Editorial: Security and Privacy in Internet of Things

Mobile Networks and Applications -     

Thermal and structural behavior of milk fat. 1. Unstable species of anhydrous milk fat

The thermal and structural behavior of anhydrous milk fat (AMF) was studied by a technique that allowed simultaneous time-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction as a function of temperature (XRDT) and high sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to be carried out in the same apparatus from the same sample. In this paper (the first of a series), the less stable crystalline structures made by triacylglycerols (TG) of bulk AMF after its liquid quenching down to -8 degrees C are addressed The coexistence of two lamellar structures characterized by sharp long spacing reflections corresponding to well-defined 3L (70 A) and 2L (47 A) longitudinal stackings but broad short spacing lines related to poorly ordered hexagonal (alpha) lateral packing is shown for the first time, The bilayered structure was very unstable, since it disappeared during a 20-min isothermal recording. Simultaneous DSC and X-ray monitoring of AMF heating in the range -8, +50 degrees C at a rate of 2 degrees C/min allows the same sample to be followed on the evolution of these unstable forms to more stable varieties. The 3L stacking transforms into a new 2L crystalline structure characterized by broad LS reflections corresponding to a ill-defined 2L (37 A) longitudinal stacking but a more compact orthorhombic (beta') lateral packing. A delimitation of the domains of existence of the crystalline structures resulted from the comparison of detailed analysis of the evolutions of positions, intensities, and widths of X-ray peaks as a function of temperature to microcalorimetry recording.     

Multivariate analysis of maturity stages,including quality and aroma,in ‘Royal Glory’ peaches and ‘Big Top’ nectarines

Ethylene production, quality attributes and aroma compounds were analysed to determine the maturity evolution of ‘Big Top’ nectarines and ‘Royal Glory’ peaches at harvest dates ranging from 89 to 116 days after full bloom (DAFB) for nectarines and from 85 to 112 DAFB for peaches. These cultivars are highly coloured even in the early stages of maturity. However, the two cultivars had different patterns of ethylene production, this being slower in nectarines than in peaches. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to provide partial visualisation of the complete data set in a reduced dimension plot. Separation of the two cultivars can be shown by means of a two‐dimensional plot of the samples. Although only some aroma compounds are slightly correlated with quality parameters, when aroma volatiles were included in the PCA, the aroma compound set allowed both cultivars to be classified into three stages of maturity: immature, intermediate and fully mature. Compounds such as propanol, hexyl acetate, 2‐methylpropyl acetate, limonene, butanol, (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate, buthyl acetate, linalool, ethanol, propyl acetate and ethyl acetate are the most important volatiles for ‘Big Top’ nectarines. It is suggested that the presence of these compounds can be used to indicate when the fruit should be harvested. The presence of γ‐decalactone, δ‐octalactone, γ‐octalactone, ethyl butyrate, hexanal and (E)‐2‐hexenol can be used to indicate the harvesting maturity stage for ‘Royal Glory’ peaches. The optimum maturity date for harvest would be 105–107 DAFB for ‘Big Top’ nectarines and 93–95 DAFB for ‘Royal Glory’ peaches. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fully integrated MIXLER based on VHF CMOS-MEMS clamped-clamped beam resonator

The design and test of a fully integrated CMOS-MEMS-MIXLER, using a commercial technology (AMS 0.35 mum) is presented. The MEMS structure is basically a clamped-clamped beam resonator implemented with the polysilicon capacitance module of the selected technology, showing a fundamental lateral resonance frequency of 22.5 MHz. Two different approaches based, respectively, on the nonlinearity of the voltage against the excitation force and on the amplitude modulation of the excitation signal, have been proposed in order to operate the MEMS as a MIXLER     

Use of intravaginal progesterone-releasing inserts in a synchronization protocol before timed AI and for synchronizing return to estrus in Holstein heifers

Holstein heifers (n = 189) were submitted to a 42-d artificial insemination (AI) period in which they underwent AI after once-daily evaluation of rubbed tail chalk. At the onset of the AI period (d 0), heifers were assigned randomly to receive synchronization of ovulation and timed AI (TAI; d 0: 100 mug of GnRH; d 6: 25 mg of PGF(2alpha); d 8: 100 mug of GnRH + TAI) either without (GPG; n = 95), or with inclusion of a CIDR insert (CIDR; n = 94) from d 0 to 6. No CIDR heifers received AI before d 8 compared with 24% of GPG heifers, and pregnancy rate per AI (PR/AI) at 30 d after TAI did not differ between treatments. To synchronize return to estrus for heifers failing to conceive after TAI, heifers (n = 166) receiving TAI to first service were randomly assigned to receive no further treatment (control; n = 85) or receive a new CIDR insert between 14 and 20 d after TAI (Resynch; n = 81). No Resynch heifers received AI during CIDR treatment compared with 35% of control heifers, and the proportion of heifers receiving AI within 72 h after the day of CIDR removal was 78 vs. 50% for Resynch vs. control heifers, respectively. No treatment x inseminator interaction was detected at first or second AI; however, overall PR/AI was modest for heifers throughout the experiment due to poor performance of 2 of the 3 herd inseminators (14, 6, and 58% PR/AI, respectively). Inclusion of CIDR inserts suppressed estrus during the TAI protocol with no reduction in PR/ AI. Resynchronization of estrus using CIDR inserts resulted in tighter synchrony of estrus among nonpregnant heifers compared with untreated controls.     

Reproductive disruption in fish downstream from an estrogenic wastewater effluent

To assess the impact of an estrogenic wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent on fish reproduction, white suckers (Catostomus commersoni) were collected from immediately upstream and downstream (effluent site) of the city of Boulder, CO, WWTP outfall. Gonadal intersex, altered sex ratios, reduced gonad size, disrupted ovarian and testicular histopathology, and vitellogenin induction consistent with exposure to estrogenic wastewater contaminants were identified in white suckers downstream from the WWTP outfall and not at the upstream site. The sex ratio was female-biased at the effluent site in both the fall of 2003 and the spring of 2004; the frequency of males at the effluent site (17-21%) was half that of the upstream site (36-46%). Intersex white suckers comprised 18-22% of the population at the effluent site. Intersex fish were not found at the upstream site. Chemical analyses determined that the WWTP effluent contained a complex mixture of endocrine-active chemicals, including 17beta-estradiol (E2) 17alpha-ethynylestradiol, alkylphenols, and bisphenol A resulting in an estimated total estrogen equivalence of up to 31 ng E2 L(-1). These results indicate that the reproductive potential of native fishes may be compromised in wastewater-dominated streams.     

The role of mineralocorticoid receptors in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation in humans

In rodents, two types of glucocorticoid receptors, the mineralocorticoid (MR; type I) and the glucocorticoid (type II) receptors, have been demonstrated to play a role in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation. Because MR shows a very high affinity for cortisol, it has been suggested that MR plays an important role in restraint of CRH and ACTH secretion during the nadir of the circadian rhythm. Although a number of studies have established the importance of MR in rodents, the functional role of MR in humans has not been determined. These studies evaluated whether spironolactone, an MR antagonist, had a detectable effect on HPA axis regulation in humans, and whether the effect was greatest during the evening, when plasma cortisol concentrations are in the MR range. Compared to the placebo day, after a single dose of spironolactone at either 0800 or 1600 h, there is a significant increase in plasma cortisol, which is preceded by a rise in ACTH and beta-endorphin. A significant effect of spironolactone on cortisol secretion was demonstrated with no differences between the morning and evening. Because the effect of spironolactone on cortisol was short lived, a second experiment was conducted using two doses of spironolactone, again sampling in the morning and evening. After two doses of spironolactone, plasma cortisol levels showed a significant and sustained spironolactone-induced elevation for the entire sampling period. However, neither plasma beta-endorphin nor ACTH was increased compared to levels on the placebo day. These data suggest that MR appear to play a clear role in HPA axis regulation during the time of the circadian peak as well as the trough. Furthermore, MR blockade may affect the sensitivity of the adrenal to ACTH.     

Management of bronchobiliary fistula as a late complication of hepatic resection

Bronchobiliary fistula is an uncommon but remarkable complication after hepatic resection. The case reported illustrates the clinical presentation and preferred initial management of these fistulae. A 61-year-old white male underwent two wedge resections for colorectal metastases to the liver with removal of a portion of the right diaphragm. Four years later, he developed obstructive jaundice secondary to tumor recurrence in the porta hepatis, which required endoscopic stent placement, radiation, and chemotherapy. Almost 2 years later, he developed frank biliptysis. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) revealed occlusion of the common hepatic duct stent and a bronchobiliary fistula. With adequate reestablishment of common duct drainage, the patient rapidly improved and was discharged free of symptoms. Bronchobiliary fistulae are rare complications of hepatic resection that can present from days to years after operation. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and PTC are the diagnostic studies of choice and offer the possibility of therapeutic intervention. Although large series in the literature emphasize the surgical management of bronchobiliary fistulae, the reoperative procedures tend to be complicated, with a significant morbidity and mortality. Nonsurgical interventions via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or PTC are more recently notably successful when resolution of a distal biliary obstruction is accomplished. Only after aggressive attempts at nonoperative, interventional techniques have failed should operative approaches be entertained.     

Cryopreservation and culture of human corneal keratocytes

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of two different concentrations of albumin in a cryoprotective solution and two freezing methods on human corneal keratocyte ctyopreservation. METHODS: Isolated keratocytes were used for cryopreservation. Solutions of 10% dimethylsulfoxide with either 2% or 10% human albumin were used as cryoprotective agents. Cells either were transferred directly into a -80 degrees C freezer (freezing rate, 2 degrees C/min) or were cooled in a programmed freezer (1 degrees C/min until -40 degrees C and then 10 degrees C/min), which resulted in four different cryopreservation protocols. Cells were stored at -80 degrees C, then were thawed at 37 degrees C, and subsequently were cultured. Keratocytes were studied by means of trypan blue staining, growth assay, apoptosis assays, transmission electron microscopy, and immunochemistry. RESULTS: The percentage of cells that were alive after thawing ranged from 80% to 99% by trypan blue staining and from 45% to 60% by flow cytometry. The ratio of the number of living cells at the end of primary culture after cryopreservation to that before cryopreservation was significantly (P=0.04) higher after direct transfer into the -80 degrees C freezer than after controlled-rate freezing, whereas the albumin concentration had no significant influence on this ratio (P=0.45). The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly higher after cryopreservation than in the control group of noncryopreserved cells; more than 5% 24 hours after thawing. Cryopreservation did not modify the keratocyte ultrastructure. Fibroblast growth factor dramatically decreased the serum-induced cell expression of alpha smooth muscle actin, whereas cryopreservation had no influence on this cell expression. CONCLUSIONS: A freeze-thaw trauma, which was related to cryopreservation-induced cell apoptosis, was revealed during primary culture after thawing. Direct transfer into the -80 degrees C freezer resulted in better postcryopreservation growth in the culture than controlled-rate freezing. A change in albumin concentration from 2% to 10% did not affect the results.