cis-5-Monoenoic fatty acids in some chenopodiaceae seed oils

Methyl esters from seed oils of four Chenopodiaceae species are unusual in that they contain methylcis-5-hexadecenoate (4.6–12%) and methyl 5-octadecenoate (1.1–1.2%). There are indications of small amounts of 18∶2^5,9 and 18∶3^{5, 9, 12} along with unsaturated acids commonly found in seed oils-oleic (14–21%), linoleic (53–57%) and linolenic (3.5–7.8%). Fatty acid composition of the oils was determined by gas chromatography, and positions of the double bonds were established by application of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to the methoxylated methyl esters. N. Market. Nutr. Res. Div., ARS, USDA.     

TheTrans-6 fatty acids ofPicramnia sellowii seed oil

The C₁₈ monoenoic acids inPicramnia sellowii Planch. seed oil include bothcis-andtrans-6-octadecenoic acids, as well as oleic acid. The hexadecenoic acids are also thecis- andtrans-Δ6-isomers, and the eicosenoic acids have Δ6-unsaturation of undetermined geometric configuration. The C₁₈ polyenoic acids detected are 9,12- and 6,9-octadecadienoic and 9,12,15- and 6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acids. Partial investigation of another species,P. pentandra Sw., revealed its oil to have a similar fatty acid composition. Presented in part at AOCS Meeting, New York, October 1968. No. Utiliz. Res. Dev. Div., ARS, USDA.     

The acetylenic acid inComandra pallida andOsyris alba seed oils

Gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) analyses are reported for fatty acid methyl esters from seed oils of two previously unreported species of Santalaceae,Comandra pallida A. DC. andOsyris alba L. The major component in each (43 and 57%, respectively) is an enynoic acid, probablytrans-11-octadecen-9-ynoic (ximenynic) acid which has been found in seed oils of other members of this family. Equivalent chain lengths by GLC analysis and infrared and ultraviolet spectra agree with those obtained by our analyses ofXimenia americana L., in which ximenynic acid is known to occur. The spectral data also agree with those in literature reports on ximenynic acid. The positions of unsaturation have, however, not been rigorously established for the two species newly reported. A laboratory of the No. Utiliz. Res. & Dev. Div., ARS, U.S.D.A.     

From ecological to moral psychology: Morality and the psychology of Egon Brunswik.

Moral judgment and behavior are uniquely resistant to psychological analysis because morality generally is defined in terms that do not admit of psychological predication. Principal among these is the idea of freedom. An agent can act morally only on the condition that it is also free to do otherwise. The respective theoretical premises of C. Sunstein (1997) and E. Brunswik (1966) are contrasted in order to suggest that Brunswikian theory constitutes a distinct and highly promising new approach to the psychology of moral judgment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Method for production of polymer and carbon nanofibers from water-soluble polymers

Nanometer scale carbon fibers (carbon nanofibers) are of great interest to scientists and engineers in fields such as materials science, composite production, and energy storage due to their unique chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. Precursors currently used for production of carbon nanofibers are primarily from nonrenewable resources. Lignin is a renewable natural polymer existing in all high-level plants that is a byproduct of the papermaking process and a potential feedstock for carbon nanofiber production. The work presented here demonstrates a process involving the rapid freezing of an aqueous lignin solution, followed by sublimation of the resultant ice, to form a uniform network comprised of individual interconnected lignin nanofibers. Carbonization of the lignin nanofibers yields a similarly structured carbon nanofiber network. The methodology is not specific to lignin; nanofibers of other water-soluble polymers have been successfully produced. This nanoscale fibrous morphology has not been observed in traditional cryogel processes, due to the relatively slower freezing rates employed compared to those achieved in this study.     

Can retrograde cardioplegia alone provide adequate protection for cardiac valve surgery?

Pretreatment of rats with the extract of Ginkgo biloba termed EGb761 reduced the behavioral sensitization induced by successive D-amphetamine administrations (0.5 mg/kg) as estimated by increasing values of locomotor activity. EGb761 pretreatment also prevented the reduced density of [3H]dexamethasone binding sites in the dentate gyrus and the CA1 hippocampal regions of D-amphetamine treated animals. These observations suggest that EGb761, by reducing glucocorticoid levels, could modulate the activity of the neuronal systems involved in the expression of the behavioral sensitization.     

The Use of Modeling Methods in the Design of Electroheat Equipment

Modeling methods are considered as a means of solving the often complex electromagnetic field problems that occur in electroheat applications. The methods apply equally to one-, two-, and three-dimensional geometries. Modeling criteria are given for linear conductors in arbitrary field configurations, as well as for magnetic conductors in either tangential or arbitrary fields. The use of the models is discussed. Experimental results are given for the current distribution in an induction coil and for a high-current conductor near a magnetic plate.     

Computer-related posture and discomfort in primary school children: The effects of a school-based ergonomic intervention

This study investigated the effect of a school-based ergonomic intervention on childrens’ posture and discomfort while using computers using a pre/post test study design. The sample comprised 23 children age 9 and 10 years. Posture was assessed with Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and a workstation assessment was completed using a Visual Display Unit (VDU) checklist. Self reported discomfort was also recorded at the beginning and end of the computer class. Following an ergonomic intervention that included education of the children and workstation changes, the outcome measures were repeated. There was a positive response to the intervention with significant changes between the pre-intervention and post-intervention scores for posture (p = 0.00) and workstation (p = 0.00). The change in discomfort scores from beginning to end of the computer class between the pre-intervention class and the post-intervention class was also significant (p = 0.00). The study highlights the need for continuing concern about the physical effects of children’s computer use and the implications of school-based interventions.     

Determination of Young's Modulus in Chemically Vapor-Deposited SiC Coatings

Young's modulus of CVD and SiC coatings was measured in situ (on the substrate) using strain gage/flexure and dynamic resonance techniques. The average Young's moduli of CVD SiC from these techniques were 446 and 415 Gpa, respectively, and were considered to be in good agreement. The determination of a representative coating thickness and cross section is critical in order to accurately estimate Young's modulus of coatings.