Human response to vibration in residential environments, technical report 1 : measurement of vibration exposure

The Technical Report 1 describes the research undertaken to develop a method by which human exposure to vibration in residential environments can be assessed. That work has been carried out by the University of Salford supported by the Department of environment food and rural affairs (Defra). The overall aim of the project is to derive exposure-response relationships for human vibration in residential environments. This document in particular focuses on the equipment and methodology employed to measure vibration from different sources. The main objective of this report is to describe the practical experience of implementing a vibration measurement protocol. Reported here are findings obtained in the field measurements and a description of a feasible method for measuring vibration for different sources. In addition, controlled tests performed to determine the suitability of the vibration mounting for various practical situations are reported

Omnidirectional acoustic absorber with a porous core and a metamaterial matching layer

An omnidirectional sound absorber based on the acoustic analogy of the electromagnetic metamaterial “black hole” has been developed and tested. The resulting structure is composed of a hollow cylindrical porous absorbing core and a graded index matching layer which employs multiple rods of varying size and spacing to gradually adjust the impedance of the air to that of the porous absorbing core. A semi-analytical model is developed, and the practical challenges and their implications with respect to performance are considered. A full size device is built and tested in an anechoic chamber and the semi-analytical model used in the design process is validated. Finally, the theory is extended to allow for losses in the metamaterial matching layer, and it is shown that improved performance may be achieved with a dual purpose layer which acts as an absorber whilst also providing the required impedance matching condition

Multiple publications: The main reason for the retraction of papers in computer science

This paper intends to review the reasons for the retraction over the last decade. The paper particularly aims at reviewing these reasons with reference to computer science field to assist authors in comprehending the style of writing. To do that, a total of thirty-six retracted papers found on the Web of Science within Jan 2007 through July 2017 are explored. Given the retraction notices which are based on ten common reasons, this paper classifies the two main categories, namely random and nonrandom retraction. Retraction due to the duplication of publications scored the highest proportion of all other reasons reviewed

Bacterial microevolution and the Pangenome

The comparison of multiple genome sequences sampled from a bacterial population reveals considerable diversity in both the core and the accessory parts of the pangenome. This diversity can be analysed in terms of microevolutionary events that took place since the genomes shared a common ancestor, especially deletion, duplication, and recombination. We review the basic modelling ingredients used implicitly or explicitly when performing such a pangenome analysis. In particular, we describe a basic neutral phylogenetic framework of bacterial pangenome microevolution, which is not incompatible with evaluating the role of natural selection. We survey the different ways in which pangenome data is summarised in order to be included in microevolutionary models, as well as the main methodological approaches that have been proposed to reconstruct pangenome microevolutionary history

Copper deficiency and effects of copper supplementation in a herd of red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Copper (Cu) deficiency was diagnosed in a Norwegian red deer (Cervus elaphus) herd subsequent to deaths due to emaciation in late autumn 1999. The animals had free access to salt licks containing 3000 mg Cu/kg. An evaluation of the herd revealed poor calf growth rate, low weights of adult hinds, dull and light-coloured hair coats and cases of diarrhoea. The herd was subsequently monitored throughout a three-year period of Cu-supplementation. The monitoring regimen included clinical observation, copper serum examination, weighing, faecal parasitological examination, and reproduction control by ultrasound. During the period January 2000 to May 2001, the animals were treated with Cu oxid capsules (1 g CuO/10 kg liveweight) at 2–4 months intervals, with the exception of March to September 2000. The animals were fed continuously with Cu-enriched concentrates containing 300 mg Cu/kg, at a rate of 1/2 kg per head and day, from May 2001 to January 2003. Following both copper supplementation regimens adequate serum Cu concentrations were measured, and markedly improved body weights, coat quality and reproductive results were observed, except for the period from March to September 2000 when no treatment was given. The results showed that in a deer herd, with a diet low in Cu, supplementation with CuO capsules had to be given at intervals of a few months to maintain adequate serum Cu levels. Free access to Cu-containing salt licks did not meet the animals' Cu demand. Good and stable results were achieved by the daily feeding of Cu-enriched concentrates

Diets containing sea cucumber (Isostichopus badionotus) meals are hypocholesterolemic in young rats

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Determining the neurotransmitter concentration profile at active synapses

Establishing the temporal and concentration profiles of neurotransmitters during synaptic release is an essential step towards understanding the basic properties of inter-neuronal communication in the central nervous system. A variety of ingenious attempts has been made to gain insights into this process, but the general inaccessibility of central synapses, intrinsic limitations of the techniques used, and natural variety of different synaptic environments have hindered a comprehensive description of this fundamental phenomenon. Here, we describe a number of experimental and theoretical findings that has been instrumental for advancing our knowledge of various features of neurotransmitter release, as well as newly developed tools that could overcome some limits of traditional pharmacological approaches and bring new impetus to the description of the complex mechanisms of synaptic transmission

Long-term postharvest aroma evolution of tomatoes with the alcobaça (alc) mutation

The postharvest evolution of Penjar tomatoes has been studied in four accessions representative of the variability of the varietal type. The long-term shelf life of these materials, which carry the alc allele, was confirmed with 31.2-59.1% of commercial fruits after 6 months of effective conservation at room temperature and a limited loss of weight (21.1-27.9%). Aroma in Penjar tomatoes is differentiated from other tomato varieties by a characteristic 'sharp-floral' aroma descriptor. The evolution of the 'sharp-floral' aroma during postharvest showed a peak of intensity at 2 months of postharvest, though in one accession a delay of 2 months in this response was detected. Out of 25 volatiles analysed, including main and background notes, a reverse iPLS variable selection revealed that the main candidates behind this aromatic behaviour are ¿-terpineol, trans-2-hexenal, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, trans-2-octenal, ¿-pinene, ß-ionone, 2 + 3-methylbutanol and phenylacetaldehyde. Between harvest and 2 months postharvest, most compounds reduced considerably their concentration, while the intensity of the 'sharp-floral' descriptor increased, which means that probably there is a rearrangement of the relative concentrations among volatiles that may lead to masking/unmasking processes. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.This work was supported by grants from the Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentacio de la Comunidad Valenciana, the Fundacion de la Comunidad Valenciana para la Investigacion Agroalimentaria (AGROALIMED) and from the Departament d'Agricultura, Alimentacio i Accio Rural (DAR) de la Generalitat de Catalunya.Casals Missio, J.; Cebolla Cornejo, J.; Rosello Ripolles, S.; Beltran Arandes, J.; Casanas, F.; Nuez Viñals, F. (2011). Long-term postharvest aroma evolution of tomatoes with the alcobaça (alc) mutation. European Food Research and Technology. 233(2):331-342. doi:10.1007/s00217-011-1517-6S3313422332Petro-Turza M (1987) Flavor of tomato and tomato products. Food Rev Int 2:309–351Butterry RG (1993) Quantitative and sensory aspects of flavor of tomato and other vegetables and fruits. In: Acree TE, Teranishi R (eds) Flavor science: sensible principles and techniques. American Chemical Society, WashingtonGoff SA, Klee HJ (2006) Plant volatile compounds: sensory cues for health and nutritional value? Science 311:815–819Tieman DM, Zeigler M, Schmelz EA, Taylor MG, Bliss P, Kirst M, Klee MJ (2006) Identification of loci affecting flavour volatile emissions in tomato fruits. J Exp Bot 57:887–896Zanor MI, Rambla JL, Chaïb J, Steppa A, Medina A, Granell A, Fernie AR, Causse M (2009) Metabolic characterization of loci affecting sensory attributes allows an assessment of the influence of the levels of primary metabolites and volatile organic contents. 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HortScience 22:632–634Baldwin EA, Scott JW, Shewmaker CK, Schuch W (2000) Flavor trivia and tomato aroma: biochemistry and possible mechanisms for control of important aroma components. HortScience 35:1013–1022Kovács K, Rupert CF, Tikunov Y, Graham N, Bradley G, Seymour GB, Bovy AG, Grierson D (2009) Effect of pleiotropic ripening mutations on flavour volatile biosynthesis. Phytochemistry 70:1003–1008Gao HY, Zhu BZ, Zhu HL, Zhang YL, Xie YH, Li YC, Luo YB (2007) Effect of suppression of ethylene biosynthesis on flavour products in tomato fruits. Russ J Plant Physiol 54:80–88Lewinsohn E, Sitrit Y, Bar E, Azulay Y, Meir A, Zamir D, Tadmor Y (2005) Carotenoid pigmentation affects the volatile composition of tomato and watermelon fruits, as revealed by comparative genetic analyses. J Agric Food Chem 53:3142–3148Kopeliovitch E, Mizrahi Y, Rabinowitch D, Kedar N (1980) Physiology of the mutant alcobaca. Physiol Plant 48:307–311Casals J, Pacual L, Cañizares J, Cebolla-Cornejo J, Casañas F, Nuez F (2011) Genetic basis of long shelf life and variability into Penjar tomato. Genet Resour Crop Evol. doi: 10.1007/s10722-011-9677-6Kuzyomenskii AV (2007) Effect of cumulative polymery of tomato keeping life genes. Cytol Genet 41:268–275Paran I, van der Knaap E (2007) Genetic and molecular regulation of fruit and plant domestication traits in tomato and pepper. J Exp Bot 58:3841–3852Moretti CL, Baldwin EA, Sargent SA, Huber DJ (2002) Internal bruising alters aroma volatile profiles in tomato fruit tisúes. HortScience 37:378–382Buttery RG, Teranishi R, Ling LC (1987) Fresh tomato aroma volatiles: a qualitative study. J Agric Food Chem 35:540–544Romero del Castillo R, Valero J, Casañas F, Costell E (2008) Training validation and maintenance of a panel to evaluate the texture of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). J Sens Stud 23:303–319Beltran J, Serrano E, López FJ, Peruga A, Valcárcel M, Roselló S (2006) Comparison of two quantitative GC-MS methods for analysis of tomato aroma based on purge-and-trap and on solid-phase microextraction. Anal Bioanal Chem 385:1255–1264Martens H, Naes T (1989) Multivariate Calibration. Wiley, New YorkWise BM, Gallagher NB, Bro R, Shaver JM, Windig W, Koch RS (2006) Chemometrics tutorial for PLS_Toolbox and Solo. Eigenvector Research, WenatcheeHongsoongnern P, Chambers E (2008) A lexicon for texture and flavor characteristics of fresh and processed tomatoes. J Sens Stud 23:583–599Norgaard L, Saudland A, Wagner J, Nielsen JP, Munck L, Engelsen SB (2000) Interval partial least-squares regression (iPLS): A comparative chemometric study with an example from near-infrared spectroscopy. Appl Spectrosc 54:413–419Javanmardi J, Kubota C (2006) Variation of lycopene, antioxidant activity, total soluble solids and weight loss of tomato during postharvest storage. Postharvest Biol Technol 41:151–155Kader AA (1986) Effects of postharvest handling procedures on tomato quality. Acta Hort 190:209–222Maul F, Sargent SA, Sims CA, Baldwin EA, Balaban MO, Huber DJ (2000) Tomato flavor and aroma quality as affected by storage temperature. J Food Sci 65:1228–1237Krumbein A, Auerswald H (1998) Characterization of aroma volatiles in tomatoes by sensory analyses. Nahrung 6:S395–S399Tandon KS, Baldwin EA, Shewfelt RL (2000) Aroma perception of individual volatile compounds in fresh tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) as affected by the medium of evaluation. Postharvest Biol Technol 20:261–268Cebolla-Cornejo J, Roselló S, Valcárcel M, Serrano E, Beltran J, Nuez F (2011) Evaluation of genotype and environment effects on taste and aroma flavour components of Spanish fresh tomato varieties. J Agric Food Chem 59:2440–2450Carbonell-Barrachina AA, Agustí A, Ruiz JJ (2006) Analysis of flavor volatile compounds by dynamic headspace in traditional and hybrid cultivars of Spanish tomatoes. Eur Food Res Technol 222:536–542Alonso A, Vázquez-Araújo L, García-Martínez S, Ruiz JJ, Carbonell Barrachina AA (2009) Volatile compounds of traditional and virus-resistant breeding lines of Muchamiel tomatoes. Eur Food Res Technol 230:315–323Liggett E, Drake MA, Delwiche JF (2008) Impact of flavor attributes on consumer liking of Swiss cheese. J Dairy Sci 91:466–476Ortiz-Serrano P, Gil JV (2007) Quantitation of free and glycosidically bound volatiles in and effect of glycosidase addition on three tomato varieties (Solanum lycopersicum L.). J Agric Food Chem 55:9170–9176Xu Y, Barringer S (2010) Comparison of tomatillo and tomato volatile compounds in the headspace by selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS). 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The presentation, clinical features, complications, and treatment of congenital dacryocystocele

Purpose To determine the incidence and presenting features of congenital dacryocystocele in the United Kingdom. To report on those cases complicated by dacryocystitis, respiratory compromise, and the treatment undertaken. Methods A prospective observational study of cases of congenital dacryocystocele presenting in the United Kingdom between September 2014 and October 2015. Infants <3 months of age presenting with a cystic swelling in the medial canthal area were included. Cases were identified via the British Ophthalmology Surveillance Unit (BOSU) reporting system. Results A total of 49 cases were reported during the study period. This gives an incidence of 1 in 18 597 live births. There was a 71% response rate to the questionnaire. The average age at presentation was 16.94 days. Dacryocystoceles were unilateral in 91% of cases. Dacryocystitis was a complicating factor in 49% of patients and 17% had respiratory distress. Uncomplicated dacryocystocele responded well to conservative measures in 86%. Surgical intervention was required in 23% of patients. Those cases complicated by dacryocystitis (29%) and nasal obstruction (17%) were more likely to require surgical intervention compared to those with dacryocystocele alone (14%). Digital massage appears to reduce the likelihood of requiring surgical intervention. The mean time to resolution was 19 days. Conclusions Congenital dacryocystocele is a rare presentation in the United Kingdom. Dacryocystitis and respiratory compromise commonly complicate a dacryocystocele. The use of digital massage as an early intervention is advocated and conservative measures may be sufficient in cases of uncomplicated dacryocystocele