Acoustical properties in inhaling singing : a case-study

A highly experienced versatile female professional singer displaying no apparent vocal complaint, developed inhaling singing, an innovative approach to reverse phonation. Although there are some reports in literature that describe the characteristics of ingressive phonation and sounds, to the best of our knowledge, no reports on actual inhaling singing are available in literature. This paper reports a case study on the acoustical analysis of inhaling singing, comparing this innovative technique with traditional exhaling singing. As this is rather undiscovered territory, we have decided to address several questions: is it possible to match the same pitches using inhaling singing compared to exhaling singing? Is the harmonic structure and energy distribution similar? Is it possible to maintain the same phonation duration in both techniques? Are there differences in volume and tessitura (vocal range)? This paper, reporting on the experience of one individual, demonstrates that a tessitura can be mastered in inhaling singing. Spectral analysis reveals a similar frequency distribution in both conditions. However, in inhaling singing the energy of the harmonics is significantly lower for the first 3 overtones, while the maximum phonation time is larger, than in exhaling singing. The singer reports that less effort is required for inhaling singing in the high register. As such, inhaling singing offers new possibilities for vocal performance

Quantification of extracellular proteases and chitinases from marine bacteria

A total of 92 marine bacteria belonging to Pseudomonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Psychrobacter, and Shewanella were first screened for their proteolytic activity. In total, four Pseudomonas strains belonging to Ps. fluorescens, Ps. fragi, Ps. gessardii, and Ps. marginalis; 14 Pseudoalteromonas strains belonging to Psa. arctica, Psa. carrageenovora, Psa. elyakovii, Psa. issachenkonii, Psa. rubra, Psa. translucida, and Psa. tunicata; and two Shewanella strains belonging to S. baltica and S. putrefaciens were identified to have a weak to high proteolytic activity (from 478 to 4445 mU/mg trypsin equivalent) against skim milk casein as protein source. Further chitinolytic activity screening based on these 20 proteolytic strains using colloidal chitin yielded five positive strains which were tested against three different chitin substrates in order to determine the various types of chitinases. Among the strains that can produce both proteases and chitinases, Psa. rubra DSM 6842T expressed not only the highest proteolytic activity (2558 mU/mg trypsin equivalent) but also the highest activity of exochitinases, specifically, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (6.33 mU/107 cfu) as well. We anticipate that this strain can be innovatively applied to the valorization of marine crustaceans side streams

Effectiveness of rotavirus vaccination in prevention of hospital admissions for rotavirus gastroenteritis among young children in Belgium : case-control study

Objective : To evaluate the effectiveness of rotavirus vaccination among young children in Belgium. Design : Prospective case-control study. Setting : Random sample of 39 Belgian hospitals, February 2008 to June 2010. Participants : 215 children admitted to hospital with rotavirus gastroenteritis confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and 276 age and hospital matched controls. All children were of an eligible age to have received rotavirus vaccination (that is, born after 1 October 2006 and aged >= 14 weeks). Main outcome measure : Vaccination status of children admitted to hospital with rotavirus gastroenteritis and matched controls. Results : 99 children (48%) admitted with rotavirus gastroenteritis and 244 (91%) controls had received at least one dose of any rotavirus vaccine (P= 12 months. The G2P[4] genotype accounted for 52% of cases confirmed by polymerase chain reaction with eligible matched controls. Vaccine effectiveness was 85% (64% to 94%) against G2P[4] and 95% (78% to 99%) against G1P[8]. In 25% of cases confirmed by polymerase chain reaction with eligible matched controls, there was reported co-infection with adenovirus, astrovirus and/or norovirus. Vaccine effectiveness against co-infected cases was 86% (52% to 96%). Effectiveness of at least one dose of any rotavirus vaccine (intention to vaccinate analysis) was 91% (82% to 95%). Conclusions : Rotavirus vaccination is effective for the prevention of admission to hospital for rotavirus gastroenteritis among young children in Belgium, despite the high prevalence of G2P[4] and viral co-infection

Intelligence and action agents: 185 years of state security

Tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog voelden talrijke Belgische burgers, mannen en vrouwen, van alle leeftijden en beroepsklassen, verontwaardigd door de bezetting van hun vaderland, zich geroepen om ‘iets’ te doen. Zij zouden uitgroeien tot een zeer bijzondere vorm van het Verzet. In totaal 18.716 erkende IAA – Inlichtingen en Actie Agenten, in 129 IAD – Inlichtingen en Actie Diensten, actief in het bezette België. Zij werden aangestuurd door de Veiligheid van de Staat in ballingschap te Londen, in samenwerking met de Britse diensten MI.6, MI.9 en SOE. Zij waren actief in: politieke, economische en militaire spionage; sabotage; psychologische oorlogsvoering; propaganda; ontsnappingslijnen; meteorologische inlichtingen; ondersteuning van gedwongen werkweigeraars; ... Minstens 4.000 van hen werden gearresteerd en 1.815 vermoord (neergeschoten, onthoofd, omgekomen in concentratiekampen ...). Dit boek brengt hun verhaal en geeft deze onbekende helden na 70 jaar een naam

The type and concentration of inoculum and substrate as well as the presence of oxygen impact the water kefir fermentation process

Eleven series of water kefir fermentation processes differing in the presence of oxygen and the type and concentration of inoculum and substrate, were followed as a function of time to quantify the impact of these parameters on the kinetics of this process via a modeling approach. Increasing concentrations of the water kefir grain inoculum increased the water kefir fermentation rate, so that the metabolic activity during water kefir fermentation was mainly associated with the grains. Water kefir liquor could also be used as an alternative means of inoculation, but the resulting fermentation process progressed slower than the one inoculated with water kefir grains, and the production of water kefir grain mass was absent. Substitution of sucrose with glucose and/or fructose reduced the water kefir grain growth, whereby glucose was fermented faster than fructose. Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (formerly known as Lactobacillus paracasei), Lentilactobacillus hilgardii (formerly known as Lactobacillus hilgardii), Liquorilactobacillus nagelii (formerly known as Lactobacillus nagelii), Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Dekkera bruxellensis were the main microorganisms present. Acetic acid bacteria were present in low abundances under anaerobic conditions and only proliferated under aerobic conditions. Visualization of the water kefir grains through scanning electron microscopy revealed that the majority of the microorganisms was attached onto their surface. Lactic acid bacteria and yeasts were predominantly associated with the grains, whereas acetic acid bacteria were predominantly associated with the liquor

Bovine blood biomarkers as a way of processed animal proteins detection in feedingstuffs

peer reviewedThe prohibition of using animal by-products in feedingstuffs depends on two factors: their nature defined by the tissue/cell type and the species of origin, and on their destination (pets, fur animals or other farmed animals). Proteomics is particularly well-suited to the purpose of PAPs detection as it is a tissue and species-specific method. The aim of this study was the identification and the selection of specific peptide biomarkers using tandem mass spectrometry for the detection of bovine blood products and blood meals in animal feed. Twenty-nine samples of blood meals and blood products (plasma or haemoglobin powder) of porcine, poultry and bovine origin as well as three milk products and two fish meals were analysed using a Q TOF mass spectrometer. Vegetal feed samples adulterated with 1% or 10% of bovine plasma powder, haemoglobin powder or blood meal were also analysed to evaluate the applicability of the method. Four proteins of interest were highlighted: Alpha-2-macroglobulin, apolipoprotein A-1, serotransferrin and haemoglobin (α and β chains). From these proteins, sixteen peptides were identified as potential bovine blood biomarkers in feedingstuffs. Nine of them could be used for the detection of plasma powder and seven of them for haemoglobin powder or blood meal. The evaluation of these peptides by a search against NCBInr database revealed that some of them could also be used to detect other ruminant bloods such as ovine or caprine ones. These preliminary results are promising. Efforts are now focused to improve the protocol in order to increase the sensitivity of the method as regards the selected proteins

The influence of superabsorbent polymers and nanosilica on the hydration process and microstructure of cementitious mixtures

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are known to mitigate the development of autogenous shrinkage in cementitious mixtures with a low water-to-cement ratio. Moreover, the addition of SAPs promotes the self-healing ability of cracks. A drawback of using SAPs lies in the formation of macropores when the polymers release their absorbed water, leading to a reduction of the mechanical properties. Therefore, a supplementary material was introduced together with SAPs, being nanosilica, in order to obtain an identical compressive strength with respect to the reference material without additives. The exact cause of the similar compressive behaviour lies in the modification of the hydration process and subsequent microstructural development by both SAPs and nanosilica. Within the present study, the effect of SAPs and nanosilica on the hydration progress and the hardened properties is assessed. By means of isothermal calorimetry, the hydration kinetics were monitored. Subsequently, the quantity of hydration products formed was determined by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy, revealing an increased amount of hydrates for both SAP and nanosilica blends. An assessment of the pore size distribution was made using mercury intrusion porosimetry and demonstrated the increased porosity for SAP mixtures. A correlation between microstructure and the compressive strength displayed its influence on the mechanical behaviour

Occurence and characterisation of biofilms in drinking water systems of broiler houses

Background: Water quality in the drinking water system (DWS) plays an important role in the general health and performance of broiler chickens. Conditions in the DWS of broilers are ideal for microbial biofilm formation. Since pathogens might reside within these biofilms, they serve as potential source of waterborne transmission of pathogens to livestock and humans. Knowledge about the presence, importance and composition of biofilms in the DWS of broilers is largely missing. In this study, we therefore aim to monitor the occurrence, and chemically and microbiologically characterise biofilms in the DWS of five broiler farms. Results: The bacterial load after disinfection in DWSs was assessed by sampling with a flocked swab followed by enumerations of total aerobic flora (TAC) and Pseudomonas spp. The dominant flora was identified and their biofilm-forming capacity was evaluated. Also, proteins, carbohydrates and uronic acids were quantified to analyse the presence of extracellular polymeric substances of biofilms. Despite disinfection of the water and the DWS, average TAC was 6.031.53 log CFU/20cm(2). Enumerations for Pseudomonas spp. were on average 0.88 log CFU/20cm(2) lower. The most identified dominant species from TAC were Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas geniculata and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However at species level, most of the identified microorganisms were farm specific. Almost all the isolates belonging to the three most abundant species were strong biofilm producers. Overall, 92% of all tested microorganisms were able to form biofilm under lab conditions. Furthermore, 63% of the DWS surfaces appeared to be contaminated with microorganisms combined with at least one of the analysed chemical components, which is indicative for the presence of biofilm. Conclusions: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas geniculata and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are considered as opportunistic pathogens and could consequently be a potential risk for animal health. Additionally, the biofilm-forming capacity of these organisms could promote attachment of other pathogens such as Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp