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Selected Works

2012

Articles 61 - 90 of 398

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Differences In Membrane Acyl Phospholipid Composition Between An Endothermic Mammal And An Ectothermic Reptile Are Not Limited To Any Phospholipid Class, Stephen J. Blanksby, Todd W. Mitchell, Anthony J. Hulbert, Paul Else, K Ekroos Oct 2012

Differences In Membrane Acyl Phospholipid Composition Between An Endothermic Mammal And An Ectothermic Reptile Are Not Limited To Any Phospholipid Class, Stephen J. Blanksby, Todd W. Mitchell, Anthony J. Hulbert, Paul Else, K Ekroos

Stephen Blanksby

This study examined questions concerning differences in the acyl composition of membrane phospholipids that have been linked to the faster rates of metabolic processes in endotherms versus ectotherms. In liver, kidney, heart and brain of the ectothermic reptile, Trachydosaurus rugosus, and the endothermic mammal, Rattus norvegicus, previous findings of fewer unsaturates but a greater unsaturation index (UI) in membranes of the mammal versus those of the reptile were confirmed. Moreover, the study showed that the distribution of phospholipid head-group classes was similar in the same tissues of the reptile and mammal and that the differences in acyl composition were present …

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Oxidation Of 4-Substituted Tempo Derivatives Reveals Modifications At The 1- And 4-Positions, David Marshall, M L. Christian, G Gryn'ova, M L. Coote, Philip J. Barker, Stephen J. Blanksby Oct 2012

Oxidation Of 4-Substituted Tempo Derivatives Reveals Modifications At The 1- And 4-Positions, David Marshall, M L. Christian, G Gryn'ova, M L. Coote, Philip J. Barker, Stephen J. Blanksby

Stephen Blanksby

Potenital pathways for the deactivation of hindered amine light stabilisers (HALS) have been investigated by observing reactions of model compounds - based on 4-substituted derivatives of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) - with hydroxyl radicals. In these reactions, dilute aqueous suspensions of photocatalytic nanoparticulate titanium dioxide were irradiated with UV light in the presence of water-soluble TEMPO derivatives. Electron spin resonance (ESR) and electrospray ionisation mass-spectrometry (ESI-MS) data were acquired to provide complementary structural elucidation of the odd- and even-electron products of these reactions and both techniques show evidence for the formation of 4-oxo-TEMPO (TEMPONE). TEMPONE formation from the 4-substituted TEMPO compounds is …

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Direct Detection Of Additives And Degradation Products From Polymers By Liquid Extraction Surface Analysis Employing Chip-Based Nanospray Mass Spectrometry, Martin Paine, Phillip Barker, Shane A. Maclaughlin, Todd W. Mitchell, Stephen J. Blanksby Oct 2012

Direct Detection Of Additives And Degradation Products From Polymers By Liquid Extraction Surface Analysis Employing Chip-Based Nanospray Mass Spectrometry, Martin Paine, Phillip Barker, Shane A. Maclaughlin, Todd W. Mitchell, Stephen J. Blanksby

Stephen Blanksby

Rationale: Polymer-based surface coatings in outdoor applications experience accelerated degradation due to exposure to solar radiation, oxygen and atmospheric pollutants. These deleterious agents cause undesirable changes to the polymers aesthetic and mechanical properties reducing its lifetime. The use of antioxidants such as hindered amine light stabilisers (HALS) retard these degradative processes, however, mechanisms for HALS action and polymer degradation are poorly understood. Methods: Detection of the hindered amine light stabiliser (HALS) TINUVIN®123 (bis (1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate) and the polymer degradation products directly from a polyester-based coil coating was achieved by liquid extraction surface analysis (LESA) coupled to a triple quadrupole QTRAP® …

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Human Lens Lipids Differ Markedly From Those Of Commonly Used Experimental Animals, Jane Deeley, Todd W. Mitchell, Xiaojia Wei, Jurgen Korth, Jessica Hughes, Stephen J. Blanksby, Roger J. Truscott Oct 2012

Human Lens Lipids Differ Markedly From Those Of Commonly Used Experimental Animals, Jane Deeley, Todd W. Mitchell, Xiaojia Wei, Jurgen Korth, Jessica Hughes, Stephen J. Blanksby, Roger J. Truscott

Stephen Blanksby

Electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry has allowed the unambiguous identification andquantification of individual lens phospholipids in human and six animal models. Using this approach ca. 100unique phospholipids have been characterised. Parallel analysis of the same lens extracts by a novel directinsertionelectron-ionization technique found the cholesterol content of human lenses to be significantlyhigher (ca. 6 times) than lenses from the other animals.The most abundant phospholipids in all the lenses examined were choline-containing phospholipids. In rat,mouse, sheep, cow, pig and chicken, thesewere present largely as phosphatidylcholines, in contrast 66% of thetotal phospholipid in Homo sapienswas sphingomyelin, with the most abundant being dihydrosphingomyelins,in …

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Reactions Of Simple And Peptidic Alpha-Carboxylate Radical Anions With Dioxygen In The Gas Phase, Tony Ly, Benjamin B. Kirk, Pramesh I. Hettiarachchi, Berwyck L. Poad, Adam J. Trevitt, Gabriel Da Silva, Stephen J. Blanksby Oct 2012

Reactions Of Simple And Peptidic Alpha-Carboxylate Radical Anions With Dioxygen In The Gas Phase, Tony Ly, Benjamin B. Kirk, Pramesh I. Hettiarachchi, Berwyck L. Poad, Adam J. Trevitt, Gabriel Da Silva, Stephen J. Blanksby

Stephen Blanksby

α-Carboxylate radical anions are potential reactive intermediates in the free radical oxidation of biological molecules (e.g., fatty acids, peptides and proteins). We have synthesised well-defined α-carboxylate radical anions in the gas phase by UV laser photolysis of halogenated precursors in an ion-trap mass spectrometer. Reactions of isolated acetate (CH2CO 2-) and 1-carboxylatobutyl (CH3CH 2CH2CHCO2-) radical anions with dioxygen yield carbonate (CO3-) radical anions and this chemistry is shown to be a hallmark of oxidation in simple and alkyl-substituted cross-conjugated species. Previous solution phase studies have shown that Cα-radicals in peptides, formed from free radical damage, combine with dioxygen to form …

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Dissociation Mediates The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma And Hallucination-Proneness., F Varese, E Barkus, R P. Bentall Oct 2012

Dissociation Mediates The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma And Hallucination-Proneness., F Varese, E Barkus, R P. Bentall

Emma Barkus

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that the relationship between childhood trauma and hallucinations can be explained by dissociative processes. The present study examined whether the effect of childhood trauma on hallucination-proneness is mediated by dissociative tendencies. In addition, the influence of dissociative symptoms on a cognitive process believed to underlie hallucinatory experiences (i.e. reality discrimination; the capacity to discriminate between internal and external cognitive events) was also investigated.MethodPatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (n=45) and healthy controls (with no history of hallucinations; n=20) completed questionnaire measures of hallucination-proneness, dissociative tendencies and childhood trauma, as well as performing an auditory signal detection …

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Evidence For Specific Subunit Distribution And Interactions In The Quaternary Structure Of Α-Crystallin, Amie M. Morris, J. Andrew Aquilina Oct 2012

Evidence For Specific Subunit Distribution And Interactions In The Quaternary Structure Of Α-Crystallin, Amie M. Morris, J. Andrew Aquilina

J. A. Aquilina

The quaternary structure of α-crystallin is dynamic, a property which has thwarted crystallographic efforts towards structural characterization. In this study, we have used collision-induced dissociation mass spectrometry to examine the architecture of the polydisperse assemblies of α-crystallin. For total α-crystallin isolated directly from fetal calf lens using size-based chromatography, the αB-crystallin subunit was found to be preferentially dissociated from the oligomers, despite being significantly less abundant overall than the αA-crystallin subunits. Furthermore, upon mixing molar equivalents of purified αA- and αB-crystallin, the levels of their dissociation were found to decrease and increase, respectively, with time. Interestingly though, dissociation of subunits …

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Targeting C-Reactive Protein For The Treatment Of Cardiovascular Disease, Mark B. Pepys, Gideon M. Hirschfield, Glenys A. Tennent, J Ruth Gallimore, Melvyn C. Kahan, Vittorio Bellotti, Philip N. Hawkins, Rebecca M. Myers, Martin D. Smith, Alessandra Polara, Alexander J. A Cobb, Steven V. Ley, J. Andrew Aquilina, Carol V. Robinson, Isam Sharif, Gillian A. Gray, Caroline A. Sabin, Michelle C. Jenvey, Simon E. Kolstoe, Darren Thompson, Stephen P. Wood Oct 2012

Targeting C-Reactive Protein For The Treatment Of Cardiovascular Disease, Mark B. Pepys, Gideon M. Hirschfield, Glenys A. Tennent, J Ruth Gallimore, Melvyn C. Kahan, Vittorio Bellotti, Philip N. Hawkins, Rebecca M. Myers, Martin D. Smith, Alessandra Polara, Alexander J. A Cobb, Steven V. Ley, J. Andrew Aquilina, Carol V. Robinson, Isam Sharif, Gillian A. Gray, Caroline A. Sabin, Michelle C. Jenvey, Simon E. Kolstoe, Darren Thompson, Stephen P. Wood

J. A. Aquilina

Complement-mediated inflammation exacerbates the tissue injury of ischaemic necrosis in heart attacks and strokes, the most common causes of death in developed countries. Large infarct size increases immediate morbidity and mortality and, in survivors of the acute event, larger non-functional scars adversely affect long-term prognosis. There is thus an important unmet medical need for new cardioprotective and neuroprotective treatments. We have previously shown that human C-reactive protein (CRP), the classical acute-phase protein that binds to ligands exposed in damaged tissue and then activates complement1, increases myocardial and cerebral infarct size in rats subjected to coronary or cerebral artery ligation, respectively2,3. …

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Understanding The Α-Crystallin Cell Membrane Conjunction, Shih-Ping Su, Jason D. Mcarthur, Michael G. Friedrich, Roger J. W Truscott, J. A. Aquilina Oct 2012

Understanding The Α-Crystallin Cell Membrane Conjunction, Shih-Ping Su, Jason D. Mcarthur, Michael G. Friedrich, Roger J. W Truscott, J. A. Aquilina

J. A. Aquilina

PURPOSE. It is well established that levels of soluble α-crystallin in the lens cytoplasm fall steadily with age, accompanied by a corresponding increase in the amount of membrane-bound α-crystallin. Less well understood, is the mechanism driving this age-dependent membrane association. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the membrane and its associated proteins and peptides in the binding of α-crystallin. METHODS. Fibre cell membranes from human and bovine lenses were separated from soluble proteins by centrifugation. Membranes were stripped of associated proteins with successive aqueous, urea and alkaline solutions. Protein constituents of the respective membrane isolates …

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Tandem Mass Spectrometry Reveals The Quaternary Organization Of Macromolecular Assemblies, J L Benesch, Andrew Aquilina, Brandon T. Ruotolo, Frank Sobott, C V Robinson Oct 2012

Tandem Mass Spectrometry Reveals The Quaternary Organization Of Macromolecular Assemblies, J L Benesch, Andrew Aquilina, Brandon T. Ruotolo, Frank Sobott, C V Robinson

J. A. Aquilina

The application of mass spectrometry (MS) to the study of progressively larger and more complex macromolecular assemblies is proving increasingly useful for structural biologists. The scope of this approach has recently been widened through the application of a tandem MS procedure. This two-step technique involves the selection of specific assemblies in the gas phase, and inducing their dissociation through collisions with argon atoms. Here we investigate the mechanism of this process and show that dissociation of subunits from a macromolecular assembly follows a sequential pathway, with the partitioning of charge between the dissociation products governed primarily by their relative surface …

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The Major Toxin From The Australian Common Brown Snake Is A Hexamer With Unusual Gas-Phase Dissociation Properties, Andrew Aquilina Oct 2012

The Major Toxin From The Australian Common Brown Snake Is A Hexamer With Unusual Gas-Phase Dissociation Properties, Andrew Aquilina

J. A. Aquilina

Asymmetric dissociation of multiply charged proteins assemblies has been frequently reported. This phenomenon, which relies on the dissociation of one or more highly charged monomers, has been shown to provide insights into the structure and organization of large monodisperse and polydisperse assemblies. Here, the process of asymmetric dissociation is investigated using the multi-subunit protein, textilotoxin, which has unusually high structural constraints on its monomers due to multiple disulfide linkages. Initially, it is shown that, contrary to previous reports, textilotoxin is made up of 6, rather than 5 subunits. Furthermore, the hexamer exists as two isoforms, one of which is substantially …

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Bush Lemons And Beach Hauling: Evolving Traditions And New Thinking For Protected Areas Management And Aboriginal Peoples In New South Wales, Michael Adams, Vanessa Cavanagh, Bridget Edmunds Oct 2012

Bush Lemons And Beach Hauling: Evolving Traditions And New Thinking For Protected Areas Management And Aboriginal Peoples In New South Wales, Michael Adams, Vanessa Cavanagh, Bridget Edmunds

Michael Adams

Aboriginal communities in New South Wales currently are engaged in negotiating with government agencies about cultural activities focussing on access to and harvest of wild resources on and off protected areas. These are ‘co-management’ situations in the broadest sense, where both Indigenous peoples and protected area management agencies actively are engaged in the same landscape. Aboriginal peoples are using adaptive approaches to continue millennia of cultural traditions in social and physical environments that are significantly changed and changing. Some protected area managers are seeking to understand and adapt agency responses, so as to engage and support Aboriginal interests. These contrasting …

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Air-Drying Of Banana: Influence Of Experimental Parameters, Slab Thickness, Banana Maturity And Harvesting Season, Minh-Hue Nguyen, William E. Price Oct 2012

Air-Drying Of Banana: Influence Of Experimental Parameters, Slab Thickness, Banana Maturity And Harvesting Season, Minh-Hue Nguyen, William E. Price

William E. Price

Air-drying of banana slabs has been investigated and the influence of experimental parameters such as temperature, relative humidity and slab thickness has been studied. This was in part re-investigated because of inconsistencies in previous studies, particularly in relation to derived water diffusion coefficients. In addition, it is shown that harvest season and hence initial moisture content has a very marked influence on the drying kinetics. By contrast banana maturity (ripeness) has little influence on the kinetics despite there being significant differences in morphology and chemical composition between green and ripe bananas. The effect of these two variables on the drying …

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Increased Probiotic Yogurt Or Resistant Starch Intake Does Not Affect Isoflavone Bioavailability In Subjects Consuming A High Soy Diet, Theresa A. Larkin, William E. Price, Lee B. Astheimer Oct 2012

Increased Probiotic Yogurt Or Resistant Starch Intake Does Not Affect Isoflavone Bioavailability In Subjects Consuming A High Soy Diet, Theresa A. Larkin, William E. Price, Lee B. Astheimer

William E. Price

Objective: Probiotics and prebiotics that affect gut microflora balance and its associated enzymeactivity may contribute to interindividual variation in isoflavone absorption after soy intake, possiblyenhancing isoflavone bioavailability. This study examined the effects of the consumption ofbioactive yogurt (a probiotic) or resistant starch (a known prebiotic) in combination with high soyintake on soy isoflavone bioavailability.Methods: Using a crossover design, chronic soy consumption was compared with soy plusprobiotic yogurt or resistant starch in older male and postmenopausal females (n 31). Isoflavonebioavailability was assessed at the beginning and end of each 5-wk dietary period by samplingplasma and urine after a standardized soy meal.Results: …

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Fractionation Of Sedimentary Arsenic From Port Kembla Harbour, Nsw, Australia, Glennys A. O'Brien, William E. Price, Bryan E. Chenhall, Muhammad Damris Oct 2012

Fractionation Of Sedimentary Arsenic From Port Kembla Harbour, Nsw, Australia, Glennys A. O'Brien, William E. Price, Bryan E. Chenhall, Muhammad Damris

William E. Price

The binding of arsenic in sediments of the heavily industrialised Port Kembla Harbour, NSW, Australia, has been investigated. Both dredge and core samples have been used to develop a sieving/sequential extraction (SE) procedure. Dredge samples included oxic surficial and deeper anoxic sediment. The main core sample analysed was 18 cm deep, sliced at 2 cm intervals. Sediment was sieved to three size ranges (250 microm) and each of these was then subjected to a four step SE, sequentially solubilizing arsenic as ion exchangeable, 1 M HCl soluble, NH(2)OH.HCl soluble, and strong oxidising acid soluble. Concentrations of 50-500 mg As kg(-1) …

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A Fragmentation Study Of Isoflavones In Negative Electrospray Ionization By Msn Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry And Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry, Jinguo Kang, Larry A. Hick, William E. Price Oct 2012

A Fragmentation Study Of Isoflavones In Negative Electrospray Ionization By Msn Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry And Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry, Jinguo Kang, Larry A. Hick, William E. Price

William E. Price

This study has elucidated the fragmentation pathway for deprotonated isoflavones in electrospray ionization using MSn ion trap mass spectrometry and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Genistein-d4 and daidzein-d3 were used as references for the clarification of fragment structures. To confirm the relationship between precursor and product ions, some fragments were traced from MS2 to MS5. The previous literature for the structurally related flavones and flavanones located the loss of ketene (C2H2O) to ring C, whereas the present fragmentation study for isoflavones has shown that the loss of ketene occurs elsewhere at ring A. In the further fragmentation of the [M-H-CH3]•- radical …

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Tissue Distribution Of Lignans In Rats In Response To Diet, Dose-Response, And Competition With Isoflavones, Timothy Murray, J. Kang, Lee Astheimer, William E. Price Oct 2012

Tissue Distribution Of Lignans In Rats In Response To Diet, Dose-Response, And Competition With Isoflavones, Timothy Murray, J. Kang, Lee Astheimer, William E. Price

William E. Price

This paper investigates the occurrence and distribution of the lignan metabolites enterodiol (END) and enterolactone (ENL) and the isoflavone daidzein (DAID) in rat tissues using liquid chromatography - electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (LC – ESI/MSn) following a variety of dietary regimes. Further, we examined the dose-response and distribution of END and ENL in liver, testes, prostate and lung, and investigated the effects of competition between lignans and isoflavones on metabolite distribution. In liver, testes, prostate & lung tissue, dose related increases in END concentration were observed. In the testes, the co-administration of 60 mg/kg SDG with 60 mg/kg isoflavones produced …

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Effect Of Organic Solvents On The Separation Of Benzoic Acids By Capillary Electrophoresis, Young J. Lee, William E. Price, Margaret Sheil Oct 2012

Effect Of Organic Solvents On The Separation Of Benzoic Acids By Capillary Electrophoresis, Young J. Lee, William E. Price, Margaret Sheil

William E. Price

The effect of organic modifiers on the separation of a number of closely related isomeric benzoic acids by capillary electrophoresis is described. It is shown that while a single modifier concentration cannot help resolve the entire electropherogram, organic modifiers do significantly enhance the resolution of parts of the separation system by comparison with 40 mmol l-1 phosphate buffer. The effects on separation and retention times are discussed in terms of the effects on electroosmotic flow and the electrophoretic mobilities of the charged solutes. The effects were found to be modifier specific, although the trends were in the same direction (ie., …

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Occurrence Of Phytoestrogens In Municipal Wastewater And Surface Waters, Jinguo Kang, William E. Price Oct 2012

Occurrence Of Phytoestrogens In Municipal Wastewater And Surface Waters, Jinguo Kang, William E. Price

William E. Price

Phytoestrogens (isoflavones, enterolignans and coumestrol) in wastewater samples and surface water samples have been analysed by LC-ESI-MSn. In wastewater samples, high levels of enterolactone (581 – 2111 ng/L), daidzein (341 – 1688 ng/L) and enterodiol (60 – 834 ng/L) were detected in raw sewage, but the vast majority of the analysed phytoestrogens were removed effectively in treatment process. The removal rates of the analysed phytoestrogens in the two advanced tertiary treatment plants were > 99%; a case study in one of the treatment plants showed that most of the residual phytoestrogens were removed by biological treatment using activated sludge. In surface …

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Corrigendum To ‘‘The Chaperone Action Of Bovine Milk As1- And As2-Caseins And Their Associated Form As-Casein’’ [Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 510 (2011) 42–52], Teresa M. Treweek, David C. Thorn, William E. Price, John A. Carver Oct 2012

Corrigendum To ‘‘The Chaperone Action Of Bovine Milk As1- And As2-Caseins And Their Associated Form As-Casein’’ [Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 510 (2011) 42–52], Teresa M. Treweek, David C. Thorn, William E. Price, John A. Carver

William E. Price

No abstract provided.

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The Effect Of Dextran On Subunit Exchange Of Αa-Crystallin, A. Ghahghaei, A. Rekas, W. E. Price, J. A. Carver Oct 2012

The Effect Of Dextran On Subunit Exchange Of Αa-Crystallin, A. Ghahghaei, A. Rekas, W. E. Price, J. A. Carver

William E. Price

α-Crystallin, a member of small heat shock protein (sHsp) family, is comprised of αA and αB subunits and acts as a molecular chaperone by interacting with unfolding proteins to prevent their aggregation. The αA-crystallin homopolymer consists of 30-40 subunits that are undergoing dynamic exchange. α-Crystallin and αA-crystallin are poorer chaperones in the presence of the crowding agent, dextran. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer, it is shown that the αAcrystallin subunit exchange rate strongly increased with temperature. Binding of reduced ovotransferrin to αA-crystallin markedly decreases the rate of subunit exchange, as does the presence of dextran. In addition, in the presence …

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The Key Importance Of Soy Isoflavone Bioavailability To Understanding Health Benefits, T. A. Larkin, William E. Price, L. Astheimer Oct 2012

The Key Importance Of Soy Isoflavone Bioavailability To Understanding Health Benefits, T. A. Larkin, William E. Price, L. Astheimer

William E. Price

Research over the past two decades has provided significant epidemiological and other evidence for the health benefits of the consumption of soy-based foods. A large number of dietary intervention studies have examined the effects of soy isoflavones on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and hormone-dependent cancers. However, these report large variability in outcome measures, very limited reproducibility between studies and in some cases, controversy between results of clinical trials using dietary soy or soy protein and isoflavone supplementation. This highlights a major gap in our understanding of soy isoflavone uptake, metabolism, distribution, and overall bioavailability. There are many potential factors …

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Using Calibration Approaches To Compensate For Remaining Matrix Effects In Quantitative Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Multistage Mass Spectrometric Analysis Of Phytoestrogens In Aqueous Environmental Samples, Jinguo Kang, Larry A. Hick, William E. Price Oct 2012

Using Calibration Approaches To Compensate For Remaining Matrix Effects In Quantitative Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Multistage Mass Spectrometric Analysis Of Phytoestrogens In Aqueous Environmental Samples, Jinguo Kang, Larry A. Hick, William E. Price

William E. Price

Signal suppression is a common problem in quantitative LC-ESI-MSn analysis in environment samples, especially in highly loaded wastewater samples with highly complex matrix. Optimization of sample preparation and improvement of chromatographic separation are prerequisite to improve reproducibility and selectivity. Matrix components may be reduced if not eliminated by a series of sample preparation steps. However, extensive sample preparation can be time-consuming and risk the significant loss of some trace analytes. The best way to further compensate matrix effects is the use of internal standard for each analyte. However, in a multi-component analysis, finding appropriate internal standards for every analyte is …

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Variations In Climatic Parameters And Food Crop Yields: Implications On Food Security In Benue State, Nigeria., Emmanuel Adamgbe, Fanan Ujoh Oct 2012

Variations In Climatic Parameters And Food Crop Yields: Implications On Food Security In Benue State, Nigeria., Emmanuel Adamgbe, Fanan Ujoh

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Agricultural production in Nigeria like in other developing countries is highly vulnerable to variations in climatic parameters which may have inverse or direct effect on the performance of food crops. This paper examines the patterns and trends of the variations in the climatic parameters and the implications of such variations on efficient yield rates of some food crops in Benue State using data on climatic variables (rainfall, temperature, sunshine) and the yield of some crops per hectare for 25 years (1986-2010). Data on the climatic variables were collected from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, AirForce Base, Makurdi while the data on …

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Dissecting The Workforce And Workplace For Clinical Endocrinology, And The Work Of Endocrinologists Early In Their Careers, Claude Desjardins, Mark A. Bach, Anne R. Cappola, Ellen W. Seely, Ronald G. Ehrenberg Oct 2012

Dissecting The Workforce And Workplace For Clinical Endocrinology, And The Work Of Endocrinologists Early In Their Careers, Claude Desjardins, Mark A. Bach, Anne R. Cappola, Ellen W. Seely, Ronald G. Ehrenberg

Ronald G. Ehrenberg

[Excerpt] No national mechanism is in place for an informed, penetrating, and systematic assessment of the physician workforce such as that achieved by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the periodic evaluation of the nation’s scientists and engineers. Likewise, knowledge of the workforce for clinical research is enigmatic and fragmentary despite the serial recommendations of “blue-ribbon” panels to establish a protocol for the recurrent assessment of clinical investigators early in their careers. Failure to adopt a national system for producing timely, high-quality data on the professional activities of physicians limits the application of improvement tools for advancing clinical investigation and …

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How Can Pacific Island Economies Benefits From The Advent Of Ict’S – Review Of Best Practices In Education, Deogratias Harorimana Sr Oct 2012

How Can Pacific Island Economies Benefits From The Advent Of Ict’S – Review Of Best Practices In Education, Deogratias Harorimana Sr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

This paper explored implementation and use of information and communication technologies in Fiji, in order to gain insight into recent government initiatives to introduce computers and other ICTs for the community of Fiji. The focus of this paper in that it provided the framework for an in-depth exploration of e-learning centers around the country and the benefits from the advent of ICT’s in e-learning community centers in Fiji. Areas concentrated on are outcome of ICT’s in formal education to students and community as a whole in areas of agriculture, health, environment and infrastructure etc. The research sought understanding from the …

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Comparison Of Phenolic Compounds And Antioxidant Capacities Of Traditional Sorghum Beers With Other Alcoholic Beverages, Fatouma Abdoul-Latif, Romaric G. Bayili, Louis C. Obame, Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof. Oct 2012

Comparison Of Phenolic Compounds And Antioxidant Capacities Of Traditional Sorghum Beers With Other Alcoholic Beverages, Fatouma Abdoul-Latif, Romaric G. Bayili, Louis C. Obame, Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof.

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

Thirty samples of sorghum beers “dolo” were selected from traditionally fermented household manufacturers from Burkina Faso. Dolo samples were screened for their total phenolic content, proanthocyanidins and putative antioxidant capacities, and were compared with industrial beers and wines. Total phenols were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Proanthocyanidins content were determined by the method of HCl-butanol hydrolysis. Antioxidant activities were evaluated both with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and by the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) using 2,2’-azinobis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical) (ABTS•+). The average contents of total phenols and proanthocyanidins were 506 μg GAE/ml of dolo and 45 μg APE/ml of dolo, respectively. An …

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Group Cohesion And Homework Adherence In Multi-Family Group Therapy For Schizophrenia, Frank P. Deane, Joanne Mercer, Anahita Talyarkhan, Gordon Lambert, Judy Pickard Oct 2012

Group Cohesion And Homework Adherence In Multi-Family Group Therapy For Schizophrenia, Frank P. Deane, Joanne Mercer, Anahita Talyarkhan, Gordon Lambert, Judy Pickard

Frank Deane

This study examined the relationship between levels of group cohesion, defined as whole group relationships, and between-session therapeutic homework adherence in a multi-family group therapy (MFGT) for people with schizophrenia. Participants from 18 consenting families attending MFGT groups completed weekly homework adherence ratings, group cohesion and spontaneous between-session activity measures. Levels of group cohesion at each session were compared with measures of scheduled and spontaneous homework adherence reported at the next session. It was hypothesised that higher levels of group cohesion would be related to homework adherence and other spontaneous between-session therapeutic activity completed by group members. Results show higher …

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Study Protocol: A Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Computer-Based Depression And Substance Abuse Intervention For People Attending Residential Substance Abuse Treatment, Peter J. Kelly, Frances Kay-Lambkin, Amanda Baker, Frank P. Deane, Adam C. Brooks, Alexandra Mitchell, Sarah Marshall, Meredith Whittington, Genevieve A. Dingle Oct 2012

Study Protocol: A Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Computer-Based Depression And Substance Abuse Intervention For People Attending Residential Substance Abuse Treatment, Peter J. Kelly, Frances Kay-Lambkin, Amanda Baker, Frank P. Deane, Adam C. Brooks, Alexandra Mitchell, Sarah Marshall, Meredith Whittington, Genevieve A. Dingle

Frank Deane

"Background: A large proportion of people attending residential alcohol and other substance abuse treatment have a co-occurring mental illness. Empirical evidence suggests that it is important to treat both the substance abuse problem and co-occurring mental illness concurrently and in an integrated fashion. However, the majority of residential alcohol and other substance abuse services do not address mental illness in a systematic way. It is likely that computer delivered interventions could improve the ability of substance abuse services to address co-occurring mental illness. This protocol describes a study in which we will assess the effectiveness of adding a computer delivered …

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Regional Development And Local Government: Three Generations Of Federal Intervention, Andrew H. Kelly, Brian Dollery, Bligh Grant Oct 2012

Regional Development And Local Government: Three Generations Of Federal Intervention, Andrew H. Kelly, Brian Dollery, Bligh Grant

Bligh Grant

Contemporary Australian local government faces several daunting problems, not least escalating financial un-sustainability and local infrastructure depletion. The main response of the various state and territory governments has taken the form of a series structural reform programs, with a strong emphasis on forced amalgamation. However, widespread dissatisfaction with the consequences of these compulsory consolidation programs has led to a search for alternative policy solutions based largely on shared services and various types of regional co-operation between local councils. This paper seeks to place proposed ‘regional’ solutions to contemporary problems in historical perspective by providing a comparative account of three distinct …

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