two fully derepressed strains, onlyampDwas mutated. Furthermore, everyampDh2gene was of the wild type, and in some fully derepressed isolates,ampDh3was also of the wild type. Mutations inampDandampDh3were tested for their effect on function by using a plasmid model system, and the observed mutations resulted in nonfunctional AmpD proteins. Therefore, although the sequential deletion of theampDhomologs ofP. aeruginosacan explain partial and full derepression in PAO1, the same model does not explain the overproduction of AmpC observed in these clinical isolates. Overall, the findings of the present study indicate that there is still an unknown factor(s) that contributes toampCregulation inP. aeruginosa.
In Vitro Activity of Doripenem, a Carbapenem for the Treatment of Challenging Infections Caused by Gram-Negative Bacteria, against Recent Clinical Isolates from the United States
Authors: Pillar Chris M. , Torres Mohana K. , Brown Nina P. , Shah Dineshchandra , Sahm Daniel F. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

Doripenem, a 1β-methylcarbapenem, is a broad-spectrum antibiotic approved for the treatment of complicated urinary tract and complicated intra-abdominal infections. An indication for hospital-acquired pneumonia including ventilator-associated pneumonia is pending. The current study examined the activity of doripenem against recent clinical isolates for the purposes of its ongoing clinical development and future longitudinal analysis. Doripenem and comparators were tested against 12,581 U.S. clinical isolates collected between 2005 and 2006 including isolates of
Staphylococcus aureus
, coagulase-negative staphylococci,
Streptococcus pneumoniae
,
Enterobacteriaceae
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, and
Acinetobacter
spp. MICs (μg/ml) were established by broth microdilution. By MIC
90
, doripenem was comparable to imipenem and meropenem in activity against
S. aureus
(methicillin susceptible, 0.06; resistant, 8) and
S. pneumoniae
(penicillin susceptible, ≤0.015; resistant, 1). Against ceftazidime-susceptible
Enterobacteriaceae
, the MIC
90
of doripenem (0.12) was comparable to that of meropenem (0.12) and superior to that of imipenem (2), though susceptibility of isolates exceeded 99% for all evaluated carbapenems. The activity of doripenem was not notably altered against ceftazidime-nonsusceptible or extended-spectrum β-lactamase screen-positive
Enterobacteriaceae
. Doripenem was the most potent carbapenem tested against
P. aeruginosa
(MIC
90
/% susceptibility [%S]: ceftazidime susceptible = 2/92%S, nonsusceptible = 16/61%S; imipenem susceptible = 1/98.5%S, nonsusceptible = 8/56%S). Against imipenem-susceptible
Acinetobacter
spp., doripenem (MIC
90
= 2, 89.1%S) was twice as active by MIC
90
as were imipenem and meropenem. Overall, doripenem potency was comparable to those of meropenem and imipenem against gram-positive cocci and doripenem was equal or superior in activity to meropenem and imipenem against
Enterobacteriaceae
, including β-lactam-nonsusceptible isolates. Doripenem was the most active carbapenem tested against
P. aeruginosa
regardless of β-lactam resistance.
Mucroporin, the First Cationic Host Defense Peptide from the Venom ofLychas mucronatus
Authors: Dai Chao , Ma Yibao , Zhao Zhenhuan , Zhao Ruiming , Wang Qian , Wu Yingliang , Cao Zhijian , Li Wenxin 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTThe misuse of antibiotics has led our age to a dangerous edge, as antibiotic-resistant pathogens appear to evolve more quickly than antibiotics are invented. Thus, new agents to treat bacterial infection are badly needed. Cationic host defense peptides are on the first line of a host defense system and are thought to be good candidates for treating bacterial infection. Here, a novel cationic host defense peptide, mucroporin, was cloned and characterized from the venom ofLychas mucronatus. The MIC forStaphylococcus aureuswas 25 μg/ml, including antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Based on the molecular template of mucroporin, mucroporin-M1 was designed by amino acid substitution. The MIC forS. aureuswas 5 μg/ml, including the antibiotic-resistant pathogens methicillin-resistantS. aureus, methicillin-resistant coagulase-negativeStaphylococcus, penicillin-resistantS. aureus, and penicillin-resistantS. epidermidis. Moreover, mucroporin-M1 also inhibited gram-negative bacteria. The modes of action of mucroporin and mucroporin-M1 were both rapid killing by disrupting the cell membrane of bacteria, and the number of surviving bacteria was reduced by about 4 to 5 orders of magnitude immediately after peptide delivery. These results showed that mucroporin could be considered a potential anti-infective drug, especially for treating antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
In Vivo Microdialysis Study of the Penetration of Daptomycin into Soft Tissues in Diabetic versus Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Kim Aryun , Suecof Larry A. , Sutherland Christina A. , Gao Lihong , Kuti Joseph L. , Nicolau David P. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

Daptomycin is approved for the treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections, including diabetic wounds of the lower extremities, at a dose of 4 mg/kg of body weight once daily. For such localized tissue infections, drug concentrations in the interstitial space are an important determinant of successful therapy. In the diabetic population, peripheral arterial disease may limit antibiotic penetration into the target tissue. The objective of this study was to describe and compare the pharmacokinetic profiles of daptomycin in the interstitial fluid of soft tissues in diabetic and healthy volunteers by using in vivo microdialysis. Twelve subjects (six diabetic and six healthy) received a single 4-mg/kg dose of daptomycin intravenously. Samples of plasma and tissue were simultaneously collected over 24 h. Diabetic and healthy groups were matched in mean age (±10 years), gender ratio, mean weight (±10 kg), and creatinine clearance rate (±20 ml/min/1.73 m
2
). Pharmacokinetic parameters for plasma were similar between groups (
P
> 0.05). The mean peak drug concentrations ± standard deviations in tissue were 4.3 ± 3.3 μg/ml and 3.8 ± 1.4 μg/ml for diabetic and healthy subjects, respectively. The degree of tissue penetration, defined as the ratio of the area under the free drug concentration-time curve for tissue to that for plasma, was 0.93 ± 0.61 for diabetic subjects and 0.74 ± 0.09 for healthy subjects (
P
= 0.46). Daptomycin at 4 mg/kg penetrated well into the soft tissue, reaching concentrations approximately 70 to 90% of those of the free drug in plasma. Moreover, these free, bioactive concentrations in tissue exceeded the MICs for staphylococci and streptococci over the 24-h dosing interval.
Effect of Concomitant Artesunate Administration and Cytochrome P4502C8 Polymorphisms on the Pharmacokinetics of Amodiaquine in Ghanaian Children with Uncomplicated Malaria
Authors: Adjei George O. , Kristensen Kim , Goka Bamenla Q. , Hoegberg Lotte C. G. , Alifrangis Michael , Rodrigues Onike P. , Kurtzhals Jorgen A. L. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTArtesunate (AS) is used in combination with amodiaquine (AQ) as first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria in many countries. We investigated the effect of concomitant AS administration on the pharmacokinetics of AQ and compared concentrations of desethylamodiaquine (DEAQ), the main metabolite of AQ, in plasma between patients with different variants of the cytochrome P4502C8 (CYP2C8) gene. A two-compartment model was fitted to 169 plasma DEAQ concentrations from 103 Ghanaian children aged 1 to 14 years with uncomplicated malaria treated either with AQ alone (n= 15) or with AS plus AQ (n= 88). The population clearance of DEAQ appeared to increase nonlinearly with body weight, and the central volume of distribution of DEAQ was higher (P< 0.001) in the AS-plus-AQ group than in the AQ-only group. The maximum plasma DEAQ concentration was higher (P< 0.001), and the population distribution half-life was shorter (P< 0.01), in the AQ-only group than in the AS-plus-AQ group. The total areas under the plasma DEAQ concentration-time curves (P= 0.68) and elimination half-lives (P= 0.39) were similar for the two groups. There was a high frequency (0.179) of the non-wild-type allele of CYP2C8, but no differences between CYP2C8 genotypes with regard to AQ efficacy or safety were evident. The sample size, however, was limited, so monitoring of AQ toxicity in the study area is still indicated. The nonlinear clearance of DEAQ and the wide variability in kinetic parameters have safety implications for weight-based dosing of higher-body-weight children with AQ. The pharmacokinetics of artemisinin combination therapies should be studied in malaria patients, because the rapid parasite clearance caused by the artemisinin may affect the kinetics of the partner drug and the combination.