Variability in distortion product otoacoustic emissions among normal ears

This paper studies the relationship between hearing sensitivity and the presence of otoacoustic emissions by examining the variability of same ear emissions in a group of normal-hearing subjects.

Effects of time averaging on noise floor in distortion product otoacoustic emissions

This paper examines distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) used to test peripheral auditory function, and how noise level in the ear affects the detectability of DPOAEs. The study examines the clinical feasibility of different time averages at different frequencies on the noise floor.

Measurement of distortion product emissions in chinchilllas

This paper is a review of a study on distortion product emissions in normal hearing chinchillas.

Changes in distortion-product otoacoustic emissions in chinchilla after intermittent noise exposure

This paper discusses the distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) of chinchillas when exposed to noise.

Distortion product otoacoustic emissions in the bullfrog

Recovery of distortion product otoacoustic emissions in the bullfrog after noise exposure does not correlate with hair cell damage noted on the amphibian papilla.

Rational conversion of substrate and product specificity in a Salvia monoterpene synthase: structural insights into the evolution of terpene synthase function

Terpene synthases are responsible for the biosynthesis of the complex chemical defense arsenal of plants and microorganisms. How do these enzymes, which all appear to share a common terpene synthase fold, specify the many different products made almost entirely from one of only three substrates? Elucidation of the structure of 1,8-cineole synthase from Salvia fruticosa (Sf-CinS1) combined with analysis of functional and phylogenetic relationships of enzymes within Salvia species identified active-site residues responsible for product specificity. Thus, Sf-CinS1 was successfully converted to a sabinene synthase with a minimum number of rationally predicted substitutions, while identification of the Asn side chain essential for water activation introduced 1,8-cineole and alpha-terpineol activity to Salvia pomifera sabinene synthase. A major contribution to product specificity in Sf-CinS1 appears to come from a local deformation within one of the helices forming the active site. This deformation is observed in all other mono- or sesquiterpene structures available, pointing to a conserved mechanism. Moreover, a single amino acid substitution enlarged the active-site cavity enough to accommodate the larger farnesyl pyrophosphate substrate and led to the efficient synthesis of sesquiterpenes, while alternate single substitutions of this critical amino acid yielded five additional terpene synthases.

Consumption of welfare-friendly food products in Great Britain, Italy and Sweden, and how it may be influenced by consumer attitudes to, and behaviour towards, animal welfare attributes

The interest in animal welfare and welfare-friendly food products has been increasing in Europe over the last 10 years. The media, highlighting traditional farming methods and food scares such as those related to salmonella, bovine spongiform encephalopathy/variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (BSE) and avian influenza, have brought the methods of animal farming to public attention. Concerns about farm animal welfare are reflected in the increase in the number of vegetarians and vegans and an increase in consumers wishing to purchase food which is more animal welfare-friendly. This paper considers consumers’ attitudes to animal welfare and to marketing practices, such as product labelling, welfare grading systems and food assurance marks using comparative data collected in a survey of around 1500 consumers in each of Great Britain, Italy and Sweden as part of the EU-funded Welfare Quality research project. The findings suggest a need for the provision of improved consumer information on the welfare provenance of food using appropriate product labelling and other methods.